How to Become an Efficient QA Tester? Here Are Twelve Tips That Will Help You Achieve Your Target

In this article, you will know about some of the tips essential for efficient QA testing.

1. Develop Your Corporate Mind-Set

The company’s philosophy is also one of the essential aspects of software testing. To develop the philosophy of the company, you need to maintain your corporate mind-set. It is essential because precise bug identification and the fixing procedure are not easy. It requires excellent programming skills and excellent software knowledge. Software testing is a healthy investment that prevents the bad user experience of the software. The clients and customers will come up with the customer-oriented troubles later on, which will force you to start the development project from the start.

2. Keep Everything Organized

A complete software development project requires many intelligent minds in the process. You need to communicate with the targeted customer base along with the client to know and understand the specific requirements from the software. You need to keep everything organized to store this information for further help during the development and the testing process.

Make a testing strategy for the project by collecting all the stored information about the project. Keep all the information stored in one place to avoid chaos. Keep the information accessible to all developers and testers to allow up-gradation and change at any moment of the development process.

3. Create A Report of Bugs

The first step of testing is to detect the bugs in the software. If you can maintain an organized report with the list of identified bugs, then it will be easy for the whole team to work on it more efficiently. Make sure you mention all the details related to the identified bug without missing any information.

Give the utmost clarity while you prepare the report as it will be the source of the testing work of the software. Your report must be accessible by your entire development and testing team working in the project. Be clear about the procedure that you followed to expose the different types of bugs present in the software. Your team must find it easy to understand all the information related to fixing the bug without any confusion.

Being transparent with your reports does not mean to fill it with all the stuff that you find essential. Fill the report only with the necessary details that will help the team to fix the error. Keep the document simple and precise with all the essential information embedded in it. It is known as report clarity.

Also Read: Top Bug Tracking Tools for Successful Software Testing

4. Team Effort

QA testing is not a one-person job. You need to work with the team with full efforts to exchange and implement the knowledge of all to get efficient results. Link the ideas of every team member, which will lead you to a fruitful outcome, and your QA testing analysis will come successful with minor or major bug fixes. A good working team can reduce the QA testing time, which helps the development team to proceed with the work without much delay. Delivering the software to the client or the customer before the deadline always creates a positive impression.

When a team of QA testers works together on different projects, they are clear in their minds about the goals they need to achieve being the testers. If you are the head of the team, then make sure you give a brief idea to everyone on your team about the application before you commence the work. Take the help of your entire team in the decision-making meetings to get a better insight into the potential risks in the application.

5. Prepare Your Test Cases

Preparing Test cases is one of the major progress in a software testing project. The entire testing team depends upon the test case generated by the testing head to commence their work on the project. If the test cases are written clearly and with clarity, then the time required for the testing process reduces. Clear bug reports and test cases are essential in recording the work progress along with the error detection and the fixing strategy.

The test case comprises of the steps that are essential for fixing the identified bugs. Make sure you are not using long steps in your test case. If you mention complicated steps in the test case, then there is a high chance that few of your team members might fail to execute the task. Keep it short and precise and mention a maximum of 8 steps in the test case.

6. Prepare Testing Strategy and Question Your Approaches

While handling a software application, you need to maintain a chart of questions in which you must prepare the areas of testing. It is efficient to develop a QA testing strategy for the overall project. Prepare questions according to your testing strategy and find the answers on your own. There is an alternative approach to different testing strategies from which you must choose the only one, which will be the best answer to your self-questions.

If you manage to create a testing process for your project, you will obtain the results faster than usual. Among all the approaches, sort downs only the ones that make sense and move forward with it. If your approaches fail to attain the desired result, then you can try the other alternatives that you omitted in the previous step.

7. Look for The Quality and Fulfillment Of Requirements

Before starting the software development and testing work, make sure you acquire all the information from the client regarding the requirements. If the software is customer-oriented, then you need to take care of the user experience as a complex interface can disturb the users, and you might need to start again from the scrap.

Software testing, therefore, follows the six quality criteria such as usability, efficiency, portability, maintainability, reliability, functionality. The QA testing results must be communicated with the development team for giving them an idea about whether the application is meeting the requirements of the client or not. It will help the testers to detect and fix the further occurring errors in the software within time by keeping the quality and requirements in mind.

