Guide to Validation Testing in Software Testing

10 Different Types Of QA Testing You Must Know

How to Build an Effective Regression Test Suite 

Low Code vs RPA Which is Best for your Project

Low Code vs RPA: Which is Best for your Project?

What is ADA Testing Why it Matters & How to Perform

What is ADA Testing | Why it Matters & How to Perform?

Back To Back Testing What it is & How to Perform

Back To Back Testing: What it is & How to Perform?

Destructive Testing What it is, Methods & How It Works

Destructive Testing | What it is, Methods & How It Works?

Velocity Testing How to Do It & Best Practices

Velocity Testing | How to Do It & Best Practices

Working in an ever-growing industry of technology one cannot stay up to date with every single technology, application or coding skills at all times. Have you ever thought that you are not great at a certain task, or confused on how to complete your work, or have asked way too many questions to another colleague on how to complete your work? This is something we can all relate to, and this is the famous word you hear &#8211; theimposter syndrome.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585058/#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20(IS)%20is%20a,accomplishments%20among%20high%2Dachieving%20individuals." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imposter syndrome</a> is something that is very likely to kick in in various stages of your career for various different reasons too. “Imposter syndrome (IS) is a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals”



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-tech-industry-felicia-boyd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Business Review</a> defines ” imposter syndrome as a feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt that can affect anyone regardless of their level of success or skill. It can manifest as a fear of being exposed as a fraud, a belief that success is due to luck, or a sense of not belonging to a particular field. People with imposter syndrome tend to discount their abilities, downplay their accomplishments, and overemphasize their mistakes.”



It becomes very difficult at times to manage time between learning and working within your teams &#8211; it is a situation where it is up to you how you overcome it, or work with it. The big question that arises here is how happy are you in your current role and how confident are you ? Do not worry at all if you are reading this and thinking you are going through it, there are ways to work around it, and this blog will help you conquer it.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Am_I_going_through_an_imposter_syndrome_patch">1 Am I going through an imposter syndrome patch?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_does_this_happen">2 Why does this happen?</a></li><li><a href="#Perfectionism_Pleasing_procrastination_and_Paralysis">3 Perfectionism, Pleasing, procrastination, and Paralysis</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_work_with_Imposter_Syndrome">4 How to work with Imposter Syndrome?</a></li><li><a href="#A_software_testers_experiencenbsp">5 A software tester’s experience&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-am-i-going-through-an-imposter-syndrome-patch">Am I going through an imposter syndrome patch?</h2>



Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome:



<ol><li>Are you an individual who has a fear of being discovered?</li><li>Self-doubting your skills and questioning being part of a team&nbsp;</li><li>Stress related to work where an employee thinks that they are expected to work more than needed.&nbsp;</li><li>Some people might judge themselves and don&#8217;t come to terms that they did actually put in the effort to achieve gold.&nbsp;</li><li>One going through Depression, frustration, anxiety, lack of self-confidence, and a few to name</li><li>Do I feel that the opportunities I’ve had so far are due to luck?</li><li>When I have new challenges, do I doubt my ability to meet them?</li><li>Am I unmotivated about new opportunities?</li><li>Do I think things that have gone well in the past are going to go wrong now?</li><li>Do I worry that people will find out that I an a fraud?</li><li>Do I compare myself to other people?</li><li>Am I not satisfied with the things I do?</li><li>Do I think that I don’t deserve the success that I’ve had?</li></ol>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/E8CMLm5tkaAWUVfFWnA76DfxYziRem8TZVu4AtpCu7ScyRseLcn49Efm9SE8H3v8SWDUXI1oQ5i5Izgd-8a40wqJayWw0FAQbMn7pXTzAaAK86PUaFaz_R6UZBk4tEXKdgZJd9mHe8yUSYm3KJvogr4" alt="imposter syndrome patch" width="600" height="338"/></figure></div>



<h2 id="h-why-does-this-happen">Why does this happen?</h2>



There are several reasons, as explained in the syndromes above on why Imposter syndrome affects individuals, however some other examples within an organization that can cause this include the following;



