In the software development process, QA testing occupies a unique position. Testers are responsible for ensuring that every piece of code developed in a project is bug-free and operates in alignment with technical and business requirements.
This means QA engineers must possess a comprehensive understanding of each project and what it means to accomplish. Additionally, they must have clarity on what can go wrong in the operation of a certain website or app. They must also keep abreast of technical and digital innovations so that they know if there are newer bugs or threats to test for.
Given the purview of a QA tester’s job, it is natural that they will face numerous challenges in their day-to-day tasks. This article intends to highlight the most common of those challenges, as well as suggest ways to resolve them.
Challenges faced by QA and its Solutions
Some of the common challenges faced by QA are listed below, along with the solutions to solve them.
1. Last-Minute Changes to Requirements
It is quite common to change project requirements mid-sprint in agile development projects. While this is frustrating for the entire team, testers can be especially affected. They might have to redo the entire scope of testing since even the smallest changes to a codebase needs to be run through multiple tests to ensure its stability and compatibility with existing code.
For example, if a browser introduces an update, testers will have to perform browser compatibility testing to ensure that the website’s existing features run flawlessly even after the update. On the other hand, if a new feature is added to the website last-minute, cross browser testing is necessary to ensure that the feature works perfectly across multiple browsers.
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Naturally, last-minute changes can be quite hard for testers to handle, especially if there are tight deadlines within which to deliver results.
Solution
There’s not much of a workaround here since the digital world is constantly evolving. It is entirely possible that a feature needs to be changed or modified due to some changes in user feedback or software updates. For example, a feature might have to be modified because of a recent browser update.
Testers must expect that this will occur frequently. If requirement changes come through towards the end of a sprint, testers can opt for running as many tests as possible within the time available. It must be made clear before the project begins that last-minute changes to software may not be fully tested within predetermined deadlines.
By communicating the real-world limitations of testing, QAs can be sure that they do not appear unreasonable at the end of a sprint. Additionally, developers and other stakeholders will also be aware of what can be expected from QAs and can set timelines accordingly.
2. Inadequate information on user stories
A tester’s primary job is to formulate test cases based on possible user journeys. However, to create test cases, QAs must have in-depth information about user journeys. This information must come from product owners who have the best understanding of what the software is expected to do and how users are likely to navigate it.
However, if the product owner(s) themselves do not have clarity on user journeys, they cannot communicate it to the QAs. The QAs, in turn, cannot create test cases that will comprehensively test the website or app for flaws in user experience. To a large extent, this defeats the purpose of QA testing.
Solution
This is where testers must somewhat depend on their own judgment. Instead of relying on detailed requirements and user stories, testers can start thinking about high-level scenarios a user would be likely to face when using certain software. For example, instead of waiting for full clarification about a feature, testers can formulate a set of likely user scenarios based on the website or app concept.
When test cases are written on the basis of high-level use cases, changes in feature details will result in minor variations in test scripts. This is because the context and the wider user journey remains the same. Hence, QAs will have to make less of an effort in this regard.
3. Inadequate Experience with Test Automation
Agile development projects require testers to be technically competent, especially with regard to Integration Testing and API Testing. They are also required to create scripts for UI automation tests with automation tools such as Selenium.
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If a tester is mostly experienced with manual, exploratory testing, they will face major challenges in delivering results with the speed expected in an automation-driven project.
Solution
Anyone looking to work in QA testing should have some knowledge of programming languages frequently used to write test scripts. Ruby and Java are common examples of such languages.
Getting Started to Run Automated Tests using Selenium and Java: Tutorial
Even if a tester is familiar with languages, they should also be proficient with the right tools for the job. As mentioned before, Selenium is highly effective for browser automation purposes and knowledge of how it works is very helpful.
Similarly, JMeter is an open-source performance testing tool that is also quite easy to pick up and quite useful in automation scenarios.
