The Keys to Successful User Acceptance Testing Best Practices to Follow

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<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Introduction"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Introduction</a></li><li><a href="#Defining_Brain_fog"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Defining Brain fog:</a></li><li><a href="#Identifying_the_Causes_of_Brain_Fog"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Identifying the Causes of Brain Fog:</a></li><li><a href="#What_Causes_Brain_Fog_in_Software_Testers"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> What Causes Brain Fog in Software Testers?</a></li><li><a href="#Recommended_Strategies_to_Overcome_Brain_Fog"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Recommended Strategies to Overcome Brain Fog</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion_Putting_it_all_Together"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Conclusion: Putting it all Together</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-introduction"><span id="Introduction"><strong>Introduction</strong></span></h2>



<p>Hello there,</p>



<p>Welcome to another interesting blog that discusses the current hardships that we face. The past few years have indeed been tough for all of us. We were all faced with several challenges, both professionally and personally. One of the primary causes for this was COVID-19. Following the epidemic, we are returning to normalcy. Most of us are still dealing with <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-post-covid-19-condition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post-covid symptoms</a> like depression, anxiety, stress, and so on. You may or may not be aware of the implications. However, in order to live a calm existence, it is imperative that these issues be addressed.</p>



<p>In today&#8217;s article, we&#8217;ll look at brain fog and its impacts. Is this a brand-new term? Don&#8217;t be concerned! We&#8217;ve got you covered. Let us study and practice together.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s study and use some of the finest strategies for overcoming brain fog.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-defining-brain-fog"><span id="Defining_Brain_fog"><strong>Defining Brain fog:</strong></span></h2>



<p>The word &#8220;brain fog&#8221; refers to feelings of forgetfulness, bewilderment, and mental exhaustion. Brain fog is a prevalent occurrence that affects everyone, particularly in the post-COVID age. While brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, it is a genuine and distressing condition that can have an impact on your quality of life. When you have brain fog, it might be difficult to remember what you&#8217;ve learned, focus on your work, and think clearly. It can also make it difficult to think creatively or make decisions. In rare cases, brain fog might result in memory loss.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 20px">Brain fog can cause several symptoms, including:</p></p>



<p>&#8211; Being forgetful or unable to focus</p>



<p>&#8211; Being confused or disoriented&nbsp;</p>



<p>&#8211; Having difficulty performing activities&nbsp;</p>



<p>&#8211; Being mentally exhausted</p>



<br><h2 id="h-identifying-the-causes-of-brain-fog"><span id="Identifying_the_Causes_of_Brain_Fog"><strong>Identifying the Causes of Brain Fog:</strong></span></h2>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 20px">Brain fog is a prevalent problem that affects people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. A multitude of reasons can contribute to it, including stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, dehydration, and hormone abnormalities.</p></p>



<ul><li>Stress can overwhelm the brain, rendering it incapable of processing information properly.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Sleep deprivation can make it harder to concentrate and comprehend information.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Poor diet can lead to brain fog because the body needs certain nutrients to function properly.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Dehydration can cause disorientation and difficulties concentrating.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Hormonal imbalances might leave you feeling hazy and distracted.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Additionally, it can be caused by environmental factors like noise or light levels.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p><p style="padding-top: 20px">Identifying the origin of brain fog is critical for effective treatment. It is critical to monitor lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep, diet, and hydration.</p></p>



<h2 id="h-what-causes-brain-fog-in-software-testers"><span id="What_Causes_Brain_Fog_in_Software_Testers"><strong>What Causes Brain Fog in Software Testers?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Brain fog can be a debilitating condition for software testers, making it difficult to focus, remember facts, and recall details. It can be a source of frustration and cause of distress for testers, but there are ways to work through it. It is a state of confusion and difficulty to focus, which can make even the easiest of tasks seem difficult. As a software tester, it can be hard to complete tasks when brain fog is on the rise. By identifying the causes of brain fog, software testers can begin to move past it and shine brighter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are many possible causes of brain fog for software testers. It can be due to sleeplessness caused by project issues and timelines, improper work-life balance, same mundane project work, missing fun at work, etc. Whatever the cause, brain fog can make it difficult to think clearly and perform at your best.</p>



