Agile Testing: Optimized Approach for Perfection
Agile is an iterative development methodology which means taking actions on development and assessment simultaneously. Quality checking is not a separate phase. Coding and its checking are both completed in the interactive mode and done gradually. This means the final product is of high quality and complies with all the client requirements. In addition, the long-lasting continuous integration leads to the early fixing of faults. As a result, the entire team saves time, effort and costs on development.
Agile Testing is a software verification process that follows the principles of flexible software development.
Agile software testing involves all the project participants with specific experience provided by QA specialists. In this case, product checking is not a separate phase. It is closely connected with all other development stages, such as requirements, design, coding, assessment set generation, etc. The software is being checked throughout the entire development cycle.
Besides, the participation of QA testers in all creation cycles together with cross-functional team members makes allows them to contribute to the creation of a software application according to the customer requirements with the improved design and code.
This approach covers all levels and types of assessment.
Agile Principles in QA: Complete List
Of course, each methodology needs to have some foundation and framework. Here are the principles of flexible assessment:
- It promotes the project progressing. Non-stop error checking is the only way to maintain continuous successful development. The principles guarantee constant feedback, so the final product is aligned with the business needs.
- It is not a stage. The team checks the product on the go together with the developers to make sure that the function’s implementation during the current iteration is actually completed.
- Everyone’s busy. During the process, the entire team is engaged in crowd testing QA of the application, including analysts, developers and QA specialists as well. Even the client participates in the acceptance procedure after each iteration is done.
- Feedback cycles are shortened. The business team is aware about each development iteration and participates in each of them. Constant feedback connection reduces response time. As a result, it takes less time to eliminate the defect.
- Clear code. All the defects are fixed as they appear in the same iteration. This is a guarantee that the code remains clear at all stages of development.
- Light documents. Instead of huge documentation packs,
- Use multiple checklists to suggest checkpoints;
- Focus on the main point, not on random details and parts;
- Use light instruments and documentation styles;
- Save ideas for checking in the charts for trial assessments;
- Use documents for multiple purposes.
- The same element is used for agile test automation and manual check. This excludes the need for both manual and automated assessment documentation.
- Ready means “Finished”, not just “Completed”. They say that in Agile, the function is ready not after the development itself, but after the development and assessment stages.
- Test-Last vs. Test-Driven. Cases are created together with the requirements. Consequently, the development is caused by the app verification. This is the main difference of exploratory testing in Agile from regular Waterfall testing.
Agile Methodology in Testing: How It Is Done
There are several flexible methodologies supporting flexible development. Here are some types of Agile methodology in software testing.
Scrum
It is a method of organizing the QA process that affects a team-oriented approach. This means that the entire team is involved in all project-related activities.
XP
The eXtreme programming is oriented at customers and their regularly changing requirements. Using frequent releases and available user feedback, the product will be quality assured and tested, satisfying their needs which will become clearer during the process.
FDD
Feature Driven Development (FDD) includes design and assembly of elements. The difference is that functions are made separately at the sprint stages.
Regression Testing in Agile: Is it Possible?
Yes.
Moreover, the methodology makes regression assessment very important for the whole cycle. It proves stability well, and at the same time it serves as a tool allowing the team to focus on the ongoing sprint and its functions.
Of course, the temptation to use existing cases as regression is high, but is is not very effective due to duplication the same circumstances and errors. Instead, it would be wiser and more efficient to come up with new cases reflecting critical business processes.
Transition from the very beginning is especially effective when it comes to applying the mentioned methods to existing practices. In case of regression check, we mean the following:
- It is a guarantee of business function continuity.
- It is a way for the team to concentrate on the sprint and the required functions, along with supporting the overall process stability.
- The team should use continuous execution and assessment automation.
- Knowing the functional and regression check differences is crucial for the team to avoid making certain common mistakes.
Agile Test Strategy: Advantages
So, why is this verification approach beneficial? Here is a straight-to-the-point list of advantages provided by Agile testing:
- Customer needs are satisfied due to the fast, non-stop, total product check and feedback.
- Users, developers and people responsible for the QA process of all types of testing in Agile constantly interact with each which reduces the cycle time.
- The Agile model in testing assumes that people with special experience participate in defining requirements to focus on things that actually work.
- The whole team avoids mistakes because of consolidated assessment models and requirements.
- The team pays constant attention to the product quality.
- The boosted “Ready” status definition guarantees the requirements to be met.
- Stable feedback on each delay or block makes decision-making easier and possible for every team member to contribute his efforts and ideas.
- Quick response to changing requirements.
- Regressive checks based on non-stop integration.
- No delays between the stages of creation and evaluation.
- Automated testing applied in the early development stages to save more time and effort.
We sincerely hope that this article has helped you to improve your software creation algorithms. There is no perfection, but one can try getting to it as close as possible by organizing the QA process in Agile to carry out any related procedure.
It works for anything that needs assessment, including website quality assurance, UI and usability testing research. The point is to know and correctly use the relevant principles.
