Software-Tests

Why software testing is as important as software development

Tech // Lilli Ahner-Wetzel // Sep 23, 2018
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Software tests are an important component and success factor of software development. If test management is carried out correctly, important software errors can be avoided in advance with the help of testing and the high quality of the software can be ensured.

CAN SOFTWARE TESTING SAVE LIVES?

If you recall reports of spectacular recalls from car companies such as Ford, Nissan and GM, the answer to this question is definitely yes.

But even when no life is at stake, errors in software development can cause high losses: directly, by not charging prices, as is the case with Starbucks, or indirectly, when a feature does not deliver what it promises and the disappointed customer eventually turns his back on the company.

Therefore, it is no surprise that testing is always taken into account in software development projects today.

The goal is to check the software for the following criteria to ensure its high quality:

  • Correctness
  • Completeness
  • User-friendliness (usability)

Methods of software testing

In order to proceed correctly here, it is important that no isolated solutions are tested, but that an overview of all software releases affecting the target group is maintained and a sequence of four steps is observed:

Grafische Darstellung der Phasen von Testing

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

The first step is thorough preparation.

Tallence AG tests in the areas of telecommunications products, member models, and tourism, among others. For this, customer profiles, number ranges, and email addresses must be specifically made available for testing purposes. What sounds simple is a challenge for many companies, but at the very least it requires a certain amount of time.

Yet here the motto applies “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” applies.

TEST MANAGEMENT (PREPARATION, PLANNING, DESIGN)

This is followed by test management, where test objectives and resulting test cases are defined. It is also important to discuss the time (and thus financial) scope with the software development project managers at this point at the latest.

What type of tests (component test, system test, integration test, E2E test) are necessary and what scope is planned for them must be determined here.

TEST EXECUTION – AUTOMATED AND MANUAL

Afterwards it goes to “real” testing. Here we distinguish between automated and manual testing.

In automated testing, for example, robots can be used to imitate the operation of a touch screen, or human user behaviour can be tested by using emulators and sequence scripts.

However, when it comes to newer fields such as error-free speech recognition, it is important that “real” people speak to the machine to test the software and train the algorithms at a young stage.

Whether automated or manual, it is important that the test cases cover the defined requirements. This is where prioritisation coordinated with the software development and the business side proves to be useful.

The goal is to be able to test in the areas of

  • Installation
  • Function
  • Application
  • Maintenance

to achieve the highest possible test coverage.

BUG FIXING / BUG FIX

After all, it’s about passing on the test results for bug fixing. We usually transfer our test results directly to a Jira-based ticketing system.

In doing so, the tester already provides initial information from the test:

  • What was done?
  • What was expected?
  • What is the actual result?
  • What is the initial assessment (e.g. critical or initially negligible)?

Testing at Tallence AG

For five years now, Terence has been working as a Senior Consultant at Tallence AG, where he is responsible for the growing testing tasks. When asked about the skills that a successful software tester must have, he doesn’t hesitate for long: thoroughness, patience, an affinity for technology, and a portion of creativity are essential. Only in this way is it possible to keep an eye on larger contexts and to put oneself in the customer’s shoes as the ultimate user.

As Tallence AG, we have already optimised and secured the results for our customers and end users in more than 100 test projects. Our testers are ISTQB-certified and meet the highest standards.

We would be happy to discuss the potential of your business with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are also always looking for new talent and offer exciting jobs for prospective and experienced software testers.