What is Test Strategy? Types of strategies with examples

Introduction

When embarking on a software testing project, two crucial classifications need to be contemplated: strategy and investment. Unnecessary to say, strategy comes first. Without understanding what strategies and tools are required to thoroughly test a website or app, it is not apparent to determine how much investment the project will require.

The initial step to specifying a strategy is to have an obvious idea of the most beneficial and generally employed software testing strategies. Specific tests need a close insight of code and the applicable system being run, others don’t. Specific tests have to be implemented manually, while others can be safely automated. Several software testing strategies need several levels of technological skill, proficiency, and tools.

This blog will examine a list of software testing techniques, attempting to help our readers with determining which ones best suit the desires of the software under test.

Test Strategy

A Test Strategy is an agenda for defining a method to the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). It counsels QA teams to clarify Test Coverage and testing scope. It enables testers to get an obvious image of the project at any instance. The likelihood of missing any test activity is very low when there is a sufficient test strategy in place.

What is a Test Strategy Document?

Test Strategy Document is a well-characterized document in software testing which completely defines the specific software testing approach and testing ideals of the software application. Test document is a critical document for QA teams that is developed from actual business requirements that guides the entire team about software testing approach and objectives for each activity in the software testing procedure.

Test Plan Vs Test Strategy

There is tremendous confusion about Test Plan and Test Strategy documents. A different company has its distinct procedures and criteria to oversee these documents. For instance, some company comprises test strategy facts in Test Plan itself while some company includes strategy as a subsection within the testing plan.

Most typically used testing techniques and procedures are characterized as part of the company’s test strategy. Test Manager should be able to decide on an adequate testing strategy for the project based on the project needs as well as the companies needs.

How to prepare an elegant test strategy document

Every company has its extraordinary priority and set of rules for software designing, so do not copy any company blindly. Always assure that their document is synonymous and adds value to your software development before obeying the template.

Test Strategy in STLC:

 Step#1: Scope

 It distinguishes parameters like

·        Who will evaluate the document?

·        Who will authorize this document?

·         Software Testing activities executed with timelines

 Step#2 Test Approach

 It defines

·         Procedure of testing

·         Testing levels

·         Roles and duties of each team member

·         Categories of Testing ( Load testing, Security testing, Performace testing, etc.)

·         Testing strategy & automation tool if applicable

·         Adding new defects, re-testing, Defect triage, Regression Testing and test sign off

 Step#3 Test Environment

·         Specify the number of requirement and setup expected for each environment

·         Define backup of test data and revive strategy

 Step#4 Testing Tools

·        Automation and Test management tools required for the test implementation

·       Figure out several open-source as well as commercial tools required, and determine how many users are supported on it, and plan accordingly

Step#5 Release Control

Release management agenda with reasonable version history that will make sure test execution for all modifications is in that release.

Step#6 Risk Analysis

·         List all risks that you can measure

·        Give an obvious plan to mitigate the risks moreover a contingency plan

Step#7 Review and Approvals

All these actions are surveyed and signed off by the business team, project management, development team, etc. Overview of review  should be traced at the outset of the document along with an approved date, name, and comment

In simple terms, test strategy contains the following information:

·        How to utilize testing for overseeing project and product risks?

·         How to allocate the testing procedure to various test levels?

What are the high-level testing activities?

Which testing strategy should be utilized in which situation? Strategies can fluctuate based on project requirements like regulatory requirements, risk levels, and various procedures of software development. Comprehensive test entry and test exit conditions actions and procedures mentioned in the Test Strategy should be aligned with the company's Test Policy.

Some of the testing processes that may be part of a company’s testing strategy are:

·         Rational strategy

·         Model-based strategy

·         Standardized strategy

·         Standards compliant or Process compliant strategy

·         Reactive strategy

·         Consultative strategy

·         Regression averse strategy

Analytical strategy

For instance, risk-based testing or requirements-based testing. Here the testing team determines the testing situations to be encircled after evaluating the test basis, be it risks or requirements, etc. So, in the case of testing based on requirements, requirements are assessed to develop the test conditions. Then tests are designed, executed, and enforced to meet those requirements. Even the outcomes are documented concerning requirements like requirements tested and passed, those that were tested but flunked, and those requirements which are not wholly tested, etc.

Model-based strategy

In this strategy, the testing team selects an existing or foreseen situation and builds a model for it, taking into account inputs, outputs, procedures, and apparent behavior. The models are furthermore developed according to existing software, hardware, data speeds, infrastructure, etc.

Let us contemplate the scenario of mobile application testing. To execute its performance testing, prototypes may be created to imitate outgoing and incoming traffic on the mobile networks, several active/inactive users, projected expansion, etc.

