How to Accurately Estimate the Time it Takes for a Software Manual Regression (2024)

Regression testing is a crucial step in the software development process, as it helps ensure that new changes to the system haven't caused any unintended issues. However, conducting a manual regression can be a time-consuming task, especially if you're working with a limited number of resources. In this article, we'll go over how to accurately estimate the time it will take for a software manual regression using a suite of test cases and a limited number of resources.

Step 1: Identify the Total Number of Test Cases

The first step in estimating the time it will take for a software manual regression is to identify the total number of test cases that need to be run. This will give you a clear idea of the scope of the regression and help you plan accordingly.

Step 2: Determine the Average Time per Test Case

Once you know the total number of test cases, the next step is to determine the average time it takes for one resource to run one test case. This can be done by timing a sample of test cases and averaging the results. It's important to note that this time may vary depending on the complexity of the test cases.

Step 3: Calculate the Total Time

Once you know the total number of test cases and the average time per test case, you can calculate the total time it will take for all resources to run all test cases. This is done by multiplying the number of test cases by the average time per test case and dividing by the number of resources.

How to Accurately Estimate the Time it Takes for a Software Manual Regression (1)

Example 1:

  • Total number of test cases: 1000
  • Average time per test case for one resource: 5 minutes
  • Number of resources: 4

Total time = (1000 * 5 minutes) / 4 resources = 1250 minutes or 20.83 hours

Example 2:

  • Total number of test cases: 500
  • Average time per test case for one resource: 10 minutes
  • Number of resources: 2

Total time = (500 * 10 minutes) / 2 resources = 2500 minutes or 41.67 hours

Example 3:

  • Total number of test cases: 800
  • Average time per test case for one resource: 15 minutes
  • Number of resources: 6
  • 3 of those resources may have other tasks to work on during regression:
  • Resource 1: Will be working on a project that takes 3 hours per day.
  • Resource 2: Will be working on a project that takes 2 hours per day.
  • Resource 3: Will be working on a project that takes 1 hour per day.

Total time per day for the 3 resources = 3 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour = 6 hours

Total time for the regression testing = (800 * 15 minutes) / (6 resources - 6 hours) = 2000 minutes or 33.33 hours

It is important to note that these estimates may fluctuate depending on the progress of the other tasks, and the time it takes to complete these tasks may change, it is a good practice to re-evaluate the progress of the other tasks and adjust the regression testing time accordingly.

It's also important to communicate with the project managers and the team leads to ensure that the resources are available and that their time is used as efficiently as possible. By following these steps, you can accurately estimate the availability of the resources and adjust the total time calculation for the regression testing accordingly.

How to Accurately Estimate the Time it Takes for a Software Manual Regression (2024)

FAQs

How to Accurately Estimate the Time it Takes for a Software Manual Regression? ›

Test estimation techniques

Expert judgment is a popular technique, relying on the experience and intuition of one or more experts to provide estimates. Work breakdown structure (WBS) is more systematic and detailed, breaking down the testing work into smaller tasks and estimating the effort and duration for each.

How do you estimate test time accurately? ›

Test estimation techniques

Expert judgment is a popular technique, relying on the experience and intuition of one or more experts to provide estimates. Work breakdown structure (WBS) is more systematic and detailed, breaking down the testing work into smaller tasks and estimating the effort and duration for each.

How long should regression testing take? ›

Regression testing in Agile, for example, might last 1-2 days, though some organizations might have regression testing cycles that last 3-5 days.

