Entries from May 2007 ↓

These are some of the helpful links about software testing:

In this post I am going to answer some of the questions asked by one of the reader Srinivas M.

1. In an application currently in production, one module of code is being modified. Is it necessary to re-test the whole application or is it enough to just test functionality associated with that module?

Vijay: Well, the answer is both. You will have to test the functionality of that module as well as the other modules. But you can differentiate on the stress to be given on the module to be tested.

I think this scenario will explain the answer to your question well.

If Module A is modified, Module B is depending on module A, and Module C is a general module independent of module A.
So in this case you will test the module A in depth to all test cases. Then your next stress will be on module B. Wait now what about module C? You will have to test this module as well but may be with less stress because module C is not depend on module A but may be depend on module B.

Again if you are a white box tester you probably know which modules will get affected and which modules should be tested. But as a black box tester you will need to do regression testing as well.

2. What is the most challenging situation you had during testing?

Vijay: A good question! When I switched my job some years back I was being asked the same question.
Well a good answer to this question is depends on each ones experience. If you came across any such a situation and found any interesting Bug that was difficult to find out or analyzed any project risk accurately before occurring then this could be the answer to this question.

Keep in mind that when answering such a question, be realistic and don’t overstress the situation.

3. What are you going to do if there is no Functional Spec or any documents related to the system and developer who wrote the code does not work in the company anymore, but you have system and need to test?

Vijay: A typical situation in Indian companies! Right? Due to high attrition rate
In this case fist you will need to do the exploratory testing of the product. In this testing you will come to know the system and its basic workflow. In exploratory testing you can also find some ‘blocker’ bugs that cause system to be crash.

If you are a white box tester then next step you can do is to see the different module code. By this you will know the test cases for different modules and relation of modules.

If you have any question please comment it below.

Many Companies don’t have resources or can’t afford to hire the required number of testers on the project. So what could be the solution in this case?

The answer is simple. Companies will prefer to have skilled testers instead of a army of testers!

So how can build skilled testers on any project?
You can improve testers performance by assigning him/her to the single project.
Due to this the tester will get the detail knowledge of the project domain, Can concentrate well on that project, can do the R&D work during the early development phase of the project.

This not only build his/her functional testing knowledge but also the project Domain knowledge.

Company can use following methods to Improve the Testers performance:
1) Assign one tester to one project for long duration or to the entire project. Doing this will build testers domain knowledge, He/She can write better test cases, Can cover most of the test cases, and eventually can find the problem faster.

2) Most of the testers can do the functional testing, BV analysis but they may not know how to measure test coverage,How to test a complete application, How to perform load testing. Company can provide the training to their employees in those areas.

3) Involve them in all the project meetings, discussions, project design so that they can understand the project well and can write the test cases well.

4) Encourage them to do the extra activities other than the regular testing activities. Such activities can include Inter team talk on their project experience, Different exploratory talks on project topics.

Most important is to give them freedom to think outside the box so that they can take better decision on Testing activities like test plan, test execution, test coverage.

If you have a better idea to boost the testers performance don’t forget to comment on!