Tricks and Tips to Boost Regression Testing Process

Regression is one of the best software testing types, but, then there are some crucial issues pertaining to regression testing such as failing many times and difficulty in tests being changed when the application changes. There are certain strategies and techniques that if applied in a well-thought-out manner by a skilled team of testers and developers, then regression testing can be optimized to a great extent. In this article, you will get to know a few tips and tricks to boost the regression testing process.

Following are a few tips and tricks to boost the regression testing process:

1. A single flow must be automated independently: Automation tests should not rely on the previous test’s output or the data that has been created in the previous test, which in actuality is considered to be a good practice. When the tests are kept independent from each other, then regardless of when the tests are executed, the behaviour of the test remains the same.

The other benefit of the tests being independent is that the tests rely on each other, and therefore regardless of whether the tests are run alone or in a test suite, there will be consistent results.

2. Test specific selectors need to be used: Automated tests will cause flakiness usually when the tests have used the elements and have been changed, while the sprint process was going on and the team was working on the code.

In order to fix this, a test specific identifier needs to be used in your automated tests and in your HTML.

3. Checklist updates should be frequently updated: Usually, low-level checklists are used when daily regression testing is performed on most of the modules. These checklists are created many months before itself based on the mockups and requirements. However, when there is a change in the requirements and new features have been added up to the software, the checklists need to be constantly updated throughout the development process.

Periodic breaks can be taken from the regression testing routine by switching to documentation being updated. This will in turn help in stopping the daunting routine of regression testing.

4. The inclusion of exploratory testing: If the same checks are being run from the same checklist everyday, then it would be better to expand the horizons through exploratory testing. In order to make the regression testing process more productive and interesting, it would be better to integrate exploratory testing.

This will help the team to go beyond the checklist scope and have a look at these test cases from a different perspective. The long-written test cases can be enhanced and inconsistencies can be found effectively in both the checklists, which also contain the expected results. If the regression testing routine incorporates exploratory testing, then getting stuck in the loop of long-written daily checks can be avoided by the testing team.

5. The test environment can be altered: It becomes a tedious responsibility for daily tests to be conducted in the daily test environment. Gradually it becomes a tunnel vision with a lack of enthusiasm. In order to ensure that the QA teams are not losing their interest towards work, it would always be better to change the environment periodically and then test on different devices, browsers and platforms.

For example, regression testing is performed today on the Windows platform in the Firefox browser, the next day you test it on the Mac, and the day after you test it on the Linux platform.

In this manner, bugs that are specific to the particular devices, browsers and platforms can be detected easily and effectively.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing regression testing for your specific software development project, then do get connected with a globally acclaimed software testing services company that will provide you with a viable testing framework that is precisely 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.