How do you estimate how long testing of an application under test will take to complete? ›

10 Tips on How to Estimate Software Testing Time
  1. Explore Existing Techniques. ...
  2. Combine Techniques To Achieve The Best Result. ...
  3. Take Into Account And Evaluate Project Risks. ...
  4. Take Into Account And Evaluate Task Risks. ...
  5. Create A Time Buffer Based On Risks. ...
  6. Record Testing Time Estimation Results.
Nov 14, 2019

How do you reduce manual regression testing time? ›

7 ways to reduce regression testing time:
  1. Control device/OS storage.
  2. Rank your cases.
  3. Use appropriate test layer for a target data.
  4. Combine regression test suite.
  5. Automate the change impact analysis.
  6. Use device farms to benefit for multithreading.
Oct 9, 2019

How do you calculate test duration? ›

How to Calculate Duration of A/B Test? Beyond sample size. From a purely statistical perspective, calculating the expected duration for a test is easy when you have determined the sample size: Expected experiment duration = samples size/number of visitors to the tested page.

What is the formula for estimate testing effort? ›

Total Effort = Total FP x Estimate Defined per FP

Estimate defined per FP is a given value that a test manager defines on the basis of the team experience. It is calculated with respect to time, cost or size (e.g. 10 hours/points, $100/points).

How do you speed up regression testing? ›

Speeding up regression testing in agile projects can be achieved by automating as much as possible. Automation has many advantages, such as running tests faster, more reliably, and more frequently, detecting defects early, reducing human errors, and increasing test coverage.

Why is regression testing time consuming? ›

If automation tool is not being used for regression testing then the testing process would be time consuming. Regression testing has to be performed for every small change in the code as even a small portion of code can create issues in the software.

Why regression testing should not be done manually? ›

Many software development teams have shifted toward Agile paradigms, which prioritize the frequent release and revision of software. Obviously, manual regression testing is a poor fit for this setup. The time required to complete all of the needed tests can be exorbitant, resulting in costly project delays.

How do you determine when you have done enough testing? ›

Most common factors helpful in deciding when to stop the testing are:
  1. Stop the Testing when deadlines like release deadlines or testing deadlines have reached.
  2. Stop the Testing when the test cases have been completed with some prescribed pass percentage.
  3. Stop the Testing when the testing budget comes to its end.

What is test estimation in manual testing? ›

Test Estimation is a management activity which approximates how long a Task would take to complete. Estimating effort for the test is one of the major and important tasks in Test Management.

What is effort estimation in software testing? ›

Estimating test efforts is one of the most critical tasks in the software development process. Software Test Estimation (STE) determines or assesses the time and cost needed during the testing process. The following factors are taken into consideration to estimate: Time required for test. Cost Required.

How do you optimize manual testing? ›

To optimize manual testing flow, consider the following steps to take.
  1. A Good Test Plan. ...
  2. Clear Requirement. ...
  3. Write Test Scenarios. ...
  4. Reviewing The Test Cases. ...
  5. The Validity Of Tests is essential for increasing the state and quality of manual testing. ...
  6. Defect Management. ...
  7. Pertinent Manual Testing Usage.
May 10, 2023

How regression testing is done in manual testing? ›

Step-by-step regression testing process
  1. Determine your regression testing strategy for this round. ...
  2. List out what updates have been made to the product. ...
  3. Consider what additional features those updates could have impacted. ...
  4. Decide what known problem areas or additional testing components will be included.

Can you do regression testing manually? ›

Regression Testing can be manual or automated. If the number of test cases is small, it can be manually managed in less time. However, if the number of regression test cases is significant, automated regression testing is the ideal solution.

How do you calculate testing time in agile? ›

The steps involved in the estimation method with story points are as follows:
  1. Identify user stories.
  2. Discuss the requirements of the user story. ...
  3. Create a matrix for estimation. ...
  4. Choose an Agile estimation technique.
  5. Conduct sprint planning.
Dec 14, 2022

How do you do an estimate? ›

5-Step Process to Creating Estimates
  1. Evaluate the Job. Take some time to think about the job to be done. ...
  2. Provide a High-Level Overview. ...
  3. Present Alternative Estimates for Different Scenarios. ...
  4. Include Necessary Disclaimers. ...
  5. Convert Your Estimate to an Invoice.
Feb 7, 2023

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