Software Testing Methodologies are prescribed set of guidelines that help us test the Application Under Test (AUT) as per the expectations of the client as well as functional requirements of the AUT. There are several different Functional and Non Functional Testing types that aim to test all aspects of an application. There are methodologies that every tester must know. Each software testing methodology has its own focus and involves specific goals, strategies, and deliverables which are used to test every nook and corner of a system to ensure that the software built is working fine.
Software Testing methodologies also include Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, Performance Testing etc.
Note: Testing methodologies are NOT standalone. These Testing methodologies are used as part of Software Development Methodologies such as Waterfall, Iterative or Agile Methodology to plan, execute and incorporate testing throughout the development lifecycle.
Waterfall model is perhaps the oldest methodology that is still used in the industry. In waterfall methodology development is broken down into various phases and has to be done in a strict linear sequence.
Each phase involves different activities, for eg: Requirements Gathering phase which involves gathering requirements for the project. Every activity under each phase must be completed before the team can move on to the next phase. Testing comes into the picture only after the development of the application is complete.
Every waterfall methodology has following phases:
Requirements Analysis phase starts with gathering requirements for the project. Testers document their testing scope along with a detailed Test Strategy during requirements analysis phase. Once the Design and Implementation phases are over the team finally moves on to execute test cases to validate the application against the requirements gathered during the analysis phase.
Note: Few phases are common in every waterfall lifecycle whereas few vary from one organization/project to another.
Waterfall model is easy to understand. You know exactly where you are in a phase, when it starts and when it ends.
Since requirements are gathered at the start of the project and doesn’t change it becomes very easy for testers to understand what needs to be tested. Hence testing becomes easy as well.
Once a phase starts you can’t go back until its over.
What if requirement gathered are not complete? Projects will experience delays.
Iterative development is the method of breaking down large application or project into smaller components. Each component is developed using repeated cycles which may also follow waterfall model phases within each iteration.
Every iteration represents either completion of working software module or improves an existing software module.
Testing is carried out at the end of every iteration. This ensures that every component is tested before going live.
Testing is done at the end of every iteration.
Incrementally the system grows better as features are added.
Small Components helps in better understanding of the project.
Requires feedback between every iteration. Continues communication becomes hectic sometimes.
Project Management becomes difficult due iterations within a project.
Scope Creep: Projects using Agile methodology goes through scope creep most of the time.
Waterfall is ideal for projects with defined requirements and not changing throughout the lifecycle whereas Iterative allows the development team to improve upon previous versions.
If your clients requirement changes every now and then or are unclear about what they want you should opt for Agile Methodology.
Hope you liked Software Testing Methodologies – Full List with Example blog. Testing is an important phase of application development and every phase must deliver a well tested application.
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