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10 Top Software Testing Trends for 2019 to Gain the Edge

Software testing services are about to witness tremendous changes in terms of technology. As the world is digitized everywhere, it calls for enormous changes and advancements in technology. The world always welcomes the innovative thoughts to bring an uplift at every stage. You need to update yourself with the evolving trends as you can never come out of the race. Organizations also take part in this evolution for generations. New trends always come in our way to meet the demand. In the field of software testing, there is a huge evolution in the IT industry with new technologies in the recent past. IT Organizations are coming forward in this digital transformation and paying more attention towards quality and reliability. This transformation will make a difference in reducing the errors and improving the security features. Professionals in the IT industry are quickly adopting the changes that are happening in the testing industry to keep themselves updated. In this blog, let us see some of the latest software trends and predictions for the next decade. Top 10 Software Testing Trends 1. Agile Adoption: Agile is the most used term these days in the IT industry; this is nothing but a process that will provide quick response during any project. Also, Agile is an alternative method in project management. Agile is helping companies to design and build their products throughout the process of development. Using Agile, companies can produce quality products in the market to handle the competition around. As Agile is used at every sprint meeting, it helps client engagement and understands the transparency of the project in every step. As data has become more valuable companies are undergoing digital transformation with the adoption of agile methodology. 2. Adoption of DevOps: DevOps mainly focus on the collaboration of various operations and development methods to deliver quality products. DevOps is not a specification or a standard but a culture that brings high-quality products with fewer failure rates during the productions. There are certain principles and practices for DevOps like collaborating with customer from time to time, delivering work in short intervals, making the customer aware of work progress, developing programs that are flexible to change according to the customer requirement, and finally giving complete leverage to the team to get the best out of them to deliver the work on time. 3. Test Automation: Test automation is helping the testing team to maintain the test cases to track and manage testing needs whenever required by the customer. With the sudden evolution of Agile and DevOps, testing strategies are also very essential to maintain the pace which is acquired through Test Automation. Hence organizations cannot ignore test automation in the process of development of DevOps. Test Automation is very important for DevOps, so companies are focusing on the replacement of manual testing with automated testing. There is a lot of room for increasing the utilization of test automation in projects. Software testing predicts that automation tools at present like Selenium, Katalon, TestComplete, etc will add more features to make the testing process easier. 4. API and Services Test Automation: Application Programming Interface Testing focuses on reliability and security. For the last couple of years, the demand for API Testing has been gradually increasing. The testing process becomes more efficient with the usage of API and Services Test Automation. There are plenty of tools available for API testing, which are very helpful for developers and the testing teams. These API tools help the user to create a custom code very easily. Some of the tools are run on Mac, Windows, Linux, and chrome apps depending on the compatibility. As the users feel more convenient, the need for API and services test automation also increases. 5. Increasing Open Source Tools: Open Source Tools are going to play a vital role in the coming days. The increasing adoption of open source tools for the proper implementation of Test automation, DevOps, Agil, etc., will continue in the next decade as well. Once open source tools increase, support communities will also play an active role throughout programming and to attain the best output. This adoption of open source tools can be witnessed in areas like application, business, database, infrastructure, integration, etc. These tools will help organizations to gain flexibility and improve the standards of business. Organizations are slowly realizing the importance of open source tools that are helping them stay ahead with the new trends in the Industry. 