<h2 id="h-recommended-strategies-to-overcome-brain-fog"><span id="Recommended_Strategies_to_Overcome_Brain_Fog"><strong>Recommended Strategies to Overcome Brain Fog</strong></span></h2>



<p>We all suffer from brain fog at one time or another. As software testers, we are constantly finding bugs and checking for errors in code, a seemingly endless task. Also, we are gatekeepers of the project, which puts a lot of pressure on us. This can be draining and make it harder to stay focused and efficient. The first step in overcoming brain fog is to identify its source.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 20px">If you&#8217;re a software tester and you&#8217;re struggling with brain fog, there are a few things you can do to try and clear it up.</p></p>



<ul><li>Take regular breaks: It is critical for software testers to take frequent breaks to renew their minds and avoid brain fog. During breaks, they are free to engage in whatever activity they find comforting, such as reading, listening to music, or creating anything really.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Delegate tasks: Software testers can feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do and feel brain fog due to the amount of pressure they are under. So to avoid this, it is crucial to do a proper work delegation and understand when it&#8217;s necessary to let go of some work and let someone else do it.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Say &#8220;No&#8221;: As a software tester, it&#8217;s important to be a team player and be able to say &#8216;no.&#8217; You should be able to say &#8216;no&#8217; whenever you are overwhelmed by too much work. Please don&#8217;t wait for the threshold and burst on. Always keep an eye on how you feel and start saying no to any tasks that are not essential and adding to your workload.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Get adequate sleep: The vast majority of testers work long hours, which might lead to exhaustion. To avoid this, it is crucial to keep a regular sleeping pattern to ensure that your mind and body receive adequate rest. Every day, strive to get 8 hours of good sleep.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Organize the work and workstation: Staying organized helps you to keep track of tasks and deadlines and make sure that your work is progressing in the right direction. This will help to reduce confusion and make it easier for the tester to focus on the tasks at hand. Organizing doesn&#8217;t mean that you are supposed to complete all the tasks. It’s about prioritizing, deprioritizing, decluttering etc. This will give you clarity on what needs to be done when. Also, please keep your work environment neat and tidy. Organizing your workspace will help you to be more productive, and it will also help you to feel more relaxed and calm.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Exercise regularly: Exercise not only keeps software testers physically healthy, but it also helps them clear their thoughts and focus more effectively. Regular physical activity also aids in the release of happy hormones, which can assist in boosting mood and maintaining the brain health. Start simple. Begin with walking for 30 minutes a day and gradually increase the amount of time and intensity.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Eat a balanced diet: One of the biggest causes of fatigue and brain fog is a poor diet. A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is vital for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. <a href="https://carnivorestyle.com/carnivore-diet/meal-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plan your meal</a> in advance to ensure that you have a healthy, balanced meal.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Drink Plenty of Water: Dehydration can cause fatigue and disorientation, so drinking lots of water throughout the day can assist in keeping the mind clear and operating at peak performance.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Practice positive thinking: Positive thinking is a powerful technique that may help to reduce worries and anxiety. Every day, software testers should practice positive thinking by visualizing their goals, staying present, and thinking about the positives/good results.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Meditate: Meditation can assist the mind in being in the present moment, boosting attention and decreasing brain fog. The discipline of being attentive and present in the moment, focusing on the current experience, and letting thoughts and emotions pass without getting caught up in them, is known as mindful meditation. By clearing the thoughts of distractions and focusing on what is happening in the now, mindful meditation can help software testers stay focused and enthusiastic.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Make a routine and stick to it: Developing a routine and sticking to it until it becomes a habit will help ensure that your body and mind get the rest and relaxation they require.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Change up the Task: Doing the same task for an extended period of time can lead to boredom and exhaustion, therefore, switching tasks can assist in maintaining attention and prevent brain fog.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Make Time for Fun: Taking time to unwind and enjoy activities outside of work can assist in decreasing stress, improve mental clarity, and rejuvenate the mind.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li>Spending time outside in nature: Getting out in nature for a few minutes might assist to clear the mind and make it easier to focus on the subject at hand.</li></ul>



