Software testing is a critical part of quality assurance (QA) and can be influenced by various factors. Unstructured testing without sufficient planning often harbors risks, both for the test processes and for the documentation of results and transfer to development. Unclear requirements for the software can also lead to problems, as testers then do not know exactly what is to be tested. In addition, inadequate communication within the team often leads to misunderstandings and errors in the testing process. To minimize these risks, it is important to develop clear test strategies, communicate regularly and carefully maintain the test documentation.
As a Cologne-based company, we find individual solutions for effective software testing. In our digital QA consultation, we are prepared to answer questions about software testing and help to identify solutions and assess the effort and potential for QA. In our blog post, we address the questions we are asked most frequently.
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Manual vs. automated software testing: Which method for your QA?
User research: When should the user's perspective be included in testing?
Agile Testing: How does QA succeed in the agile software development process?
IoT testing: how do you test connected products?
Accessibility testing: What should you know about accessibility testing?
Conclusion: Recognizing and classifying risks - how to solve your QA challenge
Manual vs. automated software testing: Which method for your QA?
Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses that need to be taken into account, especially when it comes to the risks and side effects of software testing.
Manual testing
allows you to directly experience the user experience and bring human intuition into the testing process. Manual testing can be time consuming and requires a thorough understanding of test planning and appropriate device selection or browser combinations.
Test automation
on the other hand, offers speed and efficiency. By using specialized software tools, repeatable tests can be performed quickly, increasing test coverage and minimizing the risks of regression. However, setting up test automation requires an initial investment in time and resources.
The choice between these two methods should be based on the specific requirements of the project. Factors that help in deciding which method to choose are:
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Complexity of the tests Manual tests are often useful for exploratory tests that require human judgment and flexibility, or when new features need to be tested quickly. Automated tests, on the other hand, are ideal for repeatable, standardized test cases, such as regression tests, where consistency and scalability are paramount. |
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Test frequency Functions that need to be tested regularly benefit from automation, as this saves time and resources in the long term. |
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Budget Automated tests initially require higher investments in the development of test scripts, but pay for themselves with frequent test runs. |
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Stability of the software In an early development phase, when the product is constantly changing, manual testing can be more flexible. |
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User research: When should the user's perspective be included in testing?
The user's perspective is always of central importance. User research plays a crucial role, because only if you understand how your target group interacts with your software can you identify potential risks and errors at an early stage. It's not just about collecting feedback; it's about immersing yourself in the needs and expectations of your users. Through targeted interviews and usability tests, you can find out first-hand which functions are appreciated and where potential stumbling blocks lurk.
In the planning phase
Especially in the planning phase, feedback from end users can help to define requirements more clearly and ensure that the software meets their needs and expectations.
During development
During development and usability testing, incorporating the user perspective is crucial to ensure that usability, navigation and interaction are intuitive. Especially in agile development approaches such as Scrum or Kanban, where regular iterations take place, user feedback can be obtained after each major version or feature development in order to react quickly to problems or change requests.
Before the release
Even before the final release, the user perspective can be used in the form of beta tests or focus groups to uncover potential weaknesses in the real application scenario. This ensures that the software not only works technically flawlessly, but also offers users real added value in everyday use.
See through the user perspective: How to avoid bias in the usability test
Agile Testing: How does QA succeed in the agile software development process?
QA in every development phase
Quality assurance in the agile software development process requires close integration of testing and development as well as continuous collaboration between teams. Instead of performing QA only at the end, as in the classic waterfall model, the agile process ensures quality at every stage of development. The combination of manual and automated tests plays a central role here and is integrated into continuous integration and deployment to ensure that new code changes do not affect existing functions.
Test planning as part of sprint planning
Another key to success is early and regular testing. Ideally, test cases are defined at the beginning of sprint planning, often in parallel with feature development, so that QA measures are not seen as an afterthought but as an integral part of the sprint. Agile teams also promote cross-functionality, with developers, testers and other stakeholders working closely together and taking joint responsibility for quality.
Integrating user perspectives and feedback
In addition, the user perspective is integrated through regular feedback loops and reviews to ensure that requirements are continuously met. Short iterations, regular retrospectives and a willingness to respond to feedback ensure that quality is always a priority.
IoT testing: how do you test connected products?
The challenges
Testing IoT products brings with it a host of new challenges, as networked devices often operate in complex and dynamic environments. Not only must the functionality and security of each individual device be tested, but also the interoperability and communication capability in a network. Unforeseeable risks such as network interruptions or security gaps can have serious consequences.
Testing the connection in many networks
One factor in testing is connectivity. Connections across different networks (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, etc.) must be tested under different conditions to ensure that the device communicates stably, regardless of signal strength or interference. Interoperability is also an important factor. Connected products often interact with other devices and platforms, making it necessary to test compatibility with different operating systems, protocols and devices.
Don't forget user-friendliness
Finally, usability must also be tested. The entire ecosystem of connected products - from mobile apps to cloud platforms and interaction with the physical device - must work intuitively and smoothly. To ensure this, end-to-end tests are necessary in which the entire user experience is checked in the context of networking.
Accessibility testing: What should you know about accessibility testing?
Accessibility is not only an ethical imperative, but also a legal and business factor that plays a role in software testing. In our blog article, we have uncovered the four most common myths about accessibility testing.
Here are some key aspects that need to be considered during accessibility testing:
- Guidelines and standards: An important starting point are internationally recognized standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which define in various conformity levels (A, AA, AAA) how digital content should be designed in order to be accessible. In many countries, there are also legal requirements, such as the Disability Equality Act (BGG) in Germany.
- Consider the diversity of users: Accessibility tests should take different user groups into account. This includes, for example, screen reader users, people with visual impairments who are dependent on larger font sizes or high contrasts, as well as people with motor impairments who use alternative input methods such as keyboard control or voice commands.
- Manual and automated tests: Automated tools such as WAVE or Axe can detect basic accessibility issues, such as missing alternative text for images or insufficient contrast. However, manual testing is essential to evaluate the actual user experience, for example by simulating keyboard and screen reader use or with the help of feedback from people with disabilities.
- User experience and usability: Accessibility goes beyond technical requirements. The user experience must be designed in such a way that navigation and interaction are intuitive and accessible. For example, the order of content should be logical and comprehensible, and interactive elements such as forms and buttons must be easy to use for all users.
- Continuous testing: Accessibility should not be seen as a one-off task. It is important to carry out accessibility tests regularly and iteratively, especially for major design changes or updates. This ensures that new functions also remain accessible.
By integrating accessibility testing into the development process from the outset, barriers for people with disabilities can be effectively removed and an inclusive digital experience can be created for all users.
Conclusion: Recognizing and classifying risks - how to solve your QA challenge
Recognizing risks in software testing at an early stage and classifying them correctly helps to save time and costs in the long term and to use quality assurance in a targeted manner. Identifying and assessing potential problems can be complex and challenging, especially with rapidly changing requirements and technologies. As a Cologne-based QA provider with ten years of experience in software testing, we know what is important. Our QA consultation offers you non-binding support to precisely analyze these risks and develop effective strategies to mitigate them. We work together to assess your software testing challenges and find solutions.
