
<p>In the world of software testing, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of applications is paramount. However, to save time and effort &#8211; testing needs to be efficient too. This is where testing techniques come into play. In this article, we will delve into the step-by-step process of how to implement and automate equivalence partitioning for efficient and effective testing.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Understanding_Equivalence_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Understanding Equivalence Partitioning</a></li><li><a href="#Step-by-Step_Process_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Step-by-Step Process of Equivalence Partitioning:</a></li><li><a href="#Can_this_Technique_be_Implemented_During_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Can this Technique be Implemented During Test Automation?</a></li><li><a href="#Examples_of_Equivalence_Partitioning_Technique"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Examples of Equivalence Partitioning Technique</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Equivalence_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Why Equivalence Partitioning?</a></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Advantages of Equivalence Partitioning:</a></li><li><a href="#Disadvantages_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Disadvantages of Equivalence Partitioning:</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Summary </a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Is_Equivalence_Partitioning_a_black_box_test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> Is Equivalence Partitioning a black box test?</a></li><li><a href="#How_many_test_cases_for_equivalence_partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.2</span> How many test cases for equivalence partitioning?</a></li><li><a href="#Who_uses_equivalence_partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.3</span> Who uses equivalence partitioning?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-understanding-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Understanding_Equivalence_Partitioning"><strong>Understanding Equivalence Partitioning</strong></span></h2>



<p>Equivalence partitioning is a <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/black-box-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black-box testing</a> technique that allows testers to group input data into sets or classes, making it possible to reduce the number of test cases while still achieving comprehensive coverage. This technique is particularly useful when dealing with a large range of input values. Let&#8217;s walk through an example to understand the concept and process of Equivalence Partitioning.</p>



<p><strong>Testing a Login Form</strong></p>



<p>Suppose we have a login form with a username field. To apply Equivalence Partitioning, we can divide the possible input values into equivalence classes based on their expected behavior.</p>



<p><strong>Equivalence Classes:</strong></p>



<p>1. Valid Usernames: Alphanumeric usernames with a length of 5 to 15 characters.</p>



<p>2. Invalid Usernames: Usernames containing special characters or exceeding the length limit.</p>



<p>3. Empty Usernames: Leaving the username field empty.</p>



<h2 id="h-step-by-step-process-of-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Step-by-Step_Process_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><strong>Step-by-Step Process of Equivalence Partitioning:</strong></span></h2>



<p>1<strong>. Identify the input field</strong>: Determine the input field to be tested, such as the username field in our example.</p>



<p>2. <strong>Define equivalence classes</strong>: Categorize the possible input values into distinct equivalence classes. Each class represents a set of inputs with similar behavior or characteristics.</p>



<p>3. <strong>Determine representative values</strong>: Select representative values from each equivalence class. These values should cover the boundary conditions and critical scenarios within each class.</p>



<p>4. <strong>Create test cases</strong>: Generate <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test cases</a> that cover each equivalence class. For example, one test case would include a valid username, another would include an invalid username, and a third test case would cover an empty username.</p>



<p>5.<strong> Execute the test cases</strong>: Run the test cases using the defined equivalence classes to validate the behavior of the system. Observe and record the results for each test case.</p>



<p>By following this step-by-step process, testers can effectively apply Equivalence Partitioning to streamline test case design and achieve comprehensive test coverage while minimizing redundancy.</p>



<h2 id="h-can-this-technique-be-implemented-during-test-automation"><span id="Can_this_Technique_be_Implemented_During_Test_Automation"><strong>Can this Technique be Implemented During Test Automation?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Equivalence partitioning is indeed a technique that can be seamlessly implemented during test automation. By leveraging automated tools and frameworks, we can effectively streamline the process of generating test cases based on the identified equivalence classes.<br><br>For example, let&#8217;s consider a scenario where we are testing a login form with an email field. Through equivalence partitioning, we can divide the possible input values into equivalence classes such as valid email addresses, invalid email formats, and empty fields. With the help of automated test generation tools, we can quickly generate test cases that cover each equivalence class, ensuring comprehensive <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test coverage</a> while saving time and effort.</p>



<h2 id="h-examples-of-equivalence-partitioning-technique"><span id="Examples_of_Equivalence_Partitioning_Technique"><strong>Examples of Equivalence Partitioning Technique</strong></span></h2>



<p id="examples-of-equivalence-partitioning-techniqueto-further-illustrate-the-practical-application-of-the-equivalence-partitioning-technique-let-s-explore-a-couple-of-examples-and-delve-into-how-they-can-be-implemented-using-testsigma-a-powerful-testing-tool-by-leveraging-testsigma-s-intuitive-interface-and-automation-capabilities-testers-can-effectively-implement-equivalence-partitioning-in-their-testing-workflows">To further illustrate the practical application of the equivalence partitioning technique, let&#8217;s explore a couple of examples and delve into how they can be implemented using Testsigma, a powerful testing tool. By leveraging Testsigma&#8217;s intuitive interface and automation capabilities, testers can effectively implement Equivalence Partitioning in their testing workflows. </p>



<p><strong>I. Example &#8211; Testing User Registration Form</strong></p>



<p>In this example, let&#8217;s consider a user registration form that requires input for the age field. The Equivalence Partitioning technique can be applied to divide the possible input values into different equivalence classes.</p>



<p>Equivalence Classes:</p>



<p><strong>Valid Age:</strong> 18-60 (inclusive)</p>



<p><strong>Invalid Age:</strong> Below 18 and above 60</p>



<p><strong>Empty Age Field</strong><strong><br></strong></p>



<p><strong>Implementation with Testsigma:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Using TestSigma&#8217;s intuitive interface, create a new test case for the user registration form.</li><li>Add a test step to enter a valid age within the range of 18-60. This step represents the Valid Age equivalence class.</li><li>Add another test step to enter an invalid age below 18 or above 60. This step represents the Invalid Age equivalence class.</li><li>Include a test step to leave the age field empty. This step represents the Empty Age Field equivalence class.</li><li>Run the test case in TestSigma&#8217;s automation environment, which will execute the test steps based on the equivalence classes defined.</li><li>TestSigma will generate comprehensive test reports, highlighting the results for each equivalence class, allowing you to identify any issues or defects</li></ol>



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<p><strong>II. Example: Testing Credit Card Validation</strong></p>



<p>Consider a scenario where a credit card validation functionality is being tested. Equivalence Partitioning can be applied to the credit card number input field.</p>



<p><strong>Equivalence Classes:</strong></p>



<p><strong>Valid Credit Card Numbers</strong></p>



<p><strong>Invalid Credit Card Numbers (e.g., incorrect length, invalid checksum)</strong></p>