<p><p style="padding-top: 20px">If you&#8217;re still struggling, there are some cognitive-enhancing supplements that you can try. Of course, you need to consult the medical practitioner before that. And finally, if all else fails, you can always take a long break from work and come back to it when you&#8217;re feeling more clear-headed.</p></p>



<h2 id="h-conclusion-putting-it-all-together"><span id="Conclusion_Putting_it_all_Together"><strong>Conclusion: Putting it all Together</strong></span></h2>



<p>Brain fog can be an obstacle in the software testing profession. However, with the proper knowledge and strategies, it can be managed and even eliminated. We, as software testers, should be more open-minded and enthusiastic so that our brains can help in delivering the best quality products.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Finally, it is important to remember that brain fog affects everyone. It is natural to experience difficulty in focusing at times. By taking regular breaks, staying organized and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, software testers can overcome the effects of brain fog and continue to shine brighter.&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 20px">You might want to read some more blogs by Pricilla Bilavendran:</p></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-test-engineer-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Is there a way for software test engineers to manage stress in this culture of hustle?</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/a-testers-gambit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Tester’s Gambit</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-to-be-an-open-minded-tester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How To Be An Open-Minded Tester?</a></p>


How Software Testers can overcome Brain Fog and Shine Brighter

A Guide to Handling a WebTable in Selenium


<p>You are working on software. But how do you ensure your users will be able to use it? User acceptance testing may hold the answer for you. This blog post will cover everything from the basics of UAT to the User Acceptance Testing Checklist, and, most importantly, we will share some tips and tricks with you.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#User_Acceptance_Testing_UAT_Checklist"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Checklist</a><ul><li><a href="#Initiating_the_UAT_project"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> Initiating the UAT project</a></li><li><a href="#Planning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.2</span> Planning </a></li><li><a href="#Design"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.3</span> Design</a></li><li><a href="#Execution"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.4</span> Execution</a></li><li><a href="#Release_Decisions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.5</span> Release Decisions</a></li><li><a href="#Post-User_Acceptance_Testing_Actions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.6</span> Post-User Acceptance Testing Actions</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#User_Acceptance_Testing_Checklist_Example"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> User Acceptance Testing Checklist Example</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_having_a_UAT_Checklist"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Benefits of having a UAT Checklist</a></li><li><a href="#Automate_your_Acceptance_Tests"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Automate your Acceptance Tests</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Summary</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-user-acceptance-testing-uat-checklist"><span id="User_Acceptance_Testing_UAT_Checklist"><strong>User Acceptance Testing (UAT)</strong> <strong><strong>Checklist</strong></strong></span></h2>



<p>Here is a checklist for User Acceptance Testing that includes some of the essential elements to consider while conducting UAT:</p>



<h3 id="initiating-the-uat-project"><span id="Initiating_the_UAT_project">Initiating the UAT project</span></h3>



<p>Initiating the<a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/uat-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> User Acceptance Testing</a> (UAT) project is a big deal.</p>



<p>First, involve all the essential peeps like developers, testers, project managers, and end users. Your test cases need to be super thorough and cover all possible scenarios.</p>



<p>Once your test cases are ready, review them by stakeholders to ensure they&#8217;re accurate and complete.</p>



<h3 id="h-planning"><span id="Planning">Planning </span></h3>



<p>Make a UAT plan with clear goals and tasks, like setting up the test environment, creating test cases, and deciding on a timeline. This plan will help guide the whole testing process.</p>



<h3 id="h-design"><span id="Design">Design</span></h3>



<p>Next, you must create test cases based on user stories or use cases from the requirements document.</p>



<h3 id="h-execution"><span id="Execution">Execution</span></h3>



<p>The UAT Execution process involves testing the system or application by actual users to determine whether it meets their requirements and expectations. We analyze and evaluate the results and make necessary changes before the final release.</p>



<p>The UAT Execution process is essential in ensuring the product is user-friendly, meets the requirements, and satisfies the client&#8217;s needs.</p>



<h3 id="h-release-decisions"><span id="Release_Decisions">Release Decisions</span></h3>



