Why Software Testing is a Tough Job? And Here is How You Can Make It Easy

Being in testing, you’re lucky to avoid dealing with messy tasks like prototyping, client confirmation, development, and logic, as a frustrated developer pointed out.

But I have to look after the mess you created,–a frustrated tester

A long silence.

Most of the time, being in the testing industry, we have experienced mixed emotions – it seems easy and at times it feels really difficult.

Let’s explore together that world of toughness today. And how can we make it easier for us?

Why Is Testing A Tough Job

#1) Can’t make product bug free

No matter how much we try, we cannot make the product bug-free and that’s why the profession is being seen as unnecessary.

To test software, we put our best efforts into defining coverage, identifying risk factors, executing numerous test scenarios, preparing test reports, and analyzing data, but we cannot make the product bug-free and that makes us unwanted.

But the truth is – we are helping to make the product qualitative and no one can deny it.

#2) Bugs are being seen as a fault rather than a help

The new generation of developers continues the traditional thinking. Most of the time (there are rare exceptions too), testers are being seen as problem makers. Bugs reported by the tester are a fault.

Developers don’t like (again there are exceptions) if a bug is found in their code. First, they try to argue that it’s not a bug, then they will try to convince them it’s expected behavior and finally, if they have to accept and work on it, they are prone to defer/reject another two bugs by the tester. See here about why your bugs may get rejected.

#3) Less involvement and more expectation

This is a common scenario for every software project. No one wants to include testers in finalizing requirements, no one is interested in how the tester thinks about the product, and how the testing team struggles to reach the timeline.

With this, expectations from the testing team are always high. They should prepare all the documents (even though the time for testing itself is much less), and they should cover all the scenarios (as a tester, you are unforgivable if you miss any test scenario). They should complete testing on time (as test execution is just like executing the script).

They should report bugs in the best manner possible, they should generate test reports (analysis and reporting require time), and finally, they should work as gatekeepers (to be held accountable if customers find any issues).

Also Read => Is Software Tester’s Job Really a Low-profile Job?

Please note that by describing the above points, I did not mean to offend developers or anyone else from different departments in developing the product.

How To Make a Tester’s Job Easy

By saying that, I would like to throw some light on how we, as a tester, can be better and can make our job easier:

#1) Stand by your reasons

What would be your response if the product manager says that the ‘Forgot password’ link was not present on the login page because a customer did not specify about it?

If you are going to believe them, sorry dear friend, you are way behind from being a good tester. A good tester does not test better, he argues better too.

When you think something is illogical, wrongly implemented, misunderstood, or not taken care of, please argue and debate until the last level of management. You should not be afraid or nod your head simply.

Remember, the one who cannot contend with a genuine bug cannot do testing at all.

#2) Real-time product testing relevance

As usual, I always emphasize making the mind work.

• If you are traveling by bus, think about how you can test the bus.
• If you are buying vegetables, think about how you can make different recipes from them.
• If you are exercising, think about how much load that treadmill could take on. What would happen if it’s loaded too much?
• If you are playing a game, think about how it would be played if multi-players were involved and what roles they would play.
• If you are watching your favorite movie, think about how would you recover if there is a sudden power cut.

That real-time relevance and exercises will help you think more, work more, and ultimately perform in a better way.

Remember, testing is all about ideas (I know I am repeating it.

#3) Learn everything – communication, scripting, testing, and finally analysis

No matter whether you are a fresher or carrying 10 years of experience, the moment you stop learning, your career starts decaying. No career sees the learning curve as fast as software testing.

Learn about new technologies, new testing ideas, how to communicate well and convey your thoughts, how to analyze data and also to report defects.

Make learning your daily task and you will see wonders. Don’t stop learning, don’t get scared of new things, don’t overlook challenges, and don’t be over-confident.

Remember, if you don’t learn, life will make you learn it hard.

Also, read => 10 Qualities That Can Make You a Good Tester

#4) Do testing rather than working

What is your job profile as a tester? Question

I immediately end up the interview if the person mentions that he/she executes 1000 test cases/day reports 100 bugs in a week and knows 5 test automation tools.

The real tester does not depend upon numbers; he looks for opportunities to test.

When you learn to see success in getting more coverage rather than executing more test cases, you are a good tester. You are testing when you are spending the time to reproduce the critical bug rather than adding up low severity/priority bug (someone else will do it on your behalf).

Conclusion

To conclude, I would say that software testing is a passion-driven profession. Whether you choose it by chance or by choice, you can always excel if you want to.

About the author: This nice post is written by STH team member Bhumika M.

Happy testing! Eagerly awaiting your responses, arguments, input, and suggestions.