Also Read: Top 10 Qualities Of A Pro Software Tester

8. Monitor the Performance of The Software

While running a testing project, you need to examine the CPU, memory, network, server, and throughput components for identifying the errors in their functionality, if any. All of these components have their value of KPIs. The QA testers make use of specific monitoring tools that will help you in determining the KPIs of these components. They give better alerts and improve the testing efficiency with reduced time.

9. Keep the Window Open for Changes and Upgradation

The software industries are growing to greater heights, and the need for a high-end software application is increasing day by day. You need to cope up with the modern-day needs and demands of the organization. The software related to business or E-commerce must have easy accessibility in both mobile phones and the web.

Make sure you use new tools and upgrade to modern methods of testing to meet the software requirements. There must be continuous knowledge sharing for the testers to adapt new methodologies of software testing, in case the old processes are no longer required in the application. Organize group meetings and conferences where you can share information about new technologies and methodologies for development and testing with your team.

10. Make Use of The Right Tools for Testing Purposes

Few of the testing processes are automated and require specific tools for execution. Proper testing tools are efficient for the tester to follow the blueprint of the testing strategy. Some of the best tools used for the automated testing processes are appium, fiddler, confluence, Gatling, Selenium, Sauce Labs, Crucible, SoapUI, Jenkins, etc. These are a few of the many top testing tools used by the QA testers for their testing project.

11. Template Estimation

Template estimation gives information on the estimated effort essential for the successful completion of the testing project. The template must replicate real steps and measures towards the testing project. It will lead to a systematic work schedule for the QA testers to avoid exercising efforts in the wrong methods.

Also Read: Thinking like a Tester: 7 Lessons to Guide You to Think Like a Tester

12. Take Review of The Peer

After you prepare the test cases for commencing your QA testing strategy, you need to take the validation from a peer. The peer will look into the client’s checklist for validation to find the structural mistakes. Peer reviews become effective in this scenario as it helps the QA testers spot the functional loopholes in their test cases.

These are the top twelve tips for the QA testers to produce efficient testing results, which will help you deliver an optimized and error-free application to the client or customer. QA testing is an organized work that requires precise understanding. Without adequate information, detecting and fixing errors becomes very complicated. To deliver the best QA testing results, you must prepare clear bug reports and test cases. Communicate with your team members and take their idea of working on this project. Keep your strategies clear and always be positive towards your approach.

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Some of the important aspects of app testing to be considered during development include:

1. Consider the Hardware and Software

With the growing demands of the customers, the need for a well-developed app is increasing. Apart from focusing on app testing, considering the hardware and software configurations is essential for easy bug fixing and effective development. The hardware and software components used during the app development will affect the performance of the application.

When it comes to hardware, the display, sensors, chipset, memory, and other important aspects must be properly tested to provide the users with an enhanced experience while using the app. While testing the software components, the platform used, OEM customizations, and other dependencies must be properly tested for better effectiveness.

2. Consider the Different Types of Testing

There are a whole lot of testing approaches to app testing that are implemented during the development stage to build an optimum application. While testing the mobile applications, services, or game, the different testing to be performed include:

1) Functional Testing

Functional testing is one of the most important tests that determine the success of the application. Through this testing, the actual performance of the software is identified. It helps in comparing the actual and the expected performance and finding out ways to fill the gap. Using professional tools and running the test cases can help in automating functional testing.

Also Read: Functional and Non-Functional Testing To Improve Software Quality

2) Localization Testing

If you are developing an application for the global market, app testing becomes all the more important. While targeting a global audience, your application needs to be local for users around the globe. In such a situation, the app needs to be tested and translated into multiple languages for maximum success.

3) Performance and Load Testing

The performance of an application is the most important aspect to determine its success. The performance test helps in measuring the responsiveness of the app in real-time. The load tests help in determining the ability of the app to perform under heavy load situations. When your application successfully passes these two tests, it is sure to provide a satisfactory user experience.

4) Regression Testing

Regression testing is another essential testing angle. It helps in ensuring that the code changes during development do not have any adverse impact on the existing features.

3. Consider Incorporation Testing Throughout Development

A well-planned strategy leads to the success of an application. Including testing as a part of development helps. Consider automating all the generic factors as much as possible. Monitor the app changes during the development process and implement continuous testing. Adopting test automation and using the cloud-based testing platform can offer you more benefits for your software.

For efficient application testing, covering all the important aspects of testing and relying on the cloud-based platform can increase the success rate.