6. Focus on New Trends: Companies are focusing on new technologies and following the new trends in the industry, to keep the balance between demand and supply. Experts from the industry say that testing is going to amaze the world in the next few years. Testers must always be willing to adapt to change and improve skills. As days pass, technology grows, and the world becomes small with improved technology and developments. Especially in case of testing, testers should always follow the market trends and keep evolving. 7. Digital Transformation: Digital transformation is not just the adoption of technology but leveraging opportunities to accelerate priorities. This transformation requires a sudden shift towards the digital testing trends to make their mark in the industry. Testers should grow in every aspect like analytical tools usage, techniques, frameworks, technologies, and many more. Unlike other reasons, industries or companies should undergo this digital transformation for their survival. Without adopting the new trends, it is tough for anyone to cope up with current trends. Businesses go with the transformation rather than transforming the new trends on their own as it is very risky to create new evolutions and make the world follow it. 8. Quality Engineering from Quality Assurance: The world is changing every second and talk about the new technology and evolutions in the market continuously. Quality Assurance is also shifting to Quality engineering, as QA is taking tough competition to keep up the good work. As technology is growing beyond Quality Assurance, it is shifting to quality engineering for the growing responsibilities on the go. Quality engineering is expanding its number and building teams to compete with the demand. QA now becomes more complex with a wide range of skills and technology being witnessed in the industry. 9. Machine Learning gets focused: Machine learning and AI are the buzz heard all around the world today. Technologies on this will get doubled and grab everyone’s attention in the coming years. As these technologies will allow more automation and deliver the best output with the help of automation testers, they will be highly in demand. In coming years, we can surely witness that AI and Machine learning are going to help optimization. AI in software testing will enable growth management, build strong relations, and speed up the change. Accuracy in AI software testing is what makes the client satisfied with speedy delivery and quick transformation in the businesses. 10. To survive in the Industry: Companies are following the software testing trends to survive in the industry and make them live for the world. To mark their presence and give tough competition to others in the industry, businesses are adopting new trends every now and then. If the organizations are evolving continuously, they can stand in a better position in the business and avoid risk for today’s competition in the world. The next decade will see more and more transformation with the usage of open source tools in organizations. Hence, organizations will keep an eye on the fastest growing changes and adopt the changes to increase their visibility in the market. Surviving in the industry is most important, and that is acquired through following the trends in the market. Conclusion: We have discussed most of the software testing trends that are predicted by the experts for the coming years. We can conclude saying that software testing is a never-ending process that keeps changing the process of testing and gives the best outputs in less time. One should definitely watch emerging software testing trends and adopt the changes to challenge digital transformation. Irrespective of the developers, organizations should be aware of developments in the software testing industry. All the above factors will play their role in delivering the quality output in any industry by following the newly evolved trends. Customer expectations also increase with the increasing technology and bring more challenging tasks to the testers ahead. Hence the software tester’s role will be crucial for any industry who are trying to grow further. Developers also need to stay updated with the improved testing trends in the market to meet the demand.