<p><strong>Empty Credit Card Field</strong></p>



<p><strong>Implementation with Testsigma:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Create a new test case in Testsigma for the credit card validation functionality.</li><li>Include a test step to enter a valid credit card number. This step represents the Valid Credit Card Numbers equivalence class.</li><li>Add a test step to enter an invalid credit card number, such as a number with an incorrect length or an invalid checksum. This step represents the Invalid Credit Card Numbers equivalence class.</li><li>Include a test step to leave the credit card field empty. This step represents the Empty Credit Card Field equivalence class.</li><li>Execute the test case using Testsigma&#8217;s automation capabilities.</li><li>Testsigma will automatically validate the credit card numbers based on the defined equivalence classes and provide detailed test reports.</li></ol>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/boundary-value-analysis-and-equivalence-class-partitioning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boundary Value Analysis vs Equivalence Partitioning</a></p>



<h2 id="why-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Why_Equivalence_Partitioning"><strong>Why Equivalence Partitioning?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Equivalence Partitioning enhances test coverage, saves time and effort, promotes error detection, enables test case reusability, improves maintainability, and ensures comprehensive testing. Let&#8217;s explore these benefits in more detail below and see why you should choose Equivalence Partitioning. </p>



<p><strong>Enhanced Test Coverage:</strong> Equivalence partitioning allows us to cover a wide range of input values with a minimal number of test cases, ensuring thorough testing without exhaustive combinations.</p>



<p><strong>Time and Effort Efficiency: </strong>By reducing the number of test cases, equivalence partitioning helps save time and effort during the testing process, making it more efficient and cost-effective, which can be crucial when you are, for instance, testing the HTML/CSS of <a href="https://mailtrap.io/blog/mass-email-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass emails</a> for your marketing campaigns.</p>



<p><strong>Error Detection: </strong>Equivalence Partitioning aids in uncovering defects by focusing on critical and boundary values within each equivalence class, increasing the likelihood of identifying potential issues.</p>



<p><strong>Test Case Reusability:</strong> Equivalence Partitioning promotes test case reusability, as the defined equivalence classes can be used to generate additional test cases for future testing cycles, reducing duplication efforts.</p>



<p><strong>Improved Maintainability: </strong>With Equivalence Partitioning, maintaining test cases becomes easier, as changes to the underlying equivalence classes can be reflected across multiple test cases, ensuring consistency and reducing maintenance efforts.</p>



<p>For you to better understand Equivalence Partitioning, here are a few Pro’s and Con’s &#8211;<br></p>



<h2 id="advantages-of-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Advantages_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><strong>Advantages of Equivalence Partitioning:</strong></span></h2>



<ol><li><strong>Enhanced Test Coverage:</strong> Equivalence partitioning allows testers to cover a wide range of input values by selecting representative test cases from each equivalence class, ensuring comprehensive coverage while minimizing redundant testing.</li><br><li><strong>Efficiency in Test Case Design:</strong> By dividing input values into equivalence classes, test case design becomes more structured and systematic. It helps testers identify critical and boundary values for each class, enabling focused testing on potential areas of failure.</li><br><li><strong>Time and Effort Savings:</strong> Equivalence partitioning helps optimize testing efforts by reducing the number of test cases needed while still maintaining sufficient coverage. This leads to time and effort savings, making the testing process more efficient.</li><br><li><strong>Defect Detection:</strong> Equivalence partitioning increases the likelihood of detecting defects by targeting specific equivalence classes and their boundaries. By testing representative values from each class, testers can identify potential issues or failures.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-disadvantages-of-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Disadvantages_of_Equivalence_Partitioning"><strong>Disadvantages of Equivalence Partitioning:</strong></span></h2>



<ol><li><strong>Limited to Input Values:</strong> Equivalence Partitioning primarily focuses on input values and their equivalence classes. It may not address other factors, such as system behavior or interaction between components, which can also contribute to defects.</li><br><li><strong>Complex Scenarios:</strong> In complex scenarios with multiple inputs or dependencies, defining accurate and comprehensive equivalence classes can be challenging. It requires careful analysis and consideration of various factors, potentially increasing the complexity of the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/principles-of-software-testing-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing process</a>.</li><br><li><strong>Requirement for Domain Knowledge:</strong> Equivalence Partitioning relies on domain knowledge and understanding of the system under test. Testers need to have a clear understanding of the input values and their classifications to accurately identify and define equivalence classes.</li><br><li><strong>Potential for Overlooking Defects:</strong> While Equivalence Partitioning improves test coverage, it does not guarantee the detection of all defects. There is a possibility of overlooking specific scenarios or edge cases that fall outside the defined equivalence classes.</li></ol>



<p><br>By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of Equivalence Partitioning, testers can make informed decisions about when and how to effectively apply this technique in their testing approach.</p>



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



<p>Equivalence Partitioning is a powerful testing technique that enables comprehensive test coverage while reducing the number of test cases. This article provides a step-by-step process for implementing Equivalence Partitioning, along with real-world examples and references. With Testsigma, testers can seamlessly integrate Equivalence Partitioning into their test automation workflows, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-is-equivalence-partitioning-a-black-box-test"><span id="Is_Equivalence_Partitioning_a_black_box_test">Is Equivalence Partitioning a black box test?</span></h3>



<p>Yes, Equivalence Partitioning is a black-box testing technique. It focuses on testing the functionality of the software from an external perspective, without considering the internal structure or implementation details. Testers identify and categorize input values into equivalence classes based on their expected behavior, without knowledge of the internal workings of the system. This allows for comprehensive testing while maintaining independence from the internal code.</p>



<h3 id="how-many-test-cases-for-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="How_many_test_cases_for_equivalence_partitioning">How many test cases for equivalence partitioning?</span></h3>



<p>The number of test cases for equivalence partitioning depends on the number of identified equivalence classes. In general, for each equivalence class, at least one test case is needed to represent that class. So, the total number of test cases would be equal to the number of identified equivalence classes. However, it&#8217;s important to note that additional test cases might be required to cover specific boundary or edge cases within each equivalence class. Therefore, the exact number of test cases may vary based on the complexity of the system and the identified equivalence classes.</p>



<h3 id="who-uses-equivalence-partitioning"><span id="Who_uses_equivalence_partitioning">Who uses equivalence partitioning?</span></h3>



<p>Equivalence partitioning is utilized by various stakeholders in software testing, including manual testers, test automation engineers, QA analysts and managers, developers, and non-technical product team members. By categorizing input values into equivalence classes, it enhances the effectiveness and accuracy of testing efforts, leading to higher-quality software products.</p>


Equivalence Partitioning Step-by-Step Process for Efficient Test

Equivalence Partitioning: Step-by-Step Process for Efficient Test

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What is Canary Testing? A Comprehensive Overview

