If you’ve ever felt the pressure of trying to get test cases built and out to business users ahead of a software update deadline, you’re not alone – a recent poll concluded that test managers everywhere are struggling with the same problem. Luckily, there are ways in which businesses can leave the tensions of the ticking clock behind.
Time constraints are the biggest testing challenge
Inspired by a recent poll at MUGA conference in the US, Original Software ran a LinkedIn poll to learn more about what challenges people face when it comes to testing. Sixty percent of the 500 surveyed said time and deadlines were their biggest challenges.
With that in mind, the next logical question is “what is taking the most time?” The data from MUGA reveals that the most time-consuming activity in testing is building new test cases, with nearly half of respondents rating it their most time-consuming activity.
It makes sense. After all, building new test cases can be a very long-winded process. First, is identifying the process that needs to be tested. Depending on how many apps integrate with each other, the volume of processes could be larger than expected. The next step is identifying and documenting the steps for each test – typically by shadowing a business user.
Before any testing can be conducted, however, the test data needs to be prepared. Once it is, the user needs to conduct the test itself – either by using manual testing software if available, or by using new software in a dev environment.
If the process changes due to a software update or to the business changing the process, a test case will have to be rebuilt. Worst of all the only way firms can be 100 percent confident that a test case works is to use it for real. If there are any issues with the test case itself, you’ve got to go back a few steps – or start again – to fix it. All of which can put deadlines in jeopardy.
What’s the secret to easing the pressure?
Insights gained from the data gathered at MUGA unveils that four fifths of testing professionals either have no specialized tools to manage testing, or no formal process for testing at all. If creating and managing test cases is taking up time, Original Software expertise says this is the place to start. To demonstrate what we mean, here’s a comparison of the process we outlined above and that same process, supported by the right software.
A testing platform, like Original Software, can record a business user as they go about their daily operations, which can make it easier to identify processes that need to be tested. By recording processes, converting them into manual test cases can be quicker. Specialist testing software makes the process smoother and faster, with feedback being gathered more consistently.
Value can be realized by using tools dedicated to manual testing. Users can build test cases quickly and with confidence, as the test builds will be based on actual work from said user. The other part of the value in using a dedicated manual-testing platform is that test cases aren’t built in isolation. Once they’re built and on the platform, users can track the tests that business users are performing, even looking at specific feedback in just a few clicks rather than searching through emails and spreadsheets. This leads to even more time that can be saved throughout the testing process.
By making the user experience a lot easier to navigate, testing will naturally be carried out at a faster pace and, with the constant stream of feedback, less time will be needed to clarify feedback for confused developers. When all business data can be accessed from a single platform, it’s a lot easier to convert manual tests to automated processes. Fromt his single platform, there’s no more need to delve into different, disparate systems to examine the testing process progression.
Using a robust testing platform, like Original Software, companies have managed to reduce their testing times by 50 percent, by 75 percent and 95 percent. By taking control of the software testing process and enhancing it with more versatile software, time can be saved across entire business operations.