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5 Reasons to Outsource Your QA

Quality Assurance or QA is a critical part of Software Development Lifecycle because it ensures your product is bug free and ready for release in time.The decision of whether to outsource QA does not just depend on the cost arbitrage alone but also several other factors that need to be considered. If you have a large project at hand, outsourcing QA works out to be a cost-effective option.With more than a decade’s experience in storage, Aziro (formerly MSys Technologies) can help you with expert QA services. Explore our Managed Services offering for your QA and Testing requirements. Contact us today!

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8 Tips to Be More Effective in Agile Software Testing

Agile software development happens fast and code releases happen more frequently. Testing in such an environment is very important for coming up with accurate code that works. How does a programmer ensure quality of the code? In agile environment, there are three major challenges: Gathering the requirements and the number of hours committed Creating short-term releases Keeping scrum short for more time for code inspections As an agile software tester, you should be very proficient with the tools you use. Here are eight tips to be more effective in agile software testing. 1. Character Traits of an Agile Tester There are a few character traits and mindsets you should be in for being a successful agile tester. Being passionate, creative, and unafraid is important for an agile tester. The agile tester should have soft skills in management, communication, leadership, etc., as well. These skills will help you envision the client’s expectations before the delivery of the product. 2. Understanding the Data Flow When you know how the data travels inside your application, you are better able to analyze the impact of component failures and security issues. Hence, recognize how the data is used within the application early on in order to report bugs and defects faster. 3. Analyzing the Logs In agile development, understanding the defect that causes an issue in the application under test involves log analysis. Application logs contain a great deal of information about the system-level architecture of the application. Some of the errors that the tester needs to know about are called “silent errors,” which means the end user doesn’t perceive the effect of the error. Log analysis helps you better spot silent errors as well as work more efficiently with the development team. 4. Risk- and Change-Based Testing In agile development, development happens on the fly as does testing. The go-to-market time is all that matters, and the teams work together to achieve the best go-to-market time. When the application gets modified, you, the tester, need to understand which parts of the application are being changed. Also, you need to know the overall effect of the change to the final application. 5. Understand the Business Objectives Agile tester is essentially the end user of the product. Hence, you should know how end users use the product. In order to evaluate your testing strategies, focus on the key areas or parts of the application that an end user is more likely to use. Create separate strategies for product architecture and end users. Also, this end-user-specific categorization allows you to report bugs based on the application’s business objectives, i.e., prioritizing the defects. At the end of the day, meeting end-user requirements is what any business needs. Based on the user stories, QA teams prepare the acceptance criteria. 6. Browser Tools Browser plugins and tools may be highly effective for agile testers sometimes. For instance, Google Chrome and Firefox come with developer tools in-built to allow testers immediately spot errors. Also, there are third-party browser plugins such as FireBug that testers can use. 7. Requirement Repositories Understand what type of agile development strategy your organization uses—Adaptive Software Development (ADP), Agile Unified Process (AUP), Kanban, Scrum, etc. Documentation of test cases and scenarios that the development and testing team create together is very important. Over time, the requirements and test scenarios are gathered into a repository-style system, from which a tester can get a lot of information. 8. Test Early, Often, and Continuously Exploratory Testing (ET) is a practice in which testing is instantaneous. This is very important in agile development. Many testing professionals believe that the testing should be as early, often, and continuous as possible for proper application delivery. All types of testing—functional, load, etc.,—should be put within the project plan. Conclusion In agile software development, rather than the end-product, the development stages are important. Hence, testing is an integral part of the development process. In the early days of software testing, the quality assurance personnel did not have high level access to what is being tested or the results. With agile movement, the software companies and professionals have a more real-time view of the testing environment and scenarios. In agile development, there are shorter iterations leading to smaller test cases. Using a good test automation solution can be helpful in coming up with faster builds. In order to provide a quality product to customers in a short delivery time schedule, Aziro (formerly MSys Technologies) opted for agile testing approach from the conservative waterfall or V-Model, which paved way for us to address the continuously changing requirements and quality feedbacks of the customers.

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How Do I Ensure Effective UI Test Automation?