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<p>Reviewing your work is critical in the software development life cycle (SDLC). It reduces the instances of human errors and allows for better-quality code. Similarly, peer review in important, that involves peers checking each other’s work. But why is it essential, and how much software quality does it improve? Let’s see.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Peer_Review_in_Software_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Peer Review in Software Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Do_We_Need_Peer_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Why Do We Need Peer Review?</a></li><li><a href="#What_Should_We_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> What Should We Review?</a></li><li><a href="#Types_of_Peer_Reviews"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Types of Peer Reviews</a><ul><li><a href="#Formal"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Formal</a></li><li><a href="#Informal"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.2</span> Informal</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Peer_Review_Process"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Peer Review Process</a></li><li><a href="#Peer_Review_8211_Static_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Peer Review &#8211; Static Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Peer_Review_Characteristics"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Peer Review Characteristics</a></li><li><a href="#Key_Takeaway"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Key Takeaway</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_3_kinds_of_peer_review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> What are the 3 kinds of peer review?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_a_peer_review_example"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.2</span> What is a peer review example?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_5_key_elements_of_peer_review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.3</span> What are the 5 key elements of peer review?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-peer-review-in-software-testing"><span id="What_is_Peer_Review_in_Software_Testing">What is Peer Review in Software Testing?</span></h2>



<p>Peer review in software testing can be described in 2 ways:</p>



<p> 1. A practice of checking or reviewing the code of your fellow developer.</p>



<p> 2. It can also mean checking the test cases and scripts created by your fellow testers to provide feedback and reduce testing issues.</p>



<p>Peer reviews involve viewing and testing the functioning some code or test cases to ensure that they meets the essential requirements criteria. The aim of peer review is to highlight any possible issues the piece being reviewed, suggest improvements, and check if their compliance with standards. Peer reviews help in getting a different perspective on one’s work and receiving suggestions on making the work not only better but also easier to follow. Peer review can be considered a static testing technique.</p>



<p>There are automated tools too that support the review of <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated tests </a>like <a href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma,</a> that is built with review workflows, enabling testers to review each other’s work. Not only that, it has multiple other features that would enable you to achieve a test automation ROI, sooner and better. Check more about Testsigma here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com</a></p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Get a test automation tool that enables peer reviews too; get Testsigma</a></button></p>



<br><h2 id="h-why-do-we-need-peer-review"><span id="Why_Do_We_Need_Peer_Review">Why Do We Need Peer Review?</span></h2>



<p>There are many reasons why you need to adopt peer review practice in your SDLC process. And it’s more than just improving the code quality.</p>



<ul><li>The inquisitive approach of your fellow developers and testers is sure to find minute issues that might miss your eyes.</li><li>It improves communication and accessibility within the team, as everyone knows who is working on what. This kind of understanding will increase the give-and-take of information among the team members.</li><li>Peer review facilitates learning among peers and builds an environment of healthy competition.</li><li>This process helps save costs in outsourcing the reviewing task to external resources or buying tools for the exact purpose.</li><li>Peer review practice is important as it also helps developers and testers meet their deadlines by taking help from their fellow team mates to solve any blockers faced.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-what-should-we-review"><span id="What_Should_We_Review">What Should We Review?</span></h2>



<p>There is no point in promoting peer review when you don’t know what things you should review in the first place. There is a plethora of documentation to prove that soliciting feedback results in improving the quality of the product and reducing rework. We have a list of all the necessary documents and tasks you should include in your peer review process:</p>



<ul><li>Product definition and marketing planning document to properly analyze the product’s purpose and delivery needs</li><li>User requirements/specifications documents containing all the information end-users want in the application</li><li>System design documents that consist of system architecture and UI/UX plan</li><li>Programming code reviewing involves checking the backend code and looking for defects, improvements, and flow</li><li>Test plans and test cases documents consist of the test scenario, steps, and more</li></ul>



<p></p>



<h2 id="h-types-of-peer-reviews"><span id="Types_of_Peer_Reviews">Types of Peer Reviews</span></h2>



<p>Peer review in software testing can be classified into two types: formal and informal. They differ in how they are conducted within the organization.</p>



<h3 id="h-formal"><span id="Formal">Formal</span></h3>



<p>A formal peer review is one which is led by a trained moderator and follows a particular structure. It consists of a series of tasks, including requirements walkthroughs, technical reviews, inspections, and a well-detailed report at the end.</p>



<h3 id="h-informal"><span id="Informal">Informal</span></h3>



<p>Informal peer review is the exact opposite of formal. No moderator leads the process, and it is usually a personal favor that your colleagues ask of you. It follows no structure, and there are no recorded minutes of meetings for reviewers to access.</p>



<h2 id="h-peer-review-process"><span id="Peer_Review_Process">Peer Review Process</span></h2>



<p>Follow these different ways to implement a peer review process in your company:</p>



<p><strong>Informal:</strong> Start with the informal review process that simply consists of asking a fellow developer or tester to check your code or tests for correctness and to suggest improvements.</p>



<p><strong>Walkthrough:</strong> This method consists of a software developer or tester leading peers interested in the review process. They can pose questions while reviewing and come up with their explanation/understanding of the product.</p>



<p><strong>Create a structure:</strong> For a formal review process, creating a structure and having a moderator enforce the structure upon the reviewers is the best way to go.</p>



<p><strong>Review:</strong> Start the review process formally or informally, as mentioned in the above steps.</p>



<p><strong>Verify:</strong> Verification involves an organized way of conducting the evaluation process. It involves applying several testing metrics/techniques to understand the results of the review process and to analyze the validity of the output.</p>



<h2 id="h-peer-review-static-testing"><span id="Peer_Review_8211_Static_Testing">Peer Review &#8211; Static Testing</span></h2>



<p>Peer review is a static black-box testing technique. Static testing refers to analyzing the code and the related documents without the need to execute the program and tasks. So, instead of running the tests and uncovering defects, peer review follows the static testing method, which identifies issues before executing the code.</p>



<p>Here are some examples of what undergoes testing/analysis as a part of the static testing method:</p>



<ul><li>Requirement specification documents</li><li>Design documents</li><li>Webpage content</li><li>Source code</li><li>Test plans, test cases, test scripts, and test data</li><li>User requirement documents</li></ul>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Frame-48095885.png" alt="Testsigma - Peer Review – Static Testing" class="wp-image-30350" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px">In the above image, you can see how the peer review process gradually becomes formal as it moves down across the pyramid. The picture illustrates the different stages of the peer review process that we have discussed in the above section.</p></p>



<p>Read here about <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/peer-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peer Testing</a></p>



<h2 id="h-peer-review-characteristics"><span id="Peer_Review_Characteristics">Peer Review Characteristics</span></h2>