Methodical strategy

Here test teams pursue a predefined quality standard (like ISO25000), checklists, or barely a set of test conditions. Standard checklists can for particular categories of testing (like security), application domains. For example, in the case of maintenance testing, a checklist characterizing crucial functions, their attributes, etc. is adequate to conduct the tests

Standards or process compliant strategy

Medical systems following US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) criteria are nice examples of this strategy. Here the testers pursue the procedures or guidelines ascertained by the committee for standards or panel of enterprise experts to specify test conditions, define test cases, and put the testing team in place. In the case of a program following the  Agile technique, testers will develop its detailed test strategy, beginning from identifying test criteria, defining test cases, performing tests, report status, etc. around each user story.

Reactive strategy

Here tests are designed and executed only after the real software is provided. So testing is based on flaws found in the actual system. Contemplate a scenario where experimental testing is being utilized. Test charters are cultivated based on the existing characteristics and functionalities. These test charters are revamped based on the outcomes of the testing by testers. Experimental testing can be related to Agile development projects as well.

Consultative strategy

As the name indicates, this testing strategy utilizes consultations from key stakeholders as input to determine the scope of test conditions as in the case of user-directed testing. Let us evaluate a situation where the compatibility of any web-based application with browsers is to be tested. Here the application owner would give a list of browsers and their versions in order of preferences.

They may furthermore give a list of connection categories, operating systems, anti-malware software, etc. against which they need the application to be tested. The testers may then utilize various methods like testing pairwise or equivalence partitioning methods depending upon the priority of the items in the provided lists.

Regression-based strategy

Here testing strategies emphasize lessening regression risks for functional or non-functional product parts. Proceeding with our earlier example of the web application, if the application needs to be tested for regression issues, the testing team can develop test automation for both conventional and extraordinary use cases.

They can even utilize GUIGUI-based automation tools so that the tests can be operated whenever the application is altered. It s not essential to utilize any one of the strategies listed above for any testing project. Pivoting on the product and company’s requirements, two or more strategies may be incorporated.

Details included in test strategy

The final test strategy should comprise of details about these characteristics :

·         Test levels

·         Entry as well exit conditions for each test level

·         Connections between the test levels

·         Procedure to combine different test levels

·         Strategies for testing

·         Degree of independence of each test

·         Critical as well as non-compulsory standards that must be adhered

·         Testing environment

·         Category of automation for testing

·         Tools to be used in testing

·         Confirmation and regression testing

·         Re-usability of both software and testing work products

·         Controlling testing

·         Reporting on test outcomes

·         Metrics and measurements to be assessed during testing

·         Managing flaws detected

·         Managing test tools and infrastructure configuration

·         Test team members functions and obligations

Test strategy selection

The testing strategy selection may hinge on these characteristics :

·         Is the strategy short-term long-term?

·         Organization category and size

·         Project requirements – Safety and security-relevant applications require stringent strategy

·         Product development prototype

What to contemplate when selecting a software testing strategy?

A strategic process to software testing must take the following into account:

·        Risks:  Consider the risks during testing. Is there a probability that tests will disrupt software function? For instance, if an app is already ascertained in the digital market, tests for new characteristics or updates can put the app at risk of a crash or scramble some characteristics. In this case, testers may need to look into regression-averse strategies.

·        Objectives: Is the testing strategy satisfying all the requirements and needs of the stakeholders? Tests shouldn’t just assess if all software characteristics are functioning as anticipated, but also if they satisfy the business requirements and completely benefit the users.

·       Regulations: Does the software being tested meet all legislation associated with its industry (and the digital sphere)? Usually, the identical app or website will be prone to various regulations in several geographical regions. Testers must be aware of local legislation so that the software does not inadvertently end up breaking the law.

The function of Real Devices: An Accurate Software Testing Approach

The point of all software testing is to specify bugs. Testers must be per on how repeatedly a bug occurs and how it influences the software.  The same way is used to detect all bugs and thus promptly run software through real devices and browsers. When it comes to a website, assure that it is under the preview  of both manual testing and automation testing. Automated Selenium testing should augment manual tests so that testers do not neglect any bugs in the Quality Assurance procedure.

Try Testing on Real Device Cloud for Free

Websites must furthermore be put through comprehensive cross-browser string so that they function invariably, regardless of the browser they are being accessed by. Utilizing browsers installed on real devices is the only means to ensure cross-browser compatibility and not alienate users of any browser.

The best alternative is to select for a cloud-based testing service that gives real device browsers and operating systems. BrowserStack gives 2000+ real browsers and devices for manual and automated testing. Users can sign up for free, log in, device-browser-OS combinations and start with their testing.

Conclusion

In Software Engineering, software release goes through rigorous Test Strategy documents from time to time to map the growth of testing in the favorable direction. When the release date is almost close many of these activities, tasks,  will be avoided, it is preferable prudent  to make sure with team members that  any bugs, defects, or errors should not come in your software product at the time of its launch.