Optimizing regression testing in an Agile Environment
Agile software development has sort of revolutionized the software development process through constant updates, optimizing user feedback, achieving faster time-to-market and ROI. But, it comes with certain challenges such as balancing regression testing practices and agile sprints. These challenges need to be addressed in a cohesive manner so that more productive outcomes can be expected in line with software development and testing. In this article, you will get to know about optimizing regression testing in an agile environment.
What is regression testing?
It is a testing method that ensures the updations, modifications done to the code do not alter or modify the existing functionalities of the software application. It ensures that the software application is working as per the expectations, despite making changes, modifications or updations to the code.
Following are two key challenges in regression testing from an agile project manager’s standpoint:
1. Lack of focus: There may be instances where a tester or developer might lack focus in ensuring that the same test cases are run over and over again for a longer period of time. This may cause an issue with production, as bugs can be detected, which will in turn scale up the project costs.
2. Lot of time and effort are consumed: A lot of time is required to perform regression testing especially in large-scale projects. In certain scenarios, an entire sprint is spent by teams on regression testing, which generally is not acceptable. When there is a lot of time and effort that is being consumed, then related costs will also increase.
To tackle the above two challenges in a strategic and result-oriented manner, it is better to optimize regression testing in an agile environment.
Following are three important methods to optimize regression testing in an agile environment:
1. Allocating the regression testing activities: In this method, regression testing is divided into two testing activities as follows:
· Full regression: A full regression test is run by test engineers before the release, in order to make sure that the application works as expected.
· Iterative regression: At the end of each sprint, iterative regression is performed by the team. In this method, the focus is on features and changes that have been made in the application and specific areas of the application that may have faltered.
In order to gain maximum benefit from the above mentioned two methods, there should be authentic communication that needs to take place within the project team.
2. Prioritize tests based on tasks:
In this method, a risk based approach is applied to regression testing. The risk is categorized based on priorities as follows:
· High priority: The total number of regression test cases comprise around 10%. Crucial software aspects, software functions are covered, that are valuable for defect prone aspects, its users, and those areas where many changes have been undertaken.
· Medium priority: The total number of regression test cases comprise around 30%. Exceptional conditions (boundary value test cases, negative test cases etc.,) are described in here. In this step, test cases are applied in line with those bugs that are detected repeatedly in previous software releases.
· Low priority: The remaining 60% of regression test cases are covered in this step and the rest of the software functionality is validated.
3. Using a collaborative approach for prioritizing tests: In this method, all project team members are allowed to contribute their unique perspective and knowledge in line with regression testing. When the iteration process is taking place, every change that has been done during the iteration process is covered and worked upon by the project team.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing regression testing for your specific software development project, then do get connected with a leading software testing services company that will provide you with a methodical plan of action for implementing testing techniques in line with your project specific requirements.
About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.