<p>The characteristics of peer review are as below:</p>



<ul><li>It is a documented way of evaluating the code that involves a defect detection process.</li><li>The higher management is not involved in peer review. It consists of peers and a few technical specialists.</li><li>The peer review team is managed by a moderator who is not the original author of the code.</li><li>Reviewers create a final report of the review, which lists and details all the issues that require attention and enhancement in the program.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-key-takeaway"><span id="Key_Takeaway">Key Takeaway</span></h2>



<p>Peer review is a way of checking and validating the code of another developer. It is done to offer advice on making the product better and finding bugs in the code. There are different ways to perform peer review, and the most suitable one is the formal review. We have discussed the types, benefits, and processes of peer review in software testing in the above sections.</p>



<p>Peer review is a fairly easy task that takes less time than sourcing the work to outside parties, but it offers immense advantages to the business. It builds communication among the team members and creates a sense of shared responsibilities among them. And with the right approach and moderator, any peer review will only provide positive results for every code you check.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-3-kinds-of-peer-review"><span id="What_are_the_3_kinds_of_peer_review">What are the 3 kinds of peer review?</span></h3>



<p>The three kinds of peer review in testing are single-anonymized, double-anonymized, and open peer review.</p>



<p>The single-anonymized peer review is where the author does not know the identity of the reviewer. In double-anonymized, both reviewer and author don’t know the identity of each other. In Open peer review, the identity of the author and reviewer are known by everyone in the reviewing team before, during, and after the peer review process.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-a-peer-review-example"><span id="What_is_a_peer_review_example">What is a peer review example?</span></h3>



<p>An example of peer review is deciphering the code of a developer. Suppose your colleague approached you to see their code and check if there is any possibility of making the program easy to understand and ensuring there is a smooth flow of data between the different modules/components of the code. This is a scenario where you are the reviewer, and your colleague is the author. Another example of peer review would be verifying the project specifications and design documents after receiving them from the clients and the stakeholders before moving ahead with the project.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-5-key-elements-of-peer-review"><span id="What_are_the_5_key_elements_of_peer_review">What are the 5 key elements of peer review?</span></h3>



<p>The five key elements of peer reviews are:</p>



<ul><li>Fairness in analyzing the code/documents</li><li>Appropriately selecting the right reviewers with the relevant experience</li><li>Choosing identifiable and publicly acceptable reviewers</li><li>Timely reporting of the review results</li><li>Providing helpful feedback</li></ul>


What is Peer Review in Software Testing?


<p>All software undergoes continuous modifications. Sometimes developers do so to fulfill clients’ requests, and other times it is to upgrade the functionality or security features. But whatever the case, any changes made to the software require continuous monitoring and maintenance. Testing software for how maintainable it is, is called Maintainability testing. </p>



<p>Let’s dive deeper into the subject in this blog. We will also talk about <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated testing </a>with maintainability testing.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Maintainability_Testing_in_Software"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Maintainability Testing in Software?</a></li><li><a href="#Factors_Affecting_the_Maintainability_of_the_Software"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Factors Affecting the Maintainability of the Software</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Measure_the_Maintainability_of_an_Application"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> How to Measure the Maintainability of an Application?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Improve_Your_Software_Maintainability_with_Testsigma"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> How to Improve Your Software Maintainability with Testsigma?</a><ul><li><a href="#Steps_to_conduct_GUI_testing_with_Testsigma"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Steps to conduct GUI testing with Testsigma:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Maintainability_Testing_Best_Practices"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Maintainability Testing Best Practices</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_the_purpose_of_maintainability"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.1</span> What is the purpose of maintainability?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_an_example_of_maintainability_in_software_quality"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.2</span> What is an example of maintainability in software quality?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-maintainability-testing-in-software"><span id="What_is_Maintainability_Testing_in_Software">What is Maintainability Testing in Software?</span></h2>



<p>Maintainability testing is verifying the software’s ability to maintain itself as it goes through several changes. Maintainability refers to a software’s capability to maintain itself under varying situations. It is important as applications go through several changes throughout the SDLC process, which clearly requires proper maintenance along with regular testing. And with maintainability testing, it becomes easier to validate a system’s potential to keep going with frequent features updates and bug fixes, among other things.</p>



<p>Maintainability testing is non-functional testing that defines how easy it is for developers to maintain, analyze, change a system, and run tests on it.</p>



<p>Please note that <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-maintenance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintenance testing</a> and maintainability testing are different. The former focuses on testing an application because of changes introduced in it. The latter checks how well the system can handle and maintain the changes.</p>



<h2 id="h-factors-affecting-the-maintainability-of-the-software"><span id="Factors_Affecting_the_Maintainability_of_the_Software">Factors Affecting the Maintainability of the Software</span></h2>



<p>There are several real-world and software-based factors that influence the maintainability of a system. </p>



<p><strong>For instance, some of the real-world factors are:</strong></p>



<ul><li>How old the software is currently and how many changes it experiences on a weekly/monthly basis?</li><li>If the memory and storage of the application is sufficient to withstand the changes and maintain its functioning accordingly.</li><li>The skill your business possesses to understand maintainability testing.</li><li>How developers built the application? Did they develop with the idea of making the system self-sufficient and maintaining itself during modifications?</li></ul>



<p><strong>The software-based factors are:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Does the structure of the software support maintenance?</li><li>Which programming language is used to develop the software?</li><li>If the software is self-reliable to withstand changes without breaking down.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-measure-the-maintainability-of-an-application"><span id="How_to_Measure_the_Maintainability_of_an_Application">How to Measure the Maintainability of an Application?</span></h2>



<p>Now, we will discuss how to measure them and gauge the maintainability of an application. Two of the most common measurement scales are: how changeable an application is and how stable it is while going through those changes. <a href="https://www.iso.org/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">ISO</a> is a popular standard that is internationally accepted and also provides guidelines for Systems and Software Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE).</p>



<p>There are 5 prominent ISO-defined attributes that support the measurement of an application’s maintainability:</p>



<ul><li><strong>Modularity:</strong> This attribute focuses on the modular components of the system. It checks if the software consists of several independent components coming together. Based on the modularity of the application, a small change can have an impact on the application that might require renovations.</li><li><strong>Reusability:</strong> This attribute looks for pre-existing code snippets you can reuse in the application or another software to replicate its functionality. It reduces the cost of writing new code and improves the quality and overall productivity of the software.</li><li><strong>Analyzability:</strong> It checks how efficiently a software flow, often unintended, can be found and fixed. This attribute identifies defects in the system components that require changing.</li><li><strong>Modifiability:</strong> As per its name, modifiability is the criteria of the system that checks how much a system can be modified without compromising its quality and existing features.</li><li><strong>Testability:</strong> This attribute defines the degree of effectiveness with which test criteria can be developed. It further checks if these tests can meet those criteria.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-improve-your-software-maintainability-with-testsigma"><span id="How_to_Improve_Your_Software_Maintainability_with_Testsigma">How to Improve Your Software Maintainability with Testsigma?</span></h2>