If you look back 10 years from now, you realize, technological teams did not pay much heed to user-experience. They mostly designed their software based on technological prowess. The code logic had limitations, as the UI was not their core priority. But, that is primitive now. We’ve witnessed a significant attitude adjustment from the developers and the testers, alike. At least for companies that aspire to sail through the disruptive waves of digital technologies. Today, user-first approach beckons the tech-world. Well, this seems logical too. Subsequently, it’s the customers who use the applications. And, they don’t do it for no cost. There is a certain amount of money invested by them. It only makes sense for them to demand a rich user-experience.A software is designed for several users. These users will have different expectations. The key challenge that bother developers is to ensure applications function as intended. It must seamlessly run on different devices, supported by various operating systems and browsers. Consider that your product gets thumbs-up for its UI by 15 of your customers. But, hold on, there are other 10 customers that hasn’t responded positively. So, how do you create a consensus around a product’s usability? This isn’t an easy knot to untie.Developers must have actionable metrics to gauge the functioning of each application feature. A real-time feedback will help create a correct business logic, which will lead to a mindful UI development. That is why, UI test automation becomes essential for an iterative software development. But, to establish an automation framework, tailored to your unique business needs can become treacherous. Every business rule is unique. The major hindrance is bifurcating business logics to put them in one ecosystem.You’ll need a step-by-step guide to create a robust and resilient UI test automation framework.5 principles to remember while developing UI Test Automation strategy for your organization1. Automation Tools without Adept Engineers won’t WorkIt is good to invest in an automation tool. In fact, selecting a right tool that compliments your business needs accelerates your test efforts. It allows 24/7 quality checks ensuring real-time bug detection. Another key benefits of automated tools are that they promote reusability. The teams need not develop same codes multiple time. There is also a better distributed test execution, creating a more comprehensive tests coverage. But, if you are thinking automation tools alone will help you navigate the complex QA requirements, then, think again.A great pool of experts is likewise necessary. Compare your automation tool to a train. Weird, isn’t it? But, just think. This train is best in the world – quality seating, in-house wine, dine, bullet-like speed and lesser fare. But, will this train self-drive you to your preferred destination? No! It will require a great driver to handle the train efficiently. Here, your engineers are your drivers.The engineers will help complete your automation process. There is one small catch, though. Always invest in tools that match the expertise of your team. This will ensure higher productivity and faster results.2. The Desired Combination of Page Factory and Page Object Model with Test ModelWhenever you add a new functionality to your webpage, it results in an extra test script. Over the period of time you realize that the number of test-scripts pile up. This is because a webpage of an application constantly gets updated or upgraded. This make a complex case to handle test scripts. And then, if one of the element in a webpage is consumed by multiple test-scripts, it will hinder the productivity. Because any change in an element will require a similar change in test-scripts that use it. In such a case, a Page Object Model helps the QA teams.The Page Object Model, is a test design pattern that establishes test case reusability. Page Factory on the other hand is a refined version of POM. It helps in instantiating every element within the Page Objects. This eliminates the need for testers to identify each elements and they are always available for operational needs.When QA teams leverage POM and Page Factory with a Test Model, they invariably bring down the code duplications. This in-turn halts the incidences of functionality duplications. The end-result is an easy and manageable test project that has multiple test cases.There are two key rules to follow in POM. First, the number of classes in a POM should match the webpages. Second, the title of POM class should be identical to the name of the webpage.3. Before you begin, Instill a BDD ApproachBDD – Behavior-Driven Development makes code development more practical and human-like. It takes in to account the behavior of users with respect to every code. BDD is led by scenarios, which often are based on different parameters and trigger actions. This way, the development team, QA team and BAs together can catch the pulse of their product outcomes. As a result, there is a greater collaboration among these teams.All the test cases are succinctly documented while following a BDD approach. This help other team members, specially, non-tech folks to better reciprocate to the automation requirements. BDD also brings down the code ambiguities, thereby, curbing the incidences of code duplications. This it does by segregating the tests components that make up your automation ecosystem.Let’s understand through examples. Suppose you wish to set an action in the automation framework. A usual tech approach will like below.Now, let’s simplify that with BDD, which leverages the Gherkin format. See below,4. A System Neutral Automation Framework – Reducing Portability IssuesSuppose QA teams creates an efficient automation framework putting in the required efforts and time. But, this framework only runs on one machine. What if a situation arises, where the QA team is required to run this framework on a different machine? It won’t work. The team then need to put extra efforts to do away with the portability issues.Running an automation framework on a machine requires the test files. Make sure you don’t store your framework files on a local server. Here, Cloud can make it work for you. Storing files on Cloud will help you download them on any machines. These files, then can be attached to a framework and executed on different machines.5. Decouple GUI Testing and Complex System FunctionalitiesOver reliance on UI, can make the test scripts brittle. This deters developers and testers from making changes to scripts. And thus, the whole idea of automation crumbles down. Because, automation’s key role is to speed up things and not clog them. The bottom-line is to remove anything and everything, which does not constitute GUI.

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The Business Level Importance of Software Testing