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Today is KiwiQA’s 10th anniversary. Celebrating a ten-year anniversary milestone is a big achievement in itself. It’s a  celebration for all who have been a part of the company through all those years.

A decade is a long time. 

I promise that in the decade ahead, KiwiQA will deliver more and better software quality in the areas you need most. We believe in delivering quick and quality software testing solution that everyone can afford. We strive to share, adapt, and become the most Valuable and impactful professionals we can be

I would like to thank everyone who has been directly or indirectly involved in the success of our company. It’s an awesome roller-coaster of fun, challenges, and unforgettable experiences.

We are extremely thankful to all of our customers – past and present – for whom we have proudly worked side-by-side as we continually endeavor to help them and support their missions.  It continues to be an honour and a privilege.

All employee (Family members): Thank you for the ten remarkable years of warmth, friendship, and support. We absolutely couldn’t have done it without you all. I hope you’ll keep holding us. Let’s keep it going and growing for the next ten years.

What’s next?

For KiwiQA learning and growing is a continual process with no limit.  We have got immense experience in these years and KiwiQA will keep on doing their jobs with ever-enhancing skills. Our level of commitment, learning, quality, and professionalism will remain the same. We know the obstacles will arrive again to polish us more and we’ll again win over them to prove that we’re the best.

Thank you for helping make KiwiQA a fantastic company.

Best,
CEO, Niranjan Limbachiya
KiwiQA

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Checklist to ensure the proper testing of the mobile app is listed below:

1. Integration with the Device

The proper integration of the mobile app with the device is an important aspect to consider. The app must be tested to check its integration with mobile device applications like screen resolution, GPS services, operating systems, etc. Effective integration with the configurations and setting of the devices will allow the proper functioning of the mobile app on different devices.

2. Interruptions

In most cases, mobile apps are found to be interrupted due to certain circumstances. Some of the causes of the interruptions can be no signal or low battery, but there are other reasons too. While testing mobile apps, it is important to check the performance of such mobile apps when they are interrupted.

3. User Experience

User experience is the key to the success of a mobile app. User experience is the most important factor to be tested during the development of mobile apps. If an app fails to provide enhanced user experience, it loses its intent and value. Hence, the user experience must be included as a prime component of the checklist for testing of the mobile app.

4. Battery and Data Usage

While testing mobile apps, it is important to check how the application is using much battery and data. Testing both aspects will show how long the app can sustain the battery and data of the user’s mobile phone. Applications that utilize more bandwidth of data and are likely to result in quick battery drain will not be liked by the users and are hence abandoned soon. Testers need to check that the app consumes fewer data and battery to increase its efficiency.

Also Read: How User Reviews Can Make Or Break Your Mobile App?

5. Network Connections

Connectivity is also a major aspect to be tested while mobile app testing. Mobile apps function through different network connections. The connections include 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. Depending on the different connections, the speed of the mobile app fluctuates. Hence, it is important to verify that the mobile app functions well in all the network connections to enhance the user experience.

6. App Customization

Mobile apps that can be customized as per the device of the users offer effective functioning. Testers must check that the mobile app is easily customizable to fit the needs of the users. For example, a single app must be able to deliver similar outcomes on the small screen as well as the larger ones. If the design of the app affects the functioning on the different screen sizes or fails to function, its inefficiency can be attributed to inappropriate testing.

7. Heat Generation

Heat generation must also be a part of the checklist for testing mobile apps. When an app generates more heat on longer usage, it can pose a risk for the mobile device. It can also result in the breakdown of the device. Thus, testing for heat generation is necessary to avoid the constant use of the processor while running the mobile app.

8. Security Factors

Issues of security must be given much importance while testing mobile apps. The testers have to pay extra attention to the data privacy of mobile apps. The different mobile apps contain much important information about the user, including their financial transaction information. Any issues of security can cause damage to users. Any breach in the security of the application must be immediately reported. Hence, security checks must be focused to encrypt the user’s information and authenticate their handling.

Also Read: Top 12 Methodologies To Boost Your Mobile Test Automation

9. Installation

The installation process of mobile apps must also be properly tested to ensure the effectiveness of the application. While checking the installation, the testers must verify the uninstallation and reinstallation process of the app too. When all these processes work efficiently, the app is likely to provide a better user experience.

While developing a new app, it is important to test the mobile app. Testing helps in eliminating the potential flaws of the software that could hamper its success. Adopting effective testing strategies ensure that the app has no defects related to its functionality, adaptability, usability, and security. The checklist of mobile app testing ensures that all the important areas are properly tested. This enhances the user experience of the mobile app and guarantees its success.

