Software Testing Strategy

In today's world, it is extremely important to test software before launching it on the market. This is crucial for both the software providers and end users to ensure a functionally robust and quality application. Failure to do so can result in costly maintenance, lost revenue from product recalls and a loss of business credibility.

Testing is generally performed to establish whether the product is accurately performing the function it was intended for. When software is tested, it is tested against benchmark standards. These standards are functionally defined by the client and formally defined in the software development plan. The software test process is part and parcel of the software development lifecycle.

In a software program, two terminologies are used at the time of testing the software. These are (1) fault and (2) failure. Failure is the situation where the software fails to meet the functional requirements of the user. A fault is generally an error that may or may not manifest itself in the form of an application error.

Under normal circumstances, the tester determines the requirements. This is the first step in the entire process and is the most crucial. Success of the entire process depends on the software fulfilling its original intended scope. The software is next tested for performance standards. Test strategies are articulated in the test plan which comprises part of the software development plan. After this stage, the software testers launch the software under real test conditions and report any problems or errors to the development team. This process helps them create a catalogue of the errors. Re-testing is also done to ensure that no extra problems develop after the initial stage has been cleared. Verification is also performed to ensure smooth working of the software under routine daily circumstances. After all these steps have determined the reliability and dependability of the software, a final check is performed to ensure that the software is able to meet the goals it was developed for.

At times the number of faults detected during testing is quite large. Test software is used to catalogue these errors and to allow rollback in the event that new code creates a new series of errors. Specialized development software allows the systematic recording of errors and centralizes the process in a collaborative environment. When beta testing is used, end user feedback helps to streamline the test process by allowing many users to report bugs and suggest performance improvements. Testing software ultimately results in superior product.

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