<ul><li>Transition/change &#8211; A new role, change of role, or being a new parent can increase this feeling as it pushes one out of their comfort zones</li><li>Traditional gender norms- In the tech world, it has been seen that more men than women are holding senior roles. Though, this is slightly changing now, still there are times when a woman&#8217;s success is compared with the impact on her family while men do not go through this. Thus, societal pressure also impacts gender as more is expected from one.&nbsp;</li><li>Intersectionality and systemic bias- Intersectional factors have led to individuals facing more imposter syndrome symptoms </li></ul>



<h2 id="h-perfectionism-pleasing-procrastination-and-paralysis">Perfectionism, Pleasing, procrastination, and Paralysis</h2>



The 4 P’s are something that has and can cause self-doubt leading to imposter syndrome. Lets understand what they really are and how their impact leads to imposter syndrome:



As a human being when we are in a new role, we want to be a perfectionist to either showcase our potential or just worry about getting a bad feedback. This can lead to worrying over small details and being very thorough, where one might not need to spend extra time.



Procrastination and Paralysis are where we think too much or plan too much before actually experiencing our next project/task/meeting. This then becomes an approach to many tasks and leads to not achieving much and spending too much time thinking.



People pleasing is one where one is aiming their best to make sure they please their team members all the time. This is not really a positive quality to have at all times as one may be a great communicator, empathetic, and diplomatic at work, however, this trait can cause destruction by leading to burnout.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-how-to-work-with-imposter-syndrome">How to work with Imposter Syndrome?</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ESbjwa2xl9HQqjk6yEBOMt2A9tm4nranL5Y1gTdANERgFblXs5vx24lTZxBHlt9bT-MyyvLV39Wd26Djg8lRqtCTlcaMPsnGdFKFX-HEW82gsVaBZO7GnoVDuy52vVKfLhi0_FCO7Rg-cPJEK-zuGrA" alt="work with Imposter Syndrome" width="800" height="534"/></figure></div>



First of all you should understand that IT IS OK. Everyone goes through different stages in their careers and someone might be a fast learner and someone might take a little bit of time to get to it. What one needs to do is be honest about their skillset and let the team know so, if there is some support available, it can be provided. Remember always to have open and clear conversations about how you feel.



You can also speak to like-minded individuals. See if there are like-minded individuals who work with you or even in other teams and talk to them or raise it on a central forum. One thing to bear in mind is that other individuals may also be going through what you are going through so, talking to them could help as someone might have overcome it and provide constructive feedback on how to turn the syndrome around!



Another way to overcome your thoughts that while through imposter syndrome is by keeping yourself busy; perhaps do a new course at work that could help you grow, do some mindfulness sessions(yoga, meditation); perhaps join a STEM group at work or play sports with your colleagues/friends &#8211; these are great ways to relax your mind and not overthink. Try to learn what triggers you and then see what solutions could protect you.&nbsp;



Your managers and leaders should also be trained to make the team members feel comfortable, for instance, by celebrating the achievements of their team members, taking the team out for lunch, and making sure the team feels happy in general. Small successes lead to big successes, and to be empathetic as a leader for your team members and those who work with you is a great positive step in your leadership style.&nbsp;



Something more to bear in mind is that leaders/managers/higher management can also have imposter syndrome, however, if the work provides a positive supportive environment, individuals can feel comfortable.



Record your wins always regardless of the size, big or small as they count a lot as your experience as well as serve as great feedback for you too. Yes, there are times one doubts themselves, but do not forget all the good work one puts in which weighs more than anything else.



Finally, one can focus on thinking about how they provide value to their work and team rather than thinking about how they are being perceived. Focus on what you have to do and help team members as this small contribution can bring more confidence in individuals.&nbsp;



Self belief, experiences, and praise are things that drive one away from this syndrome.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-a-software-tester-s-experience">A software tester’s experience&nbsp;</h2>



Sometimes, it is not YOU. What I mean by this is that the environment that you are working in and the people you work with can cause you to think that you are lacking skills or not understanding the work. I have experienced this with some managers who are micromanaging and it has made me feel low as well as underskilled.&nbsp;



Other than that, sometimes you are pressured for a task which you may have understood little or not at all, which can also make one feel confused and under-experienced or doubting themselves. You have to remember that sometimes you can solve this situation by being upfront and honest that you do not have the needed skill or it&#8217;s not possible at the moment, for you. It can create a discussion or an argument, however, you have to remember you spoke up and said the truth and it needs to be respected.&nbsp;



Another example is when you are not celebrated for the work you are putting in &#8211; your team is providing excellent feedback on it, but the management does not see it enough to celebrate it. This easily can delve one into thinking they are not that good yet or feel puzzled.