Today, software development is no longer what it used to be. In the past, you had only one or two platforms to consider while developing software applications. Also, code releases and new versions used to come out once in a year or so. Testing was a relatively relaxed process. Today, we have a plethora of operating systems in both mobile and desktop platforms. In the mobile world, you have Android, Apple iOS, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry. Although BlackBerry and Windows Phone occupy a diminutive slice of the market, you still can’t ignore them. Software testing assumes great importance in the case of agile development where coding is a continuous process.Quality Assurance of Your AppsImagine your bank provided an Android app for such activities as net banking and funds transfer. During development, the bank tested the app only on the Samsung Galaxy family of devices owing to the fact that it was highly popular. Hence, when you open up the app within your Nexus 5, it provides ineffably bad performance with such UI faux pas as invisible buttons, overlapping text boxes, and misaligned menus. You can imagine the poor user experience it would give you. The bank cannot expect all of its users to have Galaxy phones, can it? Android is a serious challenge for testers due to its many versions, and it is adopted by many OEMs in a multitude of hardware configurations. As Android is a free, no-strings-attached operating system, OEMs go out of their way to modify it, developing their own user interfaces. While this freedom proved to be one of the reasons behind the enormous success of Android, it also made the OS flavors incredibly diverse.This device diversity makes testing an Android app an intricate task. Had your bank done proper testing on your Android app with the help of an emulator and a test automation suite such as Mobitaz, the app would have been much better.Types of Software TestingThere are mainly two types of software testing: white-box and black-box testing. The difference between them is minor. In the black-box method, testing is based on the output generated across a range of inputs submitted; in essence, the internal code structure is not evaluated. In white-box testing, aka glass-box testing, the tester takes into account the internal mechanism of the software. Besides these, there are a number of areas a software tester needs to take care of: functionality, system, stress, performance, etc. All these different types of testing ensure that the application runs smoothly and provides all the functionalities expected.Testing in the Android WorldAndroid app testing may be a little more complex than testing desktop applications. As mentioned earlier in the case of the banking application, the tester needs to take care of a huge number of devices. Look at the diversity in the Android market as of February 18, 2014.Version Codename API Distribution 2.2 Froyo 8 1.3% 2.3.3 – 2.3.7 Gingerbread 10 20.0% 3.2 Honeycomb 13 0.1% 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich 15 16.1% 4.1.x Jelly Bean 16 35.5%\ 4.2.x Jelly Bean 17 16.3% 4.3 Jelly Bean 18 8.9% 4.4 KitKat 19 1.8% Android devices, although very sophisticated, do not provide the level of performance of a laptop or a desktop computer. Hence, performance testing of your app is very important. What if your app slows down the entire system thereby frustrating the users?Also, some additional testing methodologies, such as regression testing and unit testing, assume importance in the case of Android apps. Regression testing is a method in which a modified component is tested for its effect in the entire system. Unit testing is done on a single unit or a group of related units. A unit may be one or more software components grouped together.Businesses Depend on Software TestingIf you are into software development, your aim should be to bring your application to the market faster than your competition does. Also, you cannot afford to offer a half-baked product. Your agile development and testing teams have to work hand in hand in order for the app to be stellar in every aspect. A tool to automate the testing of your app may spell the difference between failure and success in such scenarios.Especially in mobile app development, where the competition is extremely hot, you really need to bring your app out fast. In such cases, an excellent test automation solution is a necessity.ConclusionAndroid is an operating system that enjoys continuous development. New features are added continually. Your app should be capable of taking advantage of this aspect of Android. Multi-touch gestures are one such feature that many test automation suites failed to incorporate for several years; however, Mobitaz supports it as well as other difficult-to-automate components as found in hybrid apps. Aziro (formerly MSys Technologies)’s Mobitaz has been quick to catch up to the market with all the necessary features of a robust test automation solution.

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What is Difference Between Quality Assurance vs Quality Control?