<p>Before releasing the software, the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) process must be completed. The team will examine the UAT results and make release decisions to ensure the software meets end-user requirements. They should evaluate feedback, identify issues or flaws, and remedy them before launching the software.</p>



<p>The successful completion of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) can indicate the software&#8217;s readiness for launch; however, it is essential to consider other elements, such as technical and financial viability. Making decisions based on data is imperative to guarantee that the software meets end-users&#8217; demands and achieves success within the market.</p>



<h3 id="h-post-user-acceptance-testing-actions"><span id="Post-User_Acceptance_Testing_Actions">Post-User Acceptance Testing Actions</span></h3>



<p>Post-User Acceptance Testing Actions refer to the steps taken after successfully testing a software application. These actions involve analyzing the testing results, identifying any issues or bugs found, and fixing them before the final implementation of the software. Post-testing involves collecting and incorporating user feedback into the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uxui-how-improve-user-experience-software-development-rodriguez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software design to improve user experience</a>.</p>



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<p class="title">Automate your tests for Web, Mobile, Desktop and APIs on Cloud with Testsigma. No setup required.</p>
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<h2 id="user-acceptance-testing-checklist-example"><span id="User_Acceptance_Testing_Checklist_Example"><strong>User Acceptance Testing Checklist Example</strong></span></h2>



<p>For the User Acceptance Testing checklist example, let’s look at a <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-scenario/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test scenario</a> of an e-commerce website. The objective is to ensure that the new features of the website work expectedly and meet user requirements. The test environment is staging.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Test ID</strong></td><td><strong>Test Scenario</strong></td><td><strong>Test Steps</strong></td><td><strong>Expected Resuts</strong></td><td><strong>Actual Results</strong></td><td><strong>Pass/Fail</strong></td><td><strong>Comments</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>User registration</td><td>1. Navigate to the registration page.<br>2. Fill out the registration form.<br>3. Submit the form.</td><td>New user should be registered and redirected to the homepage</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>User login</td><td>1. Navigate to the login page.<br>2. Enter valid credentials.<br>3. Click the login button.</td><td>User should be logged in and taken to the dashboard.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Add to cart</td><td>1. Search for a product.<br>2. Select the product.<br>3. Click on &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221;.</td><td>Product(s) should be added to the shopping cart.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Order history</td><td>1. Navigate to the user account page.<br>2. Click on &#8220;Order History”.</td><td>User should see a list of past orders.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Checkout process</td><td>1. Go to the shopping cart.<br>2. Click on &#8220;Proceed to Checkout&#8221;.<br>3. Fill out shipping and payment details.<br>4. Submit the order.</td><td>Order should be placed successfully, and confirmation email sent.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Filter products by category</td><td>1. Navigate to the category page.<br>2. Apply a category filter.</td><td>Products should be filtered according to the selected category.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/user-acceptance-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best User Acceptance Testing Tools  </a></p>



<h2 id="benefits-of-having-a-uat-checklist"><span id="Benefits_of_having_a_UAT_Checklist"><strong>Benefits of having a UAT Checklist</strong></span></h2>



<p>Now, you have a checklist handy. All you have to do is put this checklist to good use. Below are the benefits you reap when using a checklist like this to the dot:</p>



<ul><li>Consistency and efficiency come when you run tests in a sequence without missing any step.</li><li>Checklists allow testers to track which test cases have been executed, their outcomes, and any issues encountered.</li><li>You can record and refer to the results along with the comments to stay on top of any changes that might happen in the text scenario.</li><li>A checklist provides a structured approach to UAT testing.</li><li>It promotes communication and collaboration among team members.</li></ul>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/uat-test-cases-template/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UAT Test Case Template</a></p>



<h2 id="h-automate-your-acceptance-tests"><span id="Automate_your_Acceptance_Tests"><strong>Automate your Acceptance Tests</strong></span></h2>



<p>Once the needed changes are incorporated into the product, the next step is to automate the <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/acceptance-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acceptance tests</a>. For automating these tests, you need to choose the tool that would be right for you and would let you grow your<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> test automation</a> suite further. </p>



<p>Testsigma is a tool for automating acceptance tests and allows you to scale your test automation efforts when needed. Some features that make it ideal for the automation of acceptance tests are:</p>