Sometimes when working with many software testers, I have witnessed favoritism which is not fair. The other testers get put forward for projects that others may feel they should go for and get to do the “fun” activities whereas other testers just sit back and continue with their day to day tasks. If there are various testers in the team, aim to balance it out so all testers feel valued and celebrate all. Not all will showcase big achievements, so celebrate the small wins too.&nbsp;



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



Imposter syndrome starts from various situations and reasons &#8211; burnout, thinking of how others perceive you and your work, favoritism at work, micromanagement, etc. It should be a task for all companies to make sure mindfulness sessions are provided to all employees and make sure that this is practiced throughout. Every company prefers retaining as many employees as possible, so why not work on supporting them all?&nbsp;



I came across 6 powerful Mantras which will help:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">It is normal to feel insecure in a team environment.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Perfection does not exist.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Mistakes are part of your journey to success.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Criticism does not equate to failure, it helps one get better.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">It&#8217;s best to give your best shot than not to try at all</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">You have been hired for a great reason, don&#8217;t self-doubt.</blockquote>



Do not aim for perfection as that does not exist, really, as all one can do is their best in their role.&nbsp;



Adding the time factor to the task at hand puts a nice boundary around it, and you’re less likely to head into burnout territory.&nbsp;



Remember, imposter syndrome is a very normal situation to be in, what&#8217;s difficult is the way to work around it. The tips provided in this blog can definitely be a starting point for all reading this.

How to overcome Imposter Syndrome – Tester’s edition

The best way to ensure your code is bug-free is to have your buddy test it, right?



Buddy testing, or peer testing, is a <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing</a> technique in which two individuals work together to test a software application. This approach has gained popularity in recent years due to its numerous benefits.



Don&#8217;t read this blog alone; drag your buddy along and hop on the ride to read!🤩



Together, we will explore the concept of buddy testing in more detail, discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and provide tips on implementing it successfully.



Let&#8217;s go!



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><ul><li><a href="#What_is_Buddy_Testing">0.1 What is Buddy Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Importance_of_Buddy_Testing">0.2 Importance of Buddy Testing</a></li><li><a href="#When_TO_perform_Buddy_Testing">0.3 When TO perform Buddy Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#When_NOT_to_use_Buddy_testing">0.4 When NOT to use Buddy testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Buddy_Testing_Process">0.5 Buddy Testing Process</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_do_Buddy_Testing_in_Testsigma">0.6 How to do Buddy Testing in Testsigma?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Buddy_Testing">1 Benefits of Buddy Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Limitations_of_Buddy_Testing">2 Limitations of Buddy Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">4 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_buddy_testing_and_pair_testing">4.1 What is the difference between buddy testing and pair testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_meaning_of_the_Buddy_method">4.2 What is the meaning of the Buddy method?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h3 id="h-what-is-buddy-testing">What is Buddy Testing?</h3>



Buddy testing is like having a second pair of eyes on your code. It&#8217;s a great way to catch bugs you might miss alone.



In my view, when two people (i.e., developer &amp; tester or two testers) work together closely on&nbsp;



<ul><li>the same module,&nbsp;</li><li>actively sharing ideas and</li><li>&nbsp;jointly identifying defects and bugs within the application</li></ul>



they ensure the quality of the product. This increases the efficiency rate of the work and even less time conception.



This approach has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its&nbsp;



<ul><li>numerous benefits,&nbsp;</li><li>improved collaboration,&nbsp;</li><li>efficiency, and</li><li>effectiveness in finding defects.&nbsp;</li></ul>



Buddy testing is now being used in various new and innovative ways.&nbsp;



For example, some teams use buddy testing to test artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems.



Did you know that buddy testing can help to improve the morale of software testing teams?&nbsp;



By working together and sharing ideas, buddy testers can feel more connected to their work and each other.



<h3 id="h-importance-of-buddy-testing">Importance of Buddy Testing</h3>



Buddy testing is essential because it can help improve software product quality.&nbsp;



By working together, buddy testers can identify more defects, reduce the risk of errors, and improve the overall efficiency of the testing process.



