10 key steps of the software testing process

Software failures can be quite costly, both in terms of money and reputation. Records show that the average cost of a software failure is around $1.56 trillion, and according to the 1:10:100 rule, it’s going to cost 100 times more to fix this failure after it has been released than during the development stage. 

So how can you minimize the chances of software failure? By sending your software for testing before launching it into the market. 

Software testing is a vital part of the software development process that helps ensure that the software is free of bugs and functions as intended. 

So what does this process involve exactly? The following are 10 QA testing steps you should know.

Planning and requirements analysis

The first step in this process is planning and requirements analysis. This is where the project manager or QA team will identify the process’s goals and the software’s requirements. This helps the team create a plan that covers all aspects of the product.

It also includes planning how the test will be executed. This means figuring out how much money should be spent, how many people should be involved, how many hours it would take, and when the findings need to be provided.

• Test case development

Once the goals and requirements have been identified, the next step is to develop the test cases. 

Test cases are specific scenarios that will be used to evaluate the software. This involves outlining a step-by-step process for carrying out the checks, the expected outcomes, the actual results, and whether they were successful or unsuccessful. 

They should be designed to cover as many different areas of the software as possible.

• Environment setup

Before the actual assessment can begin, the test environment must be set up and configured. This includes the hardware, software, and frameworks for executing developed test cases.

To ensure the process runs smoothly, the team must have everything they need—from bug reporting tools to a supporting architecture. If the environment is unsuitable, the QA team might be unable to perform their duties.

• Test implementation and execution

Once the environment is ready, the team can begin implementing and executing the test cases. Here, the team ensures the executable code matches the software requirements and, consequently, the design specifications.

Results analysis

After execution, the results are analyzed to determine whether the software works as intended and meets the requirements. This stage can help developers learn the root cause of the failures and develop a plan for resolving them in subsequent releases.

• Defect bug reporting and tracking

When a defect or bug is identified, it is reported and tracked to ensure that it is addressed. This is typically done using a defect-tracking system like Jira, which allows developers to track and collaborate on issues. A proper bug/ defect tracking system will ensure that defects don’t go unnoticed and that they are addressed on time.

• Status reporting

Here, the status of the software testing steps carried out is reported to all relevant parties, such as project managers, developers, and stakeholders. A status report typically contains a list of information about the number of defects discovered, the number of executions, and the overall progress of the process. 

• Closure

When the procedure is finished, it is critical to properly close it out. This includes verifying that all product criteria have been met, tying up loose ends, documenting what has been learned, and ensuring that all stakeholders are satisfied with the outcomes.

• Test Maintenance

The software testing life cycle steps do not end with the release of the product. For the product to continue to meet user expectations and perform as expected, maintenance testing must be carried out regularly. This includes regularly checking for errors and fixing them as they are found.

• Continuous integration

Continuous Integration (CI) is an approach used by developers and testers to automate their evaluation processes. It is the practice of automatically merging code changes from different developers into a shared repository. 

CI allows for early detection and fixing of errors. This means that developers can build their projects continuously instead of waiting for every revision to be reviewed. Instead, every committed revision activates an automated build and test.

Final thoughts

There you have it. 10 Key steps in the process of software testing. It is important to stress here that each step is important and works together to ensure the quality of the software product.

Looking to improve the efficiency of your software process? 

Contact us at aqua cloud. Our quality assurance management tool may be just what you need.

Request more information today.

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