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If these apps aren’t performing properly, users won’t stick around. That’s why performance testing, particularly advanced performance testing, is so vital to any development company. Perfecting your app flow means knowing how your users will behave, and anticipating these behaviours through your own development efforts.

If you want your app to survive into the future, you need to create performance systems that measure key metrics today. These measurements are the best way to stay on top of your app’s functionality and also demonstrate areas where you can improve. Having a clear testing system will not only make it easier to produce new features and products in the future, but it will ensure your users are more satisfied with the overall experience. This guide will address key ways to perfect your app flow so you can focus on the things that matter most.

1. Functional Design

There are two main components to app design: function and aesthetics. Of course, we all want our apps to look great, but we also need the design to play into the usability of the app. When it comes to UI/UX, both Apple and Android released clear guidelines about navigation, architecture, layout, and other elements that are vital to designing.

The entire design needs to be optimized. When users are stuck waiting for a screen to load, their patience grows thin quickly. While you can mitigate these damaged with progress indicators or skeleton pages, you’ll still need to focus on ways to reduce the overall size of the design to make load times fast.

Aside from load times, consider how the design will help the user reach their goals quicker. A general rule of thumb is to only have one goal per page. If the user is presented with too many options, they’re more likely to be confused or overwhelmed. Simple is always best, even when trying to commit to your branded elements. Don’t overlook the power of a functional design.

2. Coding Clarity

While the importance of UI/UX shouldn’t be understated, the same goes for coding clarity. When a group of developers is working on the same app, there are often clarity issues that lead to untidy code. A clean code will make sure the rest of the app flow is smooth from start to finish. Think of this as the foundation for the rest of the platform.

First, you need to make sure developers are avoiding any excessive resource consumption by caching and reducing the memory footprint. The same goes for managing battery consumption by managing any disk related features, CPU, and wifi networks. Finally, use asynchronous calls for network and database access to ensure the app launch time is fast.

3. Testing

There should never be any cutting corners when it comes to testing. One of the biggest mistakes developers make is testing once or twice and never again. These tests actually need to be completed constantly to ensure every new deployment and update is ready to function properly. Don’t rely on user feedback to know where improvements need to be made. By the time you receive this feedback, it’s already too late.

The first step in testing is to set user metrics. These are patterns you’re looking for that will help you understand how users interact with your app. You’ll need to make sure your app has been tested across a range of devices. You’ll also need to perform load testing to see how the app handles large operations and files.

Finally, test the security. It seems like every day a new app releases a statement about a breach of security. This is not only damaging to your reputation, but it also jeopardizes your entire application. Take your user security seriously from the start. If you’re utilizing any personal information of your users, protect it diligently. As you can see, testing should encompass all aspects of the app to ensure it’s ready for consumers.

4. Error Monitoring and System Logs

Things will go wrong with your app. No matter how much you prepare, errors will happen, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you take steps to reduce the impact of these errors and system problems when they do happen. You can do this through application monitoring tools which will step in to record problems before they occur. These systems track problems with your memory, deployment, coding, and crashes.

They also provide a valuable roadmap for retracing steps when things go wrong. Finding a problem can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. With APM tools, you’re able to quickly locate the source of errors so you can resolve them quickly. Most importantly, you can put new systems in place to prevent them from happening again.

Fixing large user issues quickly and diligently is one of your biggest challenges as a developer as seen in this source on application performance monitoring & alerting | AppOptics. Learning to create systems for preventing these problems before the begin will eliminate half the battle. Take performance monitoring seriously if you want your app workflow to be significantly less stressful.

Final Thoughts

Your users deserve the best experience when they interact with your app. With so many new applications taking over the marketplace every day, you can’t afford to overlook performance testing. By evaluating the key indicators above, you’ll have a strong app you can rely on to survive into the future.

Nobody can fully anticipate how smartphone apps will continue to develop. However, we do know there will be a continued push for greater user experience and fewer errors. That’s the only way to future-proof your app in a rapidly moving digital age.