<ul><li>Improved collaboration and communication: Buddy testing fosters a collaborative environment where testers and developers can share ideas, learn from each other, and identify defects more effectively.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Increased efficiency and effectiveness: Buddy testing can reduce the time and resources required for testing while also improving the overall quality of the testing process.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Enhanced defect detection: By combining their perspectives and expertise, buddy testers are more likely to find defects that would otherwise be missed.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Improved software quality: By identifying and addressing defects early on, buddy testing can help ensure that the final software product is high quality.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Code deployed to a new environment: Buddy testing is a good way to test code before it is deployed to a new environment, such as production.</li></ul>



Sometimes, pairing up works, and sometimes, we are tied up with the wrong buddies. In the next section, we will read about when and when not to perform this buddy testing.



<h3 id="h-when-to-perform-buddy-testing">When TO perform Buddy Testing?</h3>



Buddy testing can be performed at any stage of the software development lifecycle, but it is most commonly performed during integration and system testing.&nbsp;



<ul><li>Buddy testing is particularly beneficial for&nbsp;<ol><li>testing complex or critical functionality,&nbsp;</li><li>new or unfamiliar code, and&nbsp;</li><li>code modified by multiple developers.&nbsp;</li></ol></li></ul>



Buddy testing can be a very effective way for new testers to learn the testing process and gain experience with different software products and technologies.



<h3 id="h-when-not-to-use-buddy-testing">When NOT to use Buddy testing?</h3>



There are times when buddy testing might not go right! Please do not do this testing during circumstances like:



<ol><li>Team members are optional if the product should undergo automation testing.&nbsp;</li><li>We can not do this test if there is a mismatch in the character or attitude of the two team members who do the testing. Pair testing should be avoided to prevent potential conflicts.&nbsp;</li><li>In cases where only structured test cases are available, a single tester will be sufficient.</li></ol>



<h3 id="h-buddy-testing-process">Buddy Testing Process</h3>



The steps involved in buddy testing:



<ol><li>Identify the primary tester and the buddy tester:</li></ol>



The primary tester is typically an experienced tester with a strong understanding of the software or system being tested. In contrast, the buddy tester may be a less professional or a subject matter expert with knowledge of the domain being tested.



<ol start="2"><li>Define the scope and objective:</li></ol>



The primary tester and the buddy tester should agree on the scope and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-define-scope-objectives-software-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">objectives of the testing</a>, including the certain features or functionality that will be tested and the expected results. This will help to make sure that the testing is focused and efficient.



<ol start="3"><li>Plan the testing:</li></ol>



The primary tester and the buddy tester should develop a testing plan of specific test cases and test scenarios that will be executed. As well as the resources and tools needed to complete the testing. This will help ensure the testing is complete and all relevant areas are covered.



<ol start="4"><li>Execute the testing:</li></ol>



The primary tester performs the testing while the buddy tester observes and provides assistance. The buddy tester may also document defects and issues identified during the testing. This collaborative approach can help to identify weaknesses and enhance the overall grade of the testing.&nbsp;



<ol start="5"><li>Review and debrief:</li></ol>



After the testing, the primary and buddy tester should review the results and debrief to discuss any issues or challenges. This will support identifying improvement areas and ensure the testing process is continually refined.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-how-to-do-buddy-testing-in-testsigma">How to do Buddy Testing in Testsigma?</h3>



Buddy Testing is not possible directly in Testsigma but it does support review workflow which enables another tester to review the work done by the tester.



Let’s see how the review feature works in Testsigma:



Login to your Testsigma account before you get started.



First, you must enable the review management feature from the settings module.&nbsp;



The picture below explains it.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/pLqHZ3vbtmIn9FrEkmwBHn6Xo2AX52X2ZWyUTaRWx9cuhJWIVJ-HWrXPtRjaqseq0yyVLR9BP-2qBHs3_01_Tkin8oioGYTg39KgpQOpD8xqcNuv4KuN90fLGHTGoitqrCt4foYo43tgSPzGNIYBudQ" alt="admin setting" /></figure>



For example, let us say Tester 1 sends his testcase for review to Tester 2. It looks like the following image.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/9IEIw6oQzBgpn1m2rPqYJSisIs1kQG3RFFVjXXmy1RWKEmcayjXBQuZkRlZuCglOk4a_Ss18Zp_Qy59wKUzMY4Gm9CAMSDQjds6WRPRSD5G01Q1RH4mRtnpIM6jQ5WtqphdYffr7ff5VgUmU_g2x8ls" alt="submit review" /></figure>