<p>There is no one way or concrete method to follow while implementing maintainability testing. As every software undergoes certain changes throughout SDLC and even after its release, maintainability testing then works on a case-to-case basis. Typically, automation tools greatly support and expedite maintainability, such as <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>. Let’s take an example of running visual testing with Testsigma to understand how the tool supports maintainability testing. You can perform both static and dynamic visual testing using our tool.</p>



<p>Testsigma allows the execution of visual testing for web and mobile applications. Before starting, you only need to tick the ‘Enable Visual testing for this step’ option. The visual testing option is now available for the next successful run, where the online UI elements are compared against a baseline image.</p>



<h3 id="h-steps-to-conduct-gui-testing-with-testsigma"><span id="Steps_to_conduct_GUI_testing_with_Testsigma">Steps to conduct GUI testing with Testsigma:</span></h3>



<ul><li>Create a test case, add it to a test suite, and add the test suite to a Test Plan as per your requirement.</li></ul><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/step-1_377529c5a8877f32e7869dc65a848865_2000.jpg" alt="Create a Test Case" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<br><ul><li>Enable Visual Testing for the test steps that need visual testing.</li></ul><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/enable-visual-testing_db8e8e08798cc94c84f275da70258acb_2000.jpg" alt="Enable Visual Testing" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<br><ul><li>Run your test plan once to save all images as base images. These are the baseline pictures to compare the visual changes.</li><li>Now Run your test plan again. The tool will automatically take screenshots of your application at every test step and make reference images.</li></ul><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/run-the-test-plan-view-the-results_377cd46e65e10a74256e68a4d06ad5a6_2000.jpg" alt="Run the Test Case" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<br><ul><li>Testsigma automatically compares these reference images with the base images in the first run to find differences.</li></ul><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/find-visual-errors_10baecf60cdf72d6e7323219516b3b39_2000.jpg" alt="Compare the Results" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<br><ul><li>Any other changes in the screenshots are automatically ignored to avoid false negatives.</li></ul><br>



<p>Having a baseline image makes it easy to test the visuals and maintain the same quality and look of the application in the future. Such practice improves the maintainability of the application and even allows for reusing the test cases if similar visuals need to be tested later on. <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign up for a demo</a> to see all this in action.</p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
    margin: auto;"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Improve the maintainability of your software with an efficient test automation tool, Testsigma</a></button></p>



<h2 id="h-maintainability-testing-best-practices"><span id="Maintainability_Testing_Best_Practices">Maintainability Testing Best Practices</span></h2>



<p>But before you start maintaining your tests and also implement maintainability testing, here are some of the best practices that work for every type/category:</p>



<ul><li>Ensure to build a list of maintainability factors before you start with the testing, which would include the stability and complexity of the code.</li><li>The software must adhere to appropriate standards for the database, interface, and development processes. One instance of this will be verifying if the application supports optimized algorithms and the ability to reuse the code.</li><li>Your maintainability testing should comply with the five maintainability attributes we mentioned above: Modularity, Reusability, Analyzability, Modifiability, and Testability.</li></ul>



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



<p>Maintainability testing is the software’s ability to maintain itself as it goes through several modifications. It reduces the cost of maintaining the system. There are different categories of maintainability testing that focus on separate areas of the application and check for possible issues.</p>



<p>There are multiple ways to measure maintainability, which we have discussed in the above section.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-purpose-of-maintainability"><span id="What_is_the_purpose_of_maintainability">What is the purpose of maintainability?</span></h3>



<p>The purpose of maintainability is to better the maintenance efforts of the software. The higher the maintainability, the better the ability of the application to handle the changes and maintain itself.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-an-example-of-maintainability-in-software-quality"><span id="What_is_an_example_of_maintainability_in_software_quality">What is an example of maintainability in software quality?</span></h3>



<p>An example of maintainability in <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-quality-assurance-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software quality</a> is code with a clear structure and proper commenting that makes it easier for developers to debug and analyze the program if new lines are added to it.</p>


Maintainability Testing What, How to Measure & Best Practices

Maintainability Testing | What, How to Measure & Best Practices

What is Risk Based Testing Top Benefits & Approaches

What is Risk Based Testing? Top Benefits & Approaches


<p>As a software project ends, every tester must check the effectiveness of the testing process to gain insights into the areas of improvement. So, QAs create a Test Closure Report. It includes all the test data, such as test cases, test plans, test suites, and other testing-related information for future reference. With this report, the test insights are recovered, making reviewing the testing process easier and identifying improvement areas in future projects. In this blog, we&#8217;ll discuss the importance of a Test Closure report in the testing development life cycle and detailed steps involved in creating a Test Closure report.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Closure"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Test Closure?</a></li><li><a href="#Need_for_Test_Closure"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Need for Test Closure</a><ul><li><a href="#Stages"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.1</span> Stages </a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#What_is_a_Test_Closure_Report"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> What is a Test Closure Report?</a></li><li><a href="#Importance_of_Test_Closure_Report_in_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Importance of Test Closure Report in Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Closure_Activities_When_to_Perform_them_and_Why"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Test Closure Activities: When to Perform them and Why?</a><ul><li><a href="#Checking_for_Completion_of_Tests"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> Checking for Completion of Tests</a></li><li><a href="#Handing_Over_Test_Objects"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Handing Over Test Objects</a></li><li><a href="#Learning_Experience"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> Learning Experience</a></li><li><a href="#Archiving"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.4</span> Archiving</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Test_Closure_Activities"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Benefits of Test Closure Activities</a><ul><li><a href="#Evaluating_Exit_Criteria_and_Reporting"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.1</span> Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#1_What_are_the_contents_of_test_closure_report"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> 1. What are the contents of test closure report?</a></li><li><a href="#2_Who_will_prepare_the_Test_Closure_Report"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> 2. Who will prepare the Test Closure Report?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-test-closure"><span id="What_is_Test_Closure"><strong>What is Test Closure</strong>?</span></h2>



<p>Test Closure is a crucial step in the TDLC that formally concludes and completes testing activities for a software release. It comprehensively summarizes the testing activities and results, including any issues and bugs found and resolved during the testing phase. Test Closure can also be considered as documentation of the testing process, and its purpose is to inform stakeholders about the quality and readiness of the software for release.</p>



<p>A good Test Closure has details such as the testing scope, <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test environment</a>, testing methodologies, test cases, and any issues and defects identified and resolved during testing. In addition to providing an overview of the testing results, the report should also contain a detailed analysis, highlighting any areas of concern and potential improvements.</p>



<h2 id="h-need-for-test-closure"><span id="Need_for_Test_Closure"><strong>Need for Test Closure</strong></span></h2><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/need-for-test-closure_1e8d21cc8da7cb5ade1763a9e90e39db_2000.jpg" alt="Need for Test Closure"/></figure></div>