Give us 30 minutes and we will show you how many millions you can save by outsourcing software testing. Make Your product quality top notch. Talk to us to see how

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Why Gaming Testing is Important

The complex nature of the software required to deliver top quality games and contractual commitments make testing an essential part of the games. Every time someone outside of your team or company gets a look at the game, it is going to be scrutinized and publicized. It is important to the development team as they rely on testers to find problems in the code. Gaming testing is also significant for game publishers as an official release of the game should be error-free and marketable. Further, gaming testing is also important to console providers in order to meet quality standards. There is a parallel testing requirement for mobile game testing by wireless carriers and handset manufacturers so as to allow approval for use on mobile devices and networks.

Basic Rules for Gaming Testing

1. Stop Panicking

We all know that panic is bad for multiple reasons, including game testing and can lead a tester to cause severe harm to the project. It can result in wastage of crucial time, money, sales and reputation. Generally, game project panic occurs when you are:

• Unfamiliar
• Unprepared
• Under pressure
• Unrested
• Nearsighted

In such circumstances, it is important to ask yourself the following questions-

• Do you have the right version of the test?
• Are you using the right version of the build?
• Are you using the right hardware configuration/settings?
• Are you using the right game controller and settings?
• Which installation options did you use?
• Is the game in the right initial state before running the test case?
• Did you complete all of the test steps in order?
• Did you record all of the problems you found?
• If you reported a problem, did you fill in all of the required fields?

2. Trust Your Own Self (Only)

It may happen that the publisher may not trust your game, the press and public may consider your game unexciting or project managers may find loopholes in the test code, but don’t lose trust in yourself. Games that come with certain bugs can fall victim to complaints and rants posted on the Internet, sometimes rightfully so. But don’t let this happen to you!

It is crucial to conduct a background check, examine your tests and search for ways in which you can improve, in order to gain more trust in your own skills in finding defects. Further, always remain open to suggestions from developers, managers, other testers and most importantly, yourself.

The process of Game Testing

1. Black box testing- Almost all game testing is black box testing, which is described as testing done from outside the application. It is not the case that game testers find defects merely by reading the game code. Rather, they try to find defects using the same input devices available to the average player, be it a mouse, a keyboard, a console gamepad, a motion sensor, or a plastic guitar.
2. White box testing- As against black box testing, white box testing provides the tester with better prospects to exercise the source code directly and in ways that no player ever could. It can be a daunting challenge for the white box tester to read a piece of game code and predict every single interaction it will have with every other bit of code, and whether the programmer has accounted for every combination and order of inputs possible. However, because of impossibility to account for the complexity of the player feedback loop, testing a game using only white box methods is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, white box testing is more practical in certain circumstances such as:

• Tests performed before submitting new code for integration with the rest of the game.
• Testing code modules that will become part of a reusable library across multiple games or platforms.
• Testing code functions or methods forming essential parts of middleware or a game engine product.

3. Writing Bugs- It won’t be an overstatement to say that bug writing is one of the most crucial skills a tester must learn. This is because no defect can be fixed unless it is communicated clearly and effectively. Since you can never find out exactly who will be reading your bug report, it always helps to write reports in a clear, objective and dispassionate manner. Further, never assume that those reading your bug report will be as familiar with the game as you are. Testers usually spend a lot more time in the game closely examining each asset and exploring every hidden path than anyone else on the entire project team. By making a good bug report, the tester ensures that a reader who is not familiar with the game has a fair sense of the severity and type of the defect/deficiency it describes.

The Life Cycle of a Build

The process of game testing comprises, primarily, of following steps:

• Plan and design the test- Although much of this is done early in the planning phase, planning and design should be revisited with every build. What has changed in the design spec since the last build? What have additional test cases been added? What new configurations will the game support? What features have been cut? The scope of testing should ensure that no new issues were introduced in the process of fixing bugs prior to this release.
• Prepare for testing- Tests, code, documents as well as test environment are required to be readied by their owners and also aligned with each other. It is also necessary for the development team to have marked the bugs which have been fixed for the build in the defect database in order to enable the QA team to verify those fixes and close the bugs.
• Perform the test- Always ensure to run the test suites against the new build. In case of a defect, test the bug to make certain you have all the details necessary to write a specific and concise bug report. More research in this direction will enable easier and more useful bug report.
• Report the results- Make sure you log the completed test suite and report any defects you found.
• Repair the bug-In this stage, the test team participates by ensuring availability to discuss the bug with the development team and provide any directed testing that a programmer might need to track the defect down.

These steps not only apply to black box testing but also to white box testing, configuration testing, compatibility testing as well as any other type of QA.

Connect with KiwiQA to leverage focused capability for QA and Testing services.

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