What Does Early Testing Entail?
Early Testing refers to starting the software testing procedure at the onset of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This progressive method aids in the early detection and removal of errors during the early phases of SDLC, like the requirement collection and the design stage. By starting testing at an early stage, the quantity of defects can be reduced which consequently minimizes the cost of rectifying issues at later stages.
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This informative handbook explains the many aspects of Early Testing that would be beneficial to QA Managers and Leads as they prepare the Testing Strategy document for SDLC.
Implementing Early Testing substantially contributes to the successful delivery of a high-quality product.
By completing this tutorial, Readers, QA Managers, Leads, and Testers will have a thorough understanding of the following concepts:
- The significance of Early Testing in SDLC (Project or Software Release)
- The extent of Early Testing effort
- Which parts require early stage testing?
- When should testing commence and conclude?
- Advantages and potential drawbacks
Now let’s explore these aspects in more detail!
What This Guide Covers:
Testing Principles
Figure 1 – A Streamlined Explanation of the Principles of Testing
During a Software, System, or Product release in SDLC, there are several reliable methodologies or strategies for most of the Testing Principles listed below.
- What is the aim of Testing?
- Why is Testing important?
- What needs to be tested?
- How should Testing be conducted?
However, Readers, Testers, Leads, and Managers often have questions related to concepts like Early Testing that have yet to be clearly defined (as shown by the grey area in Figure 1).
- At what point in the software release or project should testing start?
- When should testing start and stop?
- Why should testing commence early in SDLC?
- What does an early test in software development mean?
To make these “grey area” questions more understandable for the audience, they are all categorized under the term Early Testing.
Why Should Early Testing be Performed in SDLC?
Let’s examine certain procedures and tasks that are part of testing.
Typically, a Project Management Team designates a Project Manager (PM) for a specific Software Release or Project. The PM works in conjunction with stakeholders from various departments like Marketing, Development, QA, and Support to create a Release Timetable.
In this guide, we will focus on a Quarterly Release Schedule using the Waterfall framework to elucidate the concept of Early Testing.
Software Release Testing Timetable
Many enterprises still follow the traditional Time-Based Release (TBR) models in which the launching of Software or Product is planned for quarterly, biannual, or yearly rollouts.
The Waterfall methodology is typically employed for carrying out these Software releases. However, for shorter release cycles, Agile/Scrum frameworks may be used in some cases.
Figure 2 – A Typical Quarterly Release Testing Timetable (Specific to a Project or Release)
The Implications of Critical or High Severity Defects
Figure 3 – The Typical Effects of Critical Defects
Firstly, during Testing, it is anticipated that:
- Testers locate and describe vital or high severity defects.
- Developers amend these flaws.
- Testers then validate the corrections.
Moreover, many Product and Software Engineering organizations recognize that resolving and verifying a high volume of serious defects is:
- Lengthy
- Resource-intensive (both manpower and machinery)
- Potentially disruptive, as fixing serious bugs frequently involves altering vast sections of the code, including areas of intersection.
Finally, if numerous serious bugs are discovered towards the conclusion of a release, it can lead to the following adverse outcomes:
- An increased chance of prolonged testing cycle.
- A greater likelihood of missing the release deadline.
- Possibly excluding a feature with many defects from the release.
- Unmet customer expectations.
What About the Remaining Defects?
Mid and low priority defects, which are discovered and noted by testers, should also be adequately handled by the Development and QA Teams. As a result, Early Testing includes a thorough evaluation of the product.
There Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Solution
It is universally acknowledged that no amount of testing can reveal all the defects in a software product or system. In pragmatic terms, testing does not have a finish line, and no product is completely flawless.
However, from a “Serviceability” perspective in a Competitive and Time-to-Market (TTM) environment, it is vital to aim for early detection of the majority defects found in a Release cycle, especially critical and high severity defects.
Any one or all of the above situations could negatively affect the organization’s operations. In this context, incorporating “Early Testing” as a unique Test activity could help in the effective management of SDLC for a specific Project or Release.
The Extent of Early Testing Effort
Having understood the aim of Early Testing in the preceding section, “Why Early Testing?”, let us now explore the detailed extent of Early Test Effort.