<p> i. It&#8217;s a no-code test automation tool; thus, writing your tests is like writing them in simple English. You don&#8217;t need to be an expert in coding here. </p>



<p>ii. You begin your test automation in minutes. </p>



<p>iii. Testsigma lets you automate your tests for web, mobile, desktop, and APIs from the same place. </p>



<p>iv. The test cases are very easy to edit too. Testsigma is also available as open source and free. </p>



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<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary"><strong>Summary</strong></span></h2>



<p>Ultimately, UAT is an essential step that ensures the product offered to the end-users is high quality, meets their expectations, and is accepted as a valuable addition to their work or lifestyle. A User Acceptance Testing checklist outlines all the steps and procedures to complete the UAT process successfully.</p>



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User Acceptance Testing Checklist- 6 Essential Elements To Consider

User Acceptance Testing Checklist – 6 Factors to Consider


<p>Test automation distinguishes itself by making a difference via reducing expenses, boosting productivity, and lowering error rates. No development team, I&#8217;m sure, will reject the efficiency that a solid automation suite can establish during a typical development process. The most significant of these traits is that test automation is a collaborative and time-consuming effort. Silo tests frequently fail to produce the desired outcomes, especially when many teams are working together to create impact.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In order to keep the machine running smoothly, collaboration is essential oil. This article focuses on the six crucial principles, software test automation teams should talk about before beginning to automate the tests &nbsp;Creating consensus and outlining common rules aids teams in creating and maintaining cleaner and efficient code.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-37.png" alt="6 test automation principles" class="wp-image-27469" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#1_System_statenbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> 1. System state&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#2_Authenticationnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> 2. Authentication&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#3_Authorisationnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> 3. Authorisation&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#4_Test_data_bed"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> 4. Test data bed</a></li><li><a href="#5_Test_Layeringnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> 5. Test Layering&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#6_Frequency_of_test_executionnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> 6. Frequency of test execution&nbsp;</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-1-system-state"><span id="1_System_statenbsp"><strong>1. System state&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>While building the test automation suite, one important principle is “system state”. System state makes the foundational aspect and has direct influence on the success or failure of test suite. Considering the application design into the account teams have to consider the state in which the application presents better. Not to forget the costs involved in maintaining the environment. Test environments are set up in various ways&nbsp;</p>



<p>i.  <strong><em>Long Living test environment </em></strong>&#8211; These are the test environments, once set up will continue to run except few maintenance shutdowns. Usually, enterprise applications are backed with such test environments due to the complexity of the business functions and speghetti system configuration. Most often we also see legacy applications running on long living test environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>ii.  <strong><em>Hybrid test environments </em></strong>&#8211; These are the test environments where part of the system configuration is up and running all the time, whereas some part can be triggered on-demand. These type of test environments are the most complex to work with due to the partial existence, not many teams prefer the system set up this way.&nbsp;</p>



<p>iii.  <strong><em>On-demand Test environments</em></strong>&#8211; These are the test environments which can be set up anytime and dismantled after the use. Most often cloud applications harness this advantage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In each of these test environment the behavior of test data, authroization, authentication and external integrations vary at various levels. Test teams have to&nbsp; take into application architecture into account before designing the E2E tests. While long living test environments are blessed with an advantage of maintaining and managing the system status, the On-demand environments have advantage of prestine test environment avoiding any stale test data.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-39.png" alt="test environments" class="wp-image-27473" width="600" height="400"/><figcaption><strong>On-demand Test environments</strong></figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 id="2-authentication"><span id="2_Authenticationnbsp"><strong>2. Authentication&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>The most fundamental test that any automation suite may have is user authentication into an application. However, the majority of applications operate behind cookies. When a user logs into an application, the application is supported by pertinent cookies to function around the user. The high level of personal experience that e-commerce websites want to deliver necessitates that these applications operate behind cookies.&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px">There are 2 ways to distribute these cookies.&nbsp;</p></p>



<p>1. Create the appearance of a typical user action and log in to the application using the user credentials.&nbsp;</p>