Many times the terms QA (Quality Assurance) and QC (Quality Control) are interchangeably used by people, especially those who are new to the field of Software Testing, however, this is incorrect. Both QA and QC are two unique approaches to improving the quality of the software under development and they are at the heart of Software Development. But both play a vital role in test automation strategy. Quality Assurance and Quality Control are related to each other, but they are originated based on different needs. Quality Assurance is more of a process oriented approach, and it focuses on the prevention of defects, whereas Quality Control is a product oriented approach, and it focuses on defect identification and fixes. The Difference ISO defines Quality Control as a part of quality management focused on fulfilling quality requirements, and Quality Assurance as a part of quality management focused on providing confidence that quality requirement will be fulfilled. There is a need to have systematic planning of all the processes in place, and these, in terms of Quality Assurance need to be demonstrated in order to provide the confidence to the quality of the software. A Quality Assurance review would focus on the process elements of a project e.g. ‘Are all the necessary and sufficient details captured in the requirements?’. Defining the methodology and developing standards are some of the important examples that can be mentioned under the domain of Quality Assurance. Quality Control requires the same; however, here the focus is more on the systematic planning of the operational techniques. In case of specific deliverables, Quality Control would mean finding defects in it e.g. ‘Are the right details captured in the requirements?’ There can be a blurred line between who should be responsible for Quality Assurance and who for Quality Control, and this would vary from organization to organization and from situation to situation within an organization, however, while both of these can be in-house, and can be done by a single team as well, an external Quality Assurance function definitely throws a clearer light on whether QA is being implemented correctly or not. Again, this would depend upon how mature the organization’s Quality Assurance or Project Management practices are, and how exactly the organization wants to enhance them in the days to come. Inculcating these practices right from the beginning to the best level possible can help an organization polish their Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices, and implement them fully in-house to avoid external dependency. Below is a comprehensive table enlisting the clear differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control, for better understanding of the reader: Quality Assurance Quality Control Quality Assurance is the process of managing the quality of the software under development Quality Control is the set of methods used to verify the quality of the output delivered by the software QA is more of a comprehensive activity in which establishing long-term good quality management systems – and assessing that those systems help us conform to the customer requirements – is done. Thus, QA is process-oriented. QC is more of a product-specific activity in which tools and equipment are used to confirm that the customer’s requirements are continually met. Thus, QC is product-oriented. QA is proactive. It identifies the weaknesses in processes beforehand. QC is reactive. It identifies the defects in the software system after its development, and then fixes them as required. QA prevents the occurrence of issues, bugs, or defects in the system. Thus, it is more managerial in nature. QC identifies the issues, bugs, or defects in the system, and then works towards fixing them. Thus, it is more corrective in nature. QA requires manual checking of documents or files, such as Quality Plans or Test Plans. QC is often done by automatically running the program or software, and then physically measuring if the system runs according to the prescribed requirements. QA does not involve executing the program or code. QA always involves executing the program or the code being tested. Every person who is part of the Software Development is essentially responsible for the overall Quality Assurance of the product. Testing Team is primarily responsible for conducting the Quality Control. QA is a type of Verification, because it involves checking if you’re doing the right thing in the right way. QC is a type of Validation, because it involves checking if what is done is right. QA involves planning for a process. It is basically defining standards and processes to be followed in order to meet the customer requirements. QC involves taking action towards the process by executing it. It is basically ensuring that the necessary standards or requirements are met. Examples of a few QA Activities: – Process Definition and Implementation – Audits – Training Examples of a few QC Activities: – Code Reviews – Test case development – Software Testing – Defect fixing There can be a blurred line between who should be responsible for Quality Assurance and who for Quality Control, and this would vary from organization to organization and from situation to situation within an organization. But, while both of these can be in-house, and can be done by a single team as well, an external Quality Assurance service provider definitely throws a clearer light on whether QA is being implemented correctly or not. Again, this would depend upon how mature the organization’s Quality Assurance Services or Project Management practices are, and how exactly the organization wants to enhance them in the days to come. Inculcating these practices right from the beginning to the best level possible can help an organization polish their Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices, and implement them fully in-house to avoid external dependency.

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Gear up for RSAC 2018 in San Francisco

For a more secure tomorrow! It’s time to gear up for RSA Conference 2018! From April 16-20, the Moscone Center in San Francisco will play host to this much awaited event of the year. The cybersecurity landscape is becoming challenging every day. This time around, the RSA Conference aims to focus on Security as the key subject for discussion. The event this year will have experts talking about new approaches to info security and latest technology as you interact with top security leaders and pioneers. Prepare yourself with an action-packed schedule filled with hands-on sessions, keynotes and informal gatherings at RSAC 2018. Keynotes and Speakers Kunal Patel, Security Architect, Samsung Research America Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO, Girls Who Code Mayana Pereira, Data Scientist, Infoblox Bruce Schneier, CTO, IBM Resilient, IBM Security New features As an additional new feature, the conference this time has also introduced RSAC onDemand! A new way to experience RSA Conference, online. Now be a part of RSAC 2018 from the comfort of your home! So all you infosec enthusiasts, get ready to join thousands of industry professionals at the premier information security event of 2018. Get a meeting in advance with our security experts at RSAC 2018. Register here Let’s connect on Twitter. You can tweet us @MSys_Tech