As Early Testing is introduced as a separately monitored activity during Test execution, it is advisable to adhere to the following scope of testing effort.
Premise:
- The complete Project or Software Release schedule is authorized and available to all stakeholders.
- A comprehensive Test Strategy document has been created, reviewed, and authorized by all stakeholders.
- High, Medium, and Low priority features to be tested are precisely documented.
- Test Plans and Test cases for all Features have been created, reviewed, and authorized by all stakeholders.
- All Test Plans and Test Cases are uploaded to a shared repository for supervising Testing execution.
- All human resources, infrastructure equipment, and tools required for setting up the test labs and executing Test plans are readily available.
What Needs to be Tested at an Early Stage?
Figure 4 – The Overall Approach to the Scope of Early Testing
Approach:
- As an Example, let’s consider Release XYZ, which includes 3 High Priority features (A, B, and C), 10 Medium priority features, and 15 Minor (or Low priority) features.
- High Priority features are those that generate considerable revenue and/or comply with standards and/or aim to catch up with or even step ahead of competitors and so forth.
- High priority features generally involve intricate coding and consist of a significant number of new lines of code.
- An increased number of new lines of code also suggests a higher probability of intersection areas.
- Usually, high priority features and/or features with substantial new lines of code are the most suitable candidates for Early Testing.
- A separate Test Plan for the Early Test activity is not needed.
- QA Leads or Testers, along with Development Leads or Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), should discuss and agree upon the Code/Testing coverage for this testing activity.
- Identify suitable high priority test cases and, if required, select some medium priority test cases from each of the feature Test Plans (A, B, and C).
- Once the appropriate features and subset of Test cases have been identified, ensure they are tracked using the Test tracking tool used by the Organization.
Pro Tip: Collaboration is Crucial! During Early Test activity, the Development and QA teams need to work closely together to reach the desired goals with quality results.
When to Begin and Conclude Early Testing
It is imperative for the Development and QA teams to brainstorm and agree on all facets of the Early Test activity, including the start and exit dates, to ensure synchronization.
Requirements for Start
- The completion percentage for Integration testing
- The number of unresolved bugs
- No hindrances preventing the start of Early Test
Phase of Activity
- Tracking progress
- The number of code drops during this testing phase
- Approach to fixing bugs
- Bug verification method
- Recording the results of this testing
Exit Requirements
- Transitioning activities to the next testing phase (usually Feature Testing).
- Resolution of unresolved bugs detected during Early Test.
- The solution to hindrances, if any, for the next phase of Testing.
- Sharing the results of Early Testing.
The Upsides and Downsides
Every new venture or activity has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this testing methodology.
The Upsides
- Perfect for the Waterfall model.
- Helps in early detection of vital bugs in the testing cycle.
- Aids in early identification of critical bugs in a release cycle.
- Facilitates early Code stabilization by the Development Team.
- Helps limit the collateral damage resulting from the bug fixes.
- Allows the Development Team to pinpoint vulnerabilities across intersection areas in detail early in the release cycle.
- Enables the Management Team to make better-informed business decisions about unresolved critical bugs in a certain Release or Project.
- Effectively and efficiently expands test coverage.
- Aids in the optimum allocation of Development and Testing resources.
The Downsides
- Not suitable for Agile/Scrum models. However, such models can adapt Early Testing in Sprints with appropriate modifications.
- Potential decrease in Integration Testing by the Development Team.
Wrap-up
Customers or final users acquire or adopt operable products or systems. Verifying the serviceability of software used on such systems or products is a primary necessity.
Crucial elements of Testing Principles, like why testing is vital, what is involved in testing, what needs to be tested, and how to conduct testing, are generally well-defined and comprehended. However, persisting questions concerning concepts like Early Testing continue to arise in the minds of Readers, Testers, Leads, and Managers.
Integrating Early Testing as a core activity within the overall Testing Schedule for any Software Project or Release greatly assists the organization in delivering a robust and certified Product or System.
Have you ever experienced the importance of Early Testing in your professional path? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!