<br><ul><li><strong>Official Announcement for End of Testing Phase:</strong> Test Closure lets other team members know that testing has concluded and the software is ready for the next phase. This announcement helps team members to prepare for the next phase, such as deployment or release.</li><li><strong>Detailed Analysis:</strong> The Test Closure gives a clear picture of the issues found and resolved during the testing process. It will help the team to analyze the source of errors and resolve them quickly in future.</li><li><strong>Assessment of Risk Factor: </strong>Test Closure assesses the risk factor of the software. This helps clients decide whether or not to go ahead with the release of the software. If the risk factor is too high, the software needs further modification before the release.</li><li><strong>Present Test Metrics To Client:</strong> Test metrics are documented in the Test Closure, along with a detailed description of the testing process. This document provides an overview of the testing efforts and serves as a reference for future projects. Presenting test metrics to clients not only helps them understand the effectiveness of the testing process but also builds their confidence in the software.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-stages"><span id="Stages">Stages </span></h3>



<p>Test closure is an important phase in the software development life cycle, which has six distinct stages, to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the software before we release it to the end users.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Checking planned deliverables: </strong>The first stage is to check the planned deliverables, which includes reviewing the test case documents, test plan, test scripts, test data, traceability matrix, test results, and reports. Here, the team ensures that all the planned deliverables are met and delivered to the stakeholders.</li><li><strong>Closing Incident Reports: </strong>Incidents are any variations or deviations observed during the testing phase. These incidents are logged as a report in the earlier stages and resolved before the process ends.</li><li><strong>Handover to Maintenance: </strong>After resolving incidents, the testware (all the info regarding test plans, test cases, test scripts, and other things needed to design and execute a test) is handed over to the maintenance team. They provide support to the software during its release.</li><li><strong>Archiving Environment: </strong>Here, the software, including test scripts, test environment, and test infrastructure, are finalized and archived for later use.</li><li><strong>Documenting System Acceptance: </strong>System acceptance testing is an important step in software testing since it validates that the system is ready for deployment and satisfies user expectations. By performing system acceptance testing, you can minimize the risks of deploying software lacking the desired criteria/quality. So, documenting this includes every aspect of the developed software and application and its supporting data and information. The customer representatives then accept it before the implementation of the software system.</li><li><strong>Analyzing Best Practices: </strong>The last stage involves exploring best practices. This stage is important as it helps to identify lessons learned from the project for future reference. It also helps to determine the changes required for similar projects in the future.</li></ul><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/need-for-test-closure-2_3dcf3d419dd0aaacad35c382f3676430_2000.jpg" alt="Stages in Test Closure"/></figure></div>



<br><h2 id="h-what-is-a-test-closure-report"><span id="What_is_a_Test_Closure_Report"><strong>What is a Test Closure Report?</strong></span></h2>



<p>A test closure report is a document with a summary of a project&#8217;s entire testing process and its results. The report gives insights into test executions and software performance in the tests. Anyone from the team can use this report to evaluate the quality of the software and make an informed decision on its release.</p>



<p>Once the testing is complete, the testing team prepares the test closure report. The report consists of various metrics collected during the testing process. The test closure report is prepared to include all the necessary information that can support the completion of the test execution cycle. The report must contain screenshots, query results, recordings, and log files that provide a detailed account of the testing process. The test closure report template typically includes the following sections:</p>



<ul><li><strong>Test Summary Report:</strong> A complete document overviews the testing process, activities, and results.</li><li><strong>Identifier: </strong>A unique reference number set to the test closure report for easy tracking.</li><li><strong>Test Summary: </strong>A summary highlighting the key results, accomplishments, and challenges faced during testing.</li><li><strong>Variances: </strong>Any variations during testing activities and their impact on the project.</li><li><strong>Comprehensive Assessment:</strong> A detailed evaluation (strengths/weaknesses) of the quality of the software.</li><li><strong>Summary of Results: </strong>A brief of the test results, along with the test cases executed, passed, failed, and any outstanding issues.</li><li><strong>Evaluation:</strong> A review of the overall efficiency of the testing process.</li><li><strong>Summary of Activities</strong>: A short summary of testing activities completed, such as test planning, test design, and execution.</li><li><strong>Approval:</strong> Confirmation of completion of test closure report and approval by stakeholders, such as PMs, dev teams, and QAs.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-importance-of-test-closure-report-in-test-automation"><span id="Importance_of_Test_Closure_Report_in_Test_Automation"><strong>Importance of Test Closure Report in Test Automation</strong></span></h2>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">The Test Closure Report is an important document in agile software development. We should prioritize this document as it helps find problems and understand the quality and status of the product before it is released, considers diverse opinions, and gives a transparent view of the testing process. This report helps make data-driven decisions and improve future projects. Automation tools like Testsigma have revolutionized the process of preparing test closure reports. These tools enable the QA team to generate <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/reports/export-reports/export-report-pdf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom reports</a> effortlessly with just a click. Testsigma&#8217;s amazing features offer flexibility, accuracy, and rich insights, helping teams to make data-driven decisions. Here’s a quick test closure report example demonstrating how to export your run results, as a test report, in Testsigma.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://d37oebn0w9ir6a.cloudfront.net/account_36412/pdfexprep_192ac05f851c6f04da43d0044fae1be3.gif" alt="Reports in Testsigma App"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px">Testsigma generates an Executive report summarizing the testing process and results so stakeholders can make wise decisions. This report contains a plan report, test case list, test step list, and screenshots which are very helpful for a Test Closure Report. The Plan report shows the changes made and helps to assess the execution of the testing plan. The test case list ensures complete test coverage by analyzing the software&#8217;s functional and non-functional aspects. The Test step list gives a thorough overview of the testing steps. Screenshots provide clear evidence of the issues found and resolved.</p></p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:15px">Not only this, Testsigma comes with many features that help you achieve ROI sooner and better. Know more about Testsigma here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com/</a></p></p>



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<br><h2 id="h-test-closure-activities-when-to-perform-them-and-why"><span id="Test_Closure_Activities_When_to_Perform_them_and_Why"><strong>Test Closure Activities: When to Perform them and Why?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test Closure Activities play a crucial role in concluding the testing phase of the software. Collecting and analyzing results in test reports, ensuring their accuracy, and facilitating their handover contribute to the overall quality of the software. These activities below provide crucial insights into the software&#8217;s performance.</p>



<h3 id="h-checking-for-completion-of-tests"><span id="Checking_for_Completion_of_Tests"><strong>Checking for Completion of Tests</strong></span></h3>



<p>In this activity, the team lead or manager ensures that all test work, including test cases, plans, and strategies, has been completed without any deletions. They also cross-check the documents to address all known bugs or errors appropriately.</p>



