Whether we’re talking about scientists, engineers, chefs or even us, normal people - we’ve all been testers at some point in our lives. After all, we wouldn’t be able to perfect the end-product without verifying its quality at multiple stages. Similarly, testing finds its perfect fit within the software development cycle. As developers dive deep into lines of code, testers become the guardians of quality, ensuring that requirements are met and the user experience is smooth. So it goes without saying that software testing is crucial and cannot be overlooked.
The testing process is tightly integrated with the software development cycle and it is also affected by the delivery method used in the project. While there are multiple routes with which project goals could be achieved, two approaches - traditional and Agile - can be recognized immediately, both of which influence the workflow of the testing process and its placement in the whole development cycle.
Choosing the traditional path allows for a more rigid framework, where testing becomes the very last step, as the previous phases of development need to be completed before moving forward. This way, a clear structure of the project is created, limiting the probability of chaos and the rise of mistakes. On the other hand, if any changes are to be made, it is next to impossible to implement and address them immediately. In this scenario, the overwhelmed QA team is bound to miss deadlines and sacrifices have to be made in the long-run.
Agile methodology flips this narrative completely, as development environments tend to be more dynamic and flexible - a complete opposite to the traditional ways. Here, testing happens at every stage of development and is continuous for every iteration of the development cycle. With the testing process running simultaneously with the development, no time is lost because of waiting for the completion of the previous phase. The teams work hand in hand, constantly moving the production forward and as a result the release cycles are shortened. But how does the quickness affect the quality of the end-product? Against all odds, the quality can be significantly increased, as the defects are detected much earlier and the chances of carrying over bugs to the product-launch are minimized.
Undeniably, the benefits of Agile are present, but the QA teams embarking on this journey should keep in mind the principles of Agile testing. Although these rules are not necessarily fixed in stone, testers can treat them as guidelines amidst the controlled chaos of Agile.
Positive customer experiences with the product are always in the heart of every project. They should not be forgotten, even in testing. After all, it’s the testing teams who validate whether the software will meet the base requirements of users.
The Agile methodology requires testers to be extremely flexible and be able to quickly adjust to the ongoing changes in the project. This dynamic environment also enforces teams to constantly prioritize and make sure that their work aligns with the goals. As a result, must-have tests always take priority.
In such fast-paced projects, teams cannot afford to have miscommunication issues. Collaboration is at the center of their work - testers need to share feedback and test results with developers, without any interruptions. During team meetings, they update their daily plans, making sure that the end-goal is within their reach and that the stages of the development process flow smoothly together.
With those values in mind, testing in Agile becomes its own lifecycle of sorts. The created, continuous loop consists of planning, executions and schedule adjustments. In these scenarios, teams don’t only consist of developers and testers, as they can easily engage product owners or stakeholders, etc. So how does this cycle look like?
The first step to testing is the definition of requirements. At this stage, teams review user stories and gather product input from stakeholders. Once the acceptance criteria are in the clear, they get divided into requirements.
All parties involved design how the software will be validated against requirements. Together, they prepare a testing schedule, outline the process and set expected results.
Teams meet everyday to share updates regarding testing status and adjust their plans if necessary. By allocating the regular and frequent meeting time in their schedules, they ensure a smooth information flow. With priorities set daily, everyone can quickly adapt to any changes and the risk of falling behind is reduced.
Testing is intertwined with the development process - once the feature is complete, there’s no reason to wait, the testing starts immediately. The progress is also constantly monitored by other team-members, such as stakeholders, in order to make sure that the reality matches the theoretical plans.
The final stage is the review of discovered defects in terms of severity and impact on the software. Bugs are usually fixed within the same cycle and once the product passes the final check-ups, it’s time to verify whether it is ready for a release and to decide what are the next steps.
Put together, these five stages complete the Agile testing cycle and set the dynamic pace of the whole process.
While the Agile approach may seem like a revolution, because of the collaboration mindset, continuous delivery and rapid feedback - at base, it remains grounded in the core principles of software testing. Moreover, Agile testing principles that were just described align closely with the seven principles of testing, introduced by the International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB). To start, both sets of guidelines put emphasis on the reduced risks and costs that early testing brings. Similarly, both recognize that exhaustive testing is an impossible goal and testers are encouraged to prioritize tasks based on the current situation. On the final note, according to ISTQB principles, as well as the Agile ones, testing intends to show the presence of defects, not their lack. Agile methodologies bring this concept to life with frequent feedback loops and continuous iteration.
The speed and controlled chaos of Agile push QA teams towards implementation of a test management tool. It becomes a necessity, as a well-fitted tool can enhance testers daily workflow and make sure that the whole process is traceable. Atlassian Jira is an Agile project management tool and seems to be the most natural choice for the QA teams - they want to join others, where the whole software development process is documented. While Jira can be customized to the needs of testers, even customization has its limits - not to mention, it is just overwhelming. This is where test management apps come in, and if done correctly, they do save the day. By putting such a tool to work, teams can meet the goals of Agile testing easier - they collaborate without silos, streamline the overall process and in the end, deliver the product faster. Ideally the QA team will find a tool that adjusts to their way of working and doesn’t limit their abilities. Selecting the right test management solution can be a decisive step toward improving collaboration, ensuring full traceability, and accelerating delivery within Agile environments. Appsvio Test Management (ATM) offers a seamless, fully integrated option - explore the app and see how it aligns with the team’s needs.
As we're just launching ATM, join us for a webinar to find out whether Test Management in Jira can actually be simple. Save your spot and see ATM in action!
When? 🗓️ June 24th, 2:00 PM (PDT).
The Agile approach redefines the place of software testing in the development cycle, making it an ongoing process, not a singular step. The focus is shifted on team-collaboration, adaptability, early feedback and testers gain a chance to deliver high-quality software in a shorter amount of time. By understanding principles and lifecycle of Agile testing, teams’ efforts can be better aligned with the project goals - all resulting in a final product that truly meets users expectations. As Agile continues to shape modern development, mastering its testing practices may be no longer optional, but essential.