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Everything You would Want to Know About Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance has evolved over a period of time. Often incorrectly used interchangeably with Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA) is a wider concept that covers all policies and systematic activities implemented within a development system. That is why it is of utmost important for any test automation services provider to understand these concept before developing test automation strategy and finalizing QA testing tools. The American Heritage Dictionary defines quality as “a characteristic or attribute of something.” As an attribute of an item, quality refers to measurable characteristics – things we are able to compare to known standards such as length, color, electrical properties, and malleability. However, in case of software, our parameters would be Quality of design and Quality of conformance. Software quality assurance (SQA) consists of a means of monitoring the software engineering processes and methods used to ensure quality of the software under development. It is an umbrella activity that is applied to each step in the software process. SQA encompasses the entire software development process, which includes processes such as requirements definition, software design, coding, source code control, code reviews, software configuration management, testing, release management, and product integration. Software requirements are the foundation from which quality is measured. Lack of conformance to requirements is lack of quality. Specified standards define a set of development criteria that guide the manager in which software is engineered. If the criteria are not followed, lack of quality will almost surely result. A set of implicit requirements often goes unmentioned (e.g., the desire for ease of use and good maintainability). If software conforms to its explicit requirements but fails to meet implicit requirements, software quality is suspect. At times, it is also advised to rope in an expert software testing services vendor that can help you navigate the testing challenges. The Importance of Quality Assurance The role and demand of Software Quality Assurance is critically increasing these days, because even as teams and budgets are shrinking, the demand for better quality is continuously increasing. Despite experiencing disastrous consequences of costly defect cycles that force changes in processes from the Quality Assurance (or the entire Software Development as such), companies continue to neglect the critical role of quality assurance when it matters most. This is where implementing a few standard Software Quality Assurance practices will take quality assurance long way: Making SQA an inherent part of the technical team Taking inputs from SQA while gathering requirements Being specific about Requirements Predefining Quality Standards Measuring simple Quality Metrics Setting Team and Individual Goals Testing Smarter and Automatically Leveraging Automation Tools wherever needed Continuous Communication, Collaboration, and Optimization across departments Software Quality Assurance is everyone’s job Software Quality is everyone’s job; that can be achieved through competent analysis, design, coding, and testing, as well as through the application of formal technical reviews, a multitier testing strategy, better control of software work products and the changes made to them, and the application of accepted software engineering standards. In addition, quality can be defined in terms of a broad array of quality factors and measured (indirectly) using a variety of indices and metrics. Over the past three decades, the software development community has begun agreeing that a more formal approach to Software Quality Assurance is required. If the requirements model (requirements specifications) and the programming languages can be represented in a rigorous manner, it should be possible to apply mathematic proof of correctness to demonstrate that a program conforms exactly to its specifications. Software Quality Assurance Activities Software Quality Assurance is composed of a variety of tasks associated with two different constituencies – the software engineers who do technical work and an SQA group that has responsibility for quality assurance planning, oversight, record keeping, analysis, and reporting. Software Quality Engineers address quality, and perform quality assurance (and quality control) activities by applying solid technical methods and measures. The engagement of Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Software Testers in conducting Formal Technical Reviews, White Box Reviews and Analysis has increased these days, and it is a big achievement for the Quality Assurance Industry. Software Quality Assurance Plan The Software Quality Assurance Plan (SQA Plan) provides a road map for instituting software quality assurance. Developed by the SQA group, the plan serves as a template for SQA activities that are instituted for each software project. There are a variety of standards recommended for SQA Plans. However, the general idea is to describe the purpose and scope of the document and indicate those software process activities in the initial sections that are covered by quality assurance. All documents noted in the plan are listed and all applicable standards are noted. The management section of the plan describes SQA’s place in the organizational structure, SQA tasks and activities and their placement throughout the software process, and the organizational roles and responsibilities relative to product quality. One of the most important sections is that of the Documentation produced and used as part of the software process. These include: Project Documents (e.g. project plan) Models (e.g. ERDs, class hierarchies) Technical Documents (e.g. specifications, test plans) User Documents (e.g. help files) The nomenclature for these documents is vast and continuing to evolve. The standards, practices, and conventions section lists all applicable standards and practices that are applied during the software process (e.g. document standards, coding standards, and review guidelines). In addition, all project, process, and (in some instances) product metrics that are to be collected as part of software engineering work are listed. The reviews and audits section identifies the reviews and audits to be conducted by the software engineering team, the SQA group, and the customer. It provides an overview of the approach for each review and audit. The test section references the Software Test Plan and Procedure. It also defines test record-keeping requirements. Problem reporting and corrective action defines procedures for reporting, tracking, and resolving errors and defects, and identifies the organizational responsibilities for these activities. The remainder of the plan identifies the tools and methods that will be used during the Software Quality Assurance Activities. Software Quality Assurance and DevOps In a pure DevOps world, Quality Assurance is no longer the gatekeeper between development and operations – the bottleneck. QA is an enabler. On one side, Quality Assurance works together with development in trying to add more of their test runs into the continuous integration system. The idea is to have minimal (rather zero) human intervention. These tests must be able to generate their own test results data. On the other hand, QA works with operations to collaborate on monitoring tools; for example to continuously run smoke or acceptance tests in Production.

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