<h3 id="h-handing-over-test-objects"><span id="Handing_Over_Test_Objects"><strong>Handing Over Test Objects</strong></span></h3>



<p>After checking the test work, the relevant test objects and documentation are handed over to the individuals or teams needing them in the future. This transfer of information ensures future maintenance, troubleshooting, or further development.</p>



<h3 id="h-learning-experience"><span id="Learning_Experience"><strong>Learning Experience</strong></span></h3>



<p>The learning experience focuses on gathering insights from the testing process. Here, the QA team analyzes their practices, methodologies, tools, and results to identify best practices for future releases and stop poor practices that lead to unfavorable results.</p>



<h3 id="h-archiving"><span id="Archiving"><strong>Archiving</strong></span></h3>



<p>The testing team should organize and store test data, documents, reports, logs, and configurations generated during the testing phase. This ensures the information is appropriately documented, preserved, and accessible for future reference, enabling traceability, compliance, auditing, and troubleshooting.</p>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-reporting-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Reporting Tools</a></p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-test-closure-activities"><span id="Benefits_of_Test_Closure_Activities">Benefits of Test Closure Activities</span></h2>



<ul><li>Test closure activities ensure that planned deliverables are successfully delivered to clients or end users, confirming the completeness and accuracy of the software.</li><li>These activities assess the software&#8217;s compliance with end-user requirements, ensuring a user-friendly product that satisfies their experience.</li><li>Test closure activities resolve bugs and errors, stopping their recurrence and enhancing the reliability of the software.</li><li>By assessing the development and testing process, test closure activities give valuable insights for future projects, enabling continuous improvement.</li><li>Managers can efficiently transfer necessary test cases and data to relevant stakeholders, enabling data-driven decisions.</li><li>Test closure activities evaluate the testing process, allowing the identification of areas for improvement.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-evaluating-exit-criteria-and-reporting"><span id="Evaluating_Exit_Criteria_and_Reporting"><strong>Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting</strong></span></h3>



<p>The exit criteria for test closure are the conditions to be fulfilled before concluding the testing phase. This includes providing a Test Closure Report, a complete document summarizing testing activities, results, and observations, and getting official approval from the client.</p>



<p><strong>Additional exit criteria may involve:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Completing all planned test activities.</li><li>Fixing critical errors.</li><li>Adhering to schedules.</li><li>Achieving test coverage goals.</li><li>Fulfilling any needed test documentation.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion">Conclusion</span></h2>



<p>The Test Closure Report plays an important role in ensuring the success of testing projects. It documents the testing process and gives valuable insights into the test executions and performance of the software. The report also helps evaluate the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software&#8217;s quality</a>, make data-driven decisions, and identify areas of improvement for future projects.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-1-what-are-the-contents-of-test-closure-report"><span id="1_What_are_the_contents_of_test_closure_report"><strong>1. What are the contents of test closure report?</strong></span></h3>



<p><strong>Ans: </strong>The test closure report includes all the necessary details that can support the completion of the testing process. The report also has screenshots, query results, recordings, and log files that gives a detailed account of the testing process. The contents of test closure report are as follows:</p>



<ul><li>Test Summary Report</li><li>Identifier</li><li>Test Summary</li><li>Variances</li><li>Comprehensive Assessment</li><li>Summary of Results</li><li>Evaluation</li><li>Summary of Activities</li><li>Approval</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-2-who-will-prepare-the-test-closure-report"><span id="2_Who_will_prepare_the_Test_Closure_Report"><strong>2. Who will prepare the Test Closure Report?</strong></span></h3>



<p><strong>Ans: </strong>A QA engineer will prepare the Test Closure Report and is reviewed by all stakeholders. This report offers a detailed analysis of the testing activities, the methodologies used, the current status of specified bugs, and detailed info regarding any remaining open defects.</p>


Test Closure Report Everything You Need To Know

Test Closure Report: Everything You Need To Know

What is Error Guessing Technique in Software Testing

What is Error Guessing Technique in Software Testing?


<p>Did you know software errors cost the US economy an estimated $1.7 trillion annually? Or that software defects are responsible for 25% of total system failures? These statistics highlight the importance of software testing. The software testing life cycle encompasses activities executed during the testing phase. By following these six key testing phases, you can ensure that the final product is free from errors, glitches, and other issues that can hamper its performance.</p>



<p>The 6 phases of testing are Requirement analysis, Test planning, Test case development, Test environment setup, Test execution, and Test reporting. We will examine the best practices and techniques that can ensure the successful completion of each phase in detail and delve into each phase. By the end of this post, you will have a complete understanding of the key phases involved in software testing.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Frame-48095883.png" alt="Phases of Testing" class="wp-image-30354" width="800" height="500" /></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#6_Key_Phases_of_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> 6 Key Phases of Testing </a><ul><li><a href="#1_Requirement_analysis"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> 1. Requirement analysis</a></li><li><a href="#2_Test_planning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.2</span> 2. Test planning</a></li><li><a href="#3_Test_case_development"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.3</span> 3. Test case development</a></li><li><a href="#4_Test_environment_setup"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.4</span> 4. Test environment setup</a></li><li><a href="#5_Test_execution"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.5</span> 5. Test execution</a></li><li><a href="#6_Test_closure"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.6</span> 6. Test closure</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Automation_as_part_of_Phases_of_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.7</span> Test Automation as part of Phases of Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Phases_of_Testing_in_Agile_SDLC_Models"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Phases of Testing in Agile SDLC Models</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_four_phases_of_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> What are the four phases of testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-6-key-phases-of-testing"><span id="6_Key_Phases_of_Testing"><strong>6 Key Phases of Testing </strong></span></h2>



<p>Here are the phases of software testing explained in detail.</p>



<h3 id="h-1-requirement-analysis"><span id="1_Requirement_analysis"><strong>1. Requirement analysis</strong></span></h3>



<p>Requirement analysis involves identifying, analyzing, and documenting the requirements of a software system.</p>



<ul><li>During requirement analysis, the software testing team works closely with the stakeholders to gather information about the system&#8217;s functionality, performance, and usability.</li><li>The requirements document serves as a blueprint for the software development team, guiding them in creating the software system.</li><li>It also serves as a reference point for the testing team, helping them design and execute effective test cases to ensure the software meets the requirements.</li></ul>



<p>In summary, by conducting thorough requirement analysis, software testing teams can help ensure the software system&#8217;s success and user satisfaction.</p>



<h3 id="h-2-test-planning"><span id="2_Test_planning"><strong>2. Test planning</strong></span></h3>