<p>2. After starting the program, insert these cookies into the active browser session to acquire access to it before the window loads.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Before creating the test suits, test teams should agree on the execution strategy, especially in multi-scrum/scaled agile teams. Depending on how the system is accessed, various <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing strategies</a> are used. When tests are created to use embedded cookies, extra caution must be taken to check the cookies each time the session reloads; otherwise, the tests will continue to regularly fail.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the test requirements of the team, the test suite is frequently repeated and run in a variety of environments, including development, testing, staging, demo, and production. In these circumstances, the test suit unquestionably requires clarification regarding how authentication will be handled.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-38.png" alt="Authentication " class="wp-image-27471" width="600" height="400"/><figcaption><strong>Authentication&nbsp;</strong></figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 id="3-authorisation"><span id="3_Authorisationnbsp"><strong>3. Authorisation&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>One of the key concepts in any B2B or B2C application is access management. Authorization for user layers is a widely used notion in business solutions. Before developing the test automation suit, this is one of the most vital aspects that needs to be addressed. Concepts related to identity and access management should be handled as early in the phase as possible given they directly affect the test design.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Below are a few open questions to consider&nbsp;</p>



<p>Should you create several users with various levels of access? or alter the authorisations on the fly while running the test?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Should you create a new user each time the test is triggered? or can we have long living user credentials?&nbsp;</p>



<p>How do you prefer to compare modifications made by users with varying levels of authorisation?&nbsp;</p>



<p>What levels must be included in the process of test automation? Should we conduct vertical testing or handle each tier separately? What user combinations can never be generated?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Test data dependancy for user levels&nbsp;</p>



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<h2 id="4-test-data-bed"><span id="4_Test_data_bed"><strong>4. Test data bed</strong></span></h2>



<p>Preparing the test bed before the test execution is very important. Most tests should be supported with relevant Test data for successful execution. Theoretically most data should be flexible and should be achieved through parameterization. However, in real world execution not all tests can be run on flexible protocol due to various parameters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A shared understanding of the constants used for the test execution should be established. Test framework should also be supported with separate file with collection of hard data. Application URL, User credentials, search terms, forms etc are classic examples where we see hard data being seeded.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="5-test-layering"><span id="5_Test_Layeringnbsp"><strong>5. Test Layering&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>Load a Frontend, perform an action wait for the operation to take place triggering changed UI state. Applying assertion on the changed UI state is what by and large is defined as test automation. Personally, I believe this is not how tests should be automated. By restricting the checks only to the old v/s new UI state you are barely scratching the surface of the test goal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Establish a clear test design guideline for all CRUD operations performed and layers that needs to be verified to call it a successful tests. For example: When a user is prompted to fill the form and on click of save button the form details will be saved in backend DB. The tests should include the verification of the calls made to the backend, type of data transferred, checking the headers for security, verifying the response call, verifying the response schema and finally validating the data rendering on the UI makes a complete test flow for respective feature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let us not forget, achieving such test design needs good hold technically. Most often test teams lose their track over a period of time when new team members join and automation is handed over with less care.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-40.png" alt="Test Layering " class="wp-image-27475" width="600" height="400"/><figcaption><strong>Performance Checks</strong></figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 id="6-frequency-of-test-execution"><span id="6_Frequency_of_test_executionnbsp"><strong>6. Frequency of test execution&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>A team of active developers generate more PRs in a day compared to conservative development team. The main goal behind <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automating tests</a> is to free up test engineers time for more critical tasks and also to achieve flexibility in executing the tests wherever required without having to worry about environments where the tests are triggered.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A team with higher PR traffic cannot afford to wait until all tests get executed to receive the early feedback. As this becomes the bottleneck in the <a href="https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/devops/what-cicd-pipeline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CI pipeline</a> as agents get busy building the code for a long. Thus, as a team, the last principle of software test automation is to decide on the type and frequency of tests to be performed during the code build, during the nightly executions etc.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-41.png" alt="Frequency of test execution" class="wp-image-27477" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



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<p>Read more articles written by Sowmya Sridharamurthy:</p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-unpleasant-phenomenon-in-agile-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unpleasant Phenomenon In Agile Testing</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/api-testing-basics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing basics for beginners</a></p>
