How to Plan Your Manual Testing Strategy?

Manual testing is an essential part of the software developmental process as it helps identify various defects in the software before it is released into the marketplace. These defects can be either visible or hidden, which if unidentified, may create a bigger risk for end-users. Though manual testing processes take a lot of time and effort, software needs to be developed.

So in this blog, we are going to discuss test strategy in manual testing, what is test strategy in manual testing, how to develop a good manual test strategy, etc. It is to guide newcomers in the field of software testing on how different methods of manual testing work and under which scenarios. With no further ado, let us dive into the subject and have a detailed discussion.

I. Understanding Manual Testing

Definition and scope

Manual testing is the method or methodology of testing software to find defects, flaws, or potential risk factors. In this process, a quality tester is required. The tester steps into the shoes of end users to verify whether the software is working according to its expected behavior or not.

Comparison with automated testing

Manual testing is laborious, time-consuming, and needs a lot of effort. That is the reason why automated testing has come on the rise in the last few years. Automated testing and manual testing have been the talk of the town for quite some time. The debate has centered around whether automated testing is as accurate or more than manual testing, whether it helps save a lot of time and resources, and whether it’s even better than manual testing or not. But the reality stands at the fact that automated testing has proved to be lacking human creativity, perspective, and more.

The role of manual testing in quality assurance

Therefore the role of manual testing in quality assurance remains quite high since artificial intelligence cannot replace human consciousness. The demand for manual testers is hence going up with everyday advances in the field of software. So if you are one of those software testing enthusiasts, here are a few basic steps you must know before you dive into QA testing.

II. Establishing a Solid Foundation

The first step to building a robust test strategy in manual testing is to understand what the project requires. The best way to understand the scope of manual software testing is by going through the project requirements thoroughly.

As a software tester or a QA tester, you are responsible for handling the stakeholders too. Keeping that in mind, make sure your tests are conducive to the business requirement. Once these basic things are decided, you can then go forward with the next step of building a team.

Now to start with the project you will require a workforce. Having a formidable team of knowledgeable, and skilled software testers can help take care of the project requirements better. To do that you can post ads on various platforms and interview individuals until you find the right candidates for your team.

III. Planning and Documentation

The next step in manual testing strategy building is test planning. In this scenario, as a software tester, one must be involved in the process of developing a detailed test plan. It may include identifying the right testing types, and required resources, setting up the right schedules, etc. While also identifying the appropriate scenarios and cases.

Just planning is not enough in the manual testing approach. Documentation is equally important. As a sensible software tester, you will also be responsible for maintaining clear, concise, and accurate documentation of the test plans. Some of the best practices for documenting test cases include documenting the objective, scope, methods, resources, risk factors, etc. involved in a project.

IV. Test Execution Strategies

A good manual test strategy usually has a lot of tests lined up one after the other. As a software tester, you will be required to prioritize test cases based on their impact, frequency of use, risk, etc. It is an important step in creating a strategy for manual testing as it ensures that the thoroughness and efficiency of the methods of manual testing are balanced throughout.

A good manual tester also must keep room for exploratory testing. Exploratory testing refers to those tests that are done instantaneously. It is usually based on the tester’s knowledge and experience over the years to test software and validate its functioning. In these kinds of manual testing, more often than not, testers come up with new and unexpected findings which can later prove to be an important factor for improvement.

V. Enhancing Test Coverage

The next stage in developing a good manual test strategy is to enhance your test coverage. It can be done by including cross-platform, cross-device tests for the software. These tests are used to ensure that the software is functioning as expected over various platforms, networks, devices, environments, etc.

Another aspect that enhances the manual testing strategy is user scenario testing. These tests are done by testers who mimic real-world user behavior. It helps in getting a diverse user perspective and improves the software functionality in that area.

VI. Quality Metrics and Feedback

Some other factors help enhance the manual testing approach. It includes identifying and monitoring the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). There are several KPIs like Test Case Efficiency, Defect Density, Test Execution, Time taken for tests, Defect resolution Time, Quality Ratio, and more. Using these KPIs or metrics, software testers can guide developers to the key areas of improvement.

Communication is essential for any software tester. That is why it is also very important that you keep your team of developers and stakeholders constantly updated about any updates, feedback, or newly adapted testing strategies.

VII. Tools and Resources

Though manual testing refers to testing a software item manually, there are quite a few tools that you can use to make your work efficient. For instance, you can use:

• Selenium to test web applications. It helps in understanding the breakpoints of software and offers support in improving them.
• Testlink is another brilliant tool to use in manual testing. It makes your testing process way more precise and less time-consuming. It also helps create comprehensive reports in any format including MS Excel, Spreadsheets, etc.
• Use Loadrunner when you need to gauge the load-taking ability of the software. Loadrunner can efficiently create or simulate thousands of users to work on the software simultaneously to help understand the capabilities of the software.
• Apache JMeter is another robust tool that permits the parameterization of data. It also facilitates the process of test plan building by providing various debugging capabilities.

Even though these are the most popular manual testing tools, there is always an uprising of newer technology. It is always advised to keep in touch with the industry, its new discoveries, and community of other software testers to keep learning and expanding your knowledge in the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as a beginner, keep in mind that the test strategies that you come up with must be in compliance with the project requirement, business goals, time and resources available. Rest, having a formidable team and a proactive team of developers will make your work easy. And have clear, concise communication with your team and stakeholders to make sure the project is delivered smoothly.