4. Inadequate collaboration between testers and developers
Professional tension between development and testing teams is still quite common. Development teams might feel like testing is a final stage process and testers do not need anything apart from a list of user journeys and technical requirements.
However, testers end up having a difficult time identifying flaws in the code if they are not acquainted with the development process. If they do not understand how a piece of software works, they will have trouble creating test scripts that can adequately detect all possible bugs.
Solution
Collaboration between developers and QAs facilitates better testing. By sharing knowledge with testers from the beginning of development, developers equip testers to make better decisions about what tests to run to ensure software quality and functionality.
When testers are empowered to make informed decisions, developers will also benefit since comprehensive testing of software components ensures that they are decidedly ready for deployment after every sprint.
Addressing the challenges above will not only make the lives of QA testers much easier but will streamline a software development process to make it more effective and time-efficient. By making it easy for QAs to do their job well, organizations can ensure that their software products are developed to meet all business requirements and function in the best possible way.
5. Tests failing under real user conditions
At times the software does not function as expected under real world conditions. However, the software passed the tests successfully in a controlled environment. Testing on Emulators and Simulators can only mimic the browser or device and provides a controlled environment to test the software application, which is why it might fail in real conditions when multiple constraints come into picture.
Solution
In such cases, it is always advised to test the software on real devices and browsers to ensure that the real user conditions such as battery, push notifications, slow network conditions, bio-authentication are taken into account for better accuracy. To do so you can either set up a digital lab in-house or you can opt for real device cloud like BrowserStack. When comparing build vs buy, buying is more cost effective and requires lesser efforts in set-up and maintenance.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of software development and quality assurance (QA) testing, I've spent years navigating the intricate landscape of testing methodologies, tools, and challenges. My firsthand experience in both manual and automated testing, coupled with a deep understanding of agile development practices, has equipped me with the knowledge to address the nuances of QA testing effectively.
In the software development realm, QA testing is a linchpin, ensuring that each line of code meets the highest standards of functionality and aligns seamlessly with technical and business requirements. The role of a QA engineer extends beyond identifying bugs; it demands a comprehensive understanding of the project, potential pitfalls, and a constant awareness of evolving technical and digital landscapes.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
1. Last-Minute Changes to Requirements
Challenge: Agile projects often witness last-minute changes to project requirements, impacting testers who may need to redo testing scopes.
Solution: Given the dynamic nature of the digital world, testers must anticipate changes. Communicating testing limitations upfront ensures stakeholders understand potential delays. Testers should prioritize running essential tests within tight deadlines.
2. Inadequate Information on User Stories
Challenge: Testers face challenges when product owners lack clarity on user journeys, hindering the formulation of comprehensive test cases.
Solution: Testers can rely on high-level scenarios based on the software concept, even in the absence of detailed requirements. Formulating test cases around likely user scenarios reduces the effort required for script modifications when feature details change.
3. Inadequate Experience with Test Automation
Challenge: Testers inexperienced in automation struggle in agile projects that demand technical competence, especially in areas like Integration Testing and API Testing.
Solution: QA testers should acquire knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Ruby, Java) for script writing. Proficiency in automation tools like Selenium and performance testing tools like JMeter is essential for efficient testing.
4. Inadequate Collaboration Between Testers and Developers
Challenge: Tension between development and testing teams hampers the identification of flaws in the code.
Solution: Collaboration from the project's inception fosters mutual understanding. Developers sharing insights with testers enhances the latter's ability to create effective test scripts, ensuring comprehensive testing.
5. Tests Failing Under Real User Conditions
Challenge: Software may pass tests in controlled environments but fail under real-world conditions.
Solution: Testing on real devices and browsers is crucial to account for real user conditions like battery usage, push notifications, and slow network conditions. Utilizing a real device cloud, such as BrowserStack, ensures accurate testing under diverse scenarios.
By addressing these challenges, QA testers not only streamline their tasks but also contribute to a more effective and time-efficient software development process, ultimately meeting business requirements and ensuring optimal functionality.