After submitting for review, here&#8217;s an example of how the dashboard for Tester 1 will look.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Z06SoXOqyGs8wIJ_KNXfrh1NraGLTdnHHocdavT3om05oOdaWYoMOqcJugg-LGRncUV-sp4kWQc6_jTeHK8O0cnt4FwuDd0WUQAzRQfQqRHZRlaf0Zdy4RA2TFWaz75cGR-wFlhUlv9tpThw-LTeGXU" alt="Dashboard" /></figure>



After receiving a test case for review, this is how the Tester 2 dashboard will appear.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Cy8-GT0b4FePoIAWx3iJAXWZhKRLxjCMLKPkdPMkwSU7PQtfw2BCPqv5At37F3n3HU33_mI-I_5bf6u_7Rm9ajDQLurhvUI8R91d0QbiF1uMW7Q8CRP3A1SY-vhsy3p40wZd9pNz_nas2VlUYCKgxz0" alt="buddy testing testcase" /></figure>



This is how Tester 2 can review and mark a test case as done.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/n9qt_qabuk48MvUefQF0aIQI5Bskf6IcRRbRFmbu0Xwv6d4d4ez-ZBL7BUUAoXW8HXDBIVZ_eHRAHOYCuAVhKqHvKXeKZN0-6AI9AUTG5dBQImXHecZp1L4-Vuv5qKg_4zncwK_yi6681ncFNAhy1Rg" alt="review status" /></figure>



I also have a workflow video in the link below to understand the process better.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Flonnect_2023-10-11_6bd0614e-0d23-41ac-925d-d9d5589c80c9" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/873269107?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
</div></figure>



 <h2 id="h-benefits-of-buddy-testing">Benefits of Buddy Testing</h2>



Major benefits are:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Improved quality: Buddy testing can help improve software product quality by identifying more defects and reducing the risk of errors. This is because two testers are more likely to find defects than one tester and can also help verify each other&#8217;s work.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Increased efficiency: Buddy testing can help increase the testing process&#8217;s efficiency. This is because two testers can work together to divide and conquer the testing workload. They can also help each other to learn and improve their testing skills.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Enhanced collaboration and communication: Buddy testing can enhance collaboration and communication between testers. Testers must work together to plan and execute the testing process. They must also communicate effectively to share their findings and resolve any disagreements.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Improved morale and motivation: Buddy testing boosts confidence and motivation by providing support, camaraderie, and opportunities for learning and career growth.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-limitations-of-buddy-testing">Limitations of Buddy Testing</h2>



While buddy testing has many benefits, it is also important to know its limitations. The limitations include:



<ul><li>Increased cost: Buddy testing can increase the cost of testing, as it requires two testers to be involved.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Reduced focus: If the two testers are well-matched, they may focus on the testing process.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Increased time commitment: Buddy testing can require a greater time commitment from testers, who must work together to plan and execute the testing process.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Increased reliance on another person: Buddy testing can increase reliance on another person, as the two testers must work together to be successful. If one tester is unavailable or unable to participate in the testing process, it can delay or disrupt the testing schedule.</li></ul>



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



Buddy testing is a collaborative software testing technique that offers many benefits, including improved defect detection, reduced testing time, improved communication and collaboration, and enhanced team morale.&nbsp;



If you want to improve the quality of your software testing process, buddy testing is a great option.



Related read: <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/adhoc-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com/blog/adhoc-testing/</a>&nbsp;



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



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-difference-between-buddy-testing-and-pair-testing">What is the difference between buddy testing and pair testing?</h3>



Buddy testing involves pairing an individual from the development team with someone from the testing team, fostering cross-functional collaboration.&nbsp;



On the other hand, pair testing involves two quality assurance (QA) professionals with varying levels of expertise, promoting knowledge sharing and diverse perspectives.



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-meaning-of-the-buddy-method">What is the meaning of the Buddy method?</h3>



The Buddy method is also known as buddy testing. This method aims to improve testing quality by providing a support system and knowledge-sharing opportunities between testers.

Buddy Testing What it is, Why &amp; How to Do

Buddy Testing | What it is, Why & How to Do?

Backward Compatibility Testing What It is & How to do

Backward Compatibility Testing | What It is & How to do?

Common Screen Resolutions What are they &amp; How to Test