<p>During the test planning phase, the team develops a complete plan outlining each testing process step, including identifying requirements, determining the target audience, selecting appropriate testing tools and methods, defining roles and responsibilities, and defining timelines. This phase aims to ensure that all necessary resources are in place and everyone on the team understands their roles and responsibilities. A well-designed test plan minimizes risks by ensuring that potential defects are identified early in the development cycle when they are easier to fix. Also, adhering to the plan throughout the testing process fosters thoroughness and consistency in testing efforts which can save time and cost down the line.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-test-case-development"><span id="3_Test_case_development"><strong>3. Test case development</strong></span></h3>



<p>During the test case development phase, the team thoroughly tests the software and considers all possible scenarios.</p>



<p>This phase involves multiple steps, including test design, test case creation, and test case review:</p>



<ul><li>Test design involves identifying the test scenarios and defining the steps to be followed during testing.</li><li>Writing test cases for each identified scenario, including input data, expected output, and the steps to be followed, involves creating test cases.</li><li>Test case review involves reviewing the test cases to ensure they are complete and cover all possible scenarios.</li></ul>



<p>Also, this is the phase when the involvement of test automation can be started. You can select the test cases for test automation here. And, if automation is already a part of the STLC, and the product is suitable for testing, then the test case automation can be started too.</p>



<h3 id="h-4-test-environment-setup"><span id="4_Test_environment_setup"><strong>4. Test environment setup</strong></span></h3>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test environment</a> setup in software testing life refers to creating an environment that simulates the production system where the software application is deployed. A person can ensure efficient and effective testing activities by designing the test environment correctly.</p>



<p>The setup includes</p>



<ul><li>hardware,</li><li>software,</li><li>networks, and</li><li>databases.</li></ul>



<p>When setting up test environments, we consider network bandwidth, server capabilities, and storage capacity. A properly set-up test environment aims to replicate real-world scenarios to identify potential issues before deployment in production systems. Testers can perform functional, performance, or load testing during this phase. Automating your Test environment setup can make your work easier. You can set up automated tests to run on the configured setups here.</p>



<h3 id="h-5-test-execution"><span id="5_Test_execution"><strong>5. Test execution</strong></span></h3>



<p>Test execution refers to the software testing life cycle phase where created test cases are executed on the actual system being tested. At this stage, testers verify whether features, functions, and requirements prescribed in earlier phases perform as expected. The test execution also involves the execution of automated test cases.</p>



<h3 id="h-6-test-closure"><span id="6_Test_closure"><strong>6. Test closure</strong></span></h3>



<p>Test closure is integral to the STLC and includes completing all planned testing activities. It includes</p>



<ul><li>reviewing and analyzing test results,</li><li>reporting defects,</li><li>identifying achieved or failed test objectives,</li><li>assessing test coverage, and</li><li>evaluating exit criteria.</li></ul>



<p>For example, in agile methodology, test closure occurs at the end of each sprint as a formal review meeting with essential stakeholders. The team aims to validate that they have adequately tested all the functionality before release. They generate closure reports detailing the overall product quality and bug statistics, leading to the project&#8217;s successful conclusion.</p>



<p>Effective test closure signifies that the software product is ready for delivery and can move towards launch after addressing all identified defects and weaknesses, ensuring flawless functioning and a positive user experience.</p>



<p>When discussing test automation, the effective generation of test reports and integration with other tools in the test process also plays a big role.</p>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/system-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">System Testing</a></p>



<h3 id="h-test-automation-as-part-of-phases-of-testing"><span id="Test_Automation_as_part_of_Phases_of_Testing">Test Automation as part of Phases of Testing</span></h3>



<p>Thus, to succeed through the 6 phases of STLC,&nbsp;<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a>&nbsp;becomes a part too. Some tools are built keeping all of these in mind.</p>



<div class="cta-banner-v2">
<div class="title-with-description ">
<p>Here is a guide that talks in detail about automated testing</p>
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<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Learn More</a>
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<p>Tools make the steps easier by</p>



<p> 1. Making test creation easy </p>



<p>2. Enabling test environment setup </p>



<p>3. Quick test execution </p>



<p>4. Insightful test reporting. </p>



<p><strong>For example, <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>: </strong></p>



<p>1. It Makes test creation easy as it is a no-code test automation platform. Automating your tests is as easy as writing your sentences in simple English. Similarly, they are super easy to edit and maintain too. </p>



<p>2. Support for configuring the tests to run on the test environment of your choice. </p>



<p>3. Intuitive UI that enables you to create, configure and execute your tests in minutes. </p>



<p>4. Customizable test reporting; make it report according to your needs.</p>



<p><strong><em>A visual representation of creating a Test Plan with Testsigma is depicted below:</em></strong></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://d37oebn0w9ir6a.cloudfront.net/account_36412/e2e-testing-scenario-gif_38fec3c4e754f34a36cdc165adf10c78.gif" alt="Testsigma - Testplan"><figcaption>PC<strong><em>:</em></strong><a href="https://testsigma.com/tutorials/test-plans/cross-platform-end-to-end-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></figcaption></figure></div>



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<p>Improve your end-to-end test automation experience</p>
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<a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Check out Testsigma</a>
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<h2 id="h-phases-of-testing-in-agile-sdlc-models"><span id="Phases_of_Testing_in_Agile_SDLC_Models"><strong>Phases of Testing in Agile SDLC Models</strong></span></h2>



<p>Similarly, agile SDLC models also incorporate test phases to ensure the quality of the product being developed. The phases are based on the same principles, just are termed different: There are several key phases to consider when embarking on an agile testing life cycle.</p>



<ol><li>The first phase, Impact Assessment, involves gathering all necessary information from stakeholders to understand the project&#8217;s scope and requirements fully. From there, the Agile Testing Planning phase allows stakeholders to collaborate and schedule the testing process and deliverables.</li><li>The developed feature is thoroughly tested in the Release Readiness phase to ensure it meets client expectations before going live.</li><li>Daily Scrums are conducted to check testing progress and set goals for the next day.</li><li>Finally, the Test Agility Review phase involves meeting stakeholders to review progress against milestones.</li></ol>



<p>Agile testing can be conducted efficiently and effectively by following these key phases.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Read More on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/sdlc-vs-stlc/">SDLC vs STLC – Key Differences</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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



<p>To identify defects and ensure they are fixed before the product is released, it is important to give equal importance to each phase of STLC. In this blog, we discussed the various phases of STLC and what they entail.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-four-phases-of-testing"><span id="What_are_the_four_phases_of_testing"><strong>What are the four phases of testing?</strong></span></h3>



<p>The Four-Phase Test Pattern is a widely used testing methodology that helps ensure the quality and reliability of software systems.</p>



<ol><li>The first phase, Setup, involves establishing the necessary preconditions for the test.</li><li>The second phase, Exercise, involves acting on the system under test.</li><li>Verify is the third phase, where the testers check whether the expected outcome has been achieved.</li><li>Finally, in the Cleanup phase, testers return the system under test to its initial state after completing all tests.</li></ol>
