QA Checklist  – What’s in it for Software Quality?

Mabl vs Selenium | Comparison & Which One to Choose?

Sometimes, peoples’ opinions on quality assurance can be limited to what they see. As an example, some people think that software testing is all about verifying each of the separate components of the software application. But, it is important to test both separate components as well as the entire software as a whole. This also may include several aspects such as security, performance, user experience, etc. This is where holistic testing is required.&nbsp;



However, most of the people are not that much familiar with this term. So, through this article, we are going to discuss what holistic testing is, why it is important, what its benefits are, how to perform holistic testing, how Testsigma can be used to do holistic testing, its limitations, and best practices.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Holistic_Testing">1 What is Holistic Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Holistic_Testing_Matters">2 Why Holistic Testing Matters?</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Holistic_Testing">3 Benefits of Holistic Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_do_Holistic_Testing">4 How to do Holistic Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#How_does_Testsigma_help_in_Holistic_testing">5 How does Testsigma help in Holistic testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Limitations_of_Holistic_Testing">6 Limitations of Holistic Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Best_Practices_in_Holistic_Testing">7 Best Practices in Holistic Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">8 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">9 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_is_it_called_holistic_testing">9.1 Why is it called holistic testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-holistic-testing">What is Holistic Testing?</h2>



Simply Holistic testing is a way of testing software and it mainly looks at the entire system instead of its separate individual components. In holistic testing, testers verify every component together and make sure the software works well in real-world situations. In holistic software testing, testers verify a software&#8217;s overall functionality as well as non-functional aspects. Here, they mainly focus on performance, security, and user experience. The goal of holistic testing is to make sure all components of the software work together smoothly and the software meets users&#8217; needs effectively. This helps in identifying and fixing issues that might not be visible when testing components individually.



<h2 id="h-why-holistic-testing-matters">Why Holistic Testing Matters?</h2>



Holistic testing is very important when it comes to guaranteeing software quality. Because it makes sure that all parts of a software system work together smoothly and gives a good user experience.&nbsp;



This holistic testing approach helps identify issues that might be missed when testing components separately. And it evaluates all the mandatory quality aspects such as functionality, performance, security, and usability as a whole.&nbsp;



This testing approach leads to smooth and reliable software while reducing the risk of problems in real-world use and increasing user satisfaction. Software development teams can make sure that their software is in good quality and a good standard by performing holistic testing.



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-holistic-testing">Benefits of Holistic Testing</h2>



Holistic software testing provides a lot of advantages to testers who want to guarantee the overall quality of a software application. Here are some of those key benefits. 



<ul><li>Testing throughout development &#8211; Guarantees continuous testing throughout all the stages of the development cycle with early bug detection.</li><li>Comprehensive test planning &#8211; Allows for a proper testing process including detailed test planning, including clear objectives, defined test environments, resource allocation, and scheduling.</li><li>Effective test plan implementation &#8211; Helps to create a well-prepared test plan, verifying whether all tests are conducted as per the requirements.</li><li>Different test methodology integration &#8211; Combines multiple testing methods such as static, dynamic, exploratory, white-box, and black-box testing.</li><li>Increased test coverage &#8211; Increases the overall test coverage. Identifies issues that can be missed while testing in other approaches.</li><li>Reduces time and cost &#8211; Identifies and fixes bugs early in the development lifecycle. It will reduce the time and cost.</li><li>Collaboration in the development team &#8211; Promotes shared responsibility among developers and testers while building collaboration.</li><li>Improved software quality &#8211; Guarantees thorough validation and verification at each stage of development, leading to higher overall software quality and user satisfaction.</li><li>Continuous testing &#8211; Supports ongoing testing efforts, which need changes from time to time. Provide real-time feedback.</li><li>Risk mitigation &#8211; Identifies and addresses high-risk areas effectively. It reduces the likelihood of major issues in the final product. </li></ul>



A holistic testing approach makes sure that all potential issues are addressed, leading to a smoother user experience.



<h2 id="h-how-to-do-holistic-testing">How to do Holistic Testing?</h2>



To perform a holistic approach to <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing</a>, it&#8217;s important to use a strategy that covers every phase of the software development process. This guarantees that the entire system is thoroughly tested and any issues that are found are fixed early. Here are the steps to conduct holistic testing.



<ol><li>Define test objectives &#8211; Set specific objectives for the testing process. Those should go along with the project&#8217;s requirements and what users expect.</li><li>Create a test plan &#8211; Create a detailed plan with related details. Information like Test environment, resources needed, team responsibilities, testing methods, schedule, and expected coverage can be added.</li><li>Implement continuous testing &#8211; Add testing activities throughout all stages of the software development cycle. Testing should go from initial design to final deployment.</li><li>Use different test methodologies &#8211; Apply various testing techniques. Testing methods such as static, dynamic, exploratory, white-box, black-box, component, and regression testing can be used.</li><li>Conduct end-to-end testing &#8211; Test the entire workflow from start to finish (An end-to-end test). Make sure all components of the system work together in a correct way.</li><li>Perform User experience (UX) testing &#8211; Verify the software from the user&#8217;s perspective. It will make sure that it is user-friendly, easy to use, and meets their needs.</li><li>Perform performance testing &#8211; Conduct performance tests and load tests. It will give an idea of how the system performs under different conditions, including high user loads and increased network traffic.</li><li>Perform security testing &#8211; Run security tests and identify potential security vulnerabilities. Fix them to protect the system from security threats.</li><li>Perform regression testing &#8211; Make sure new changes do not negatively affect existing functionalities. That can be covered through regression tests.</li><li>Gather and analyze test data &#8211; Collect data from various tests and analyze the results. Frequently, share insights with the rest of the development team for continuous improvement.</li><li>Review test reports and update accordingly &#8211; Regularly review the testing process. Make necessary changes if needed and repeat that process.</li></ol>



By following these steps, testers can make sure that their software is thoroughly tested and meets high standards of quality. This ultimately leads to a better user experience and a more reliable software product.



<h2 id="h-how-does-testsigma-help-in-holistic-testing">How does Testsigma help in Holistic testing?</h2>



Testsigma is a comprehensive testing platform that is designed to support a holistic approach in software testing with specific tools and features.&nbsp;



<ul><li>Testsigma supports <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated testing</a> including end-to-end test automation for different types of applications &#8211; web, mobile, desktop and APIs &#8211; all from the same place.&nbsp;</li><li>It supports for planning, execution, and tracking of test cases.&nbsp;</li><li>Testsigma supports data-driven testing and utilizes AI to identify issues in the software.&nbsp;</li><li>Furthermore, it has a good reporting feature as well.&nbsp;</li></ul>



By offering these features, Testigma supports in various ways when it comes to holistic testing approaches. This ensures a thorough evaluation of the software and improves the overall quality and reliability of the software application. Here is how Testsigma can be used to automate a simple test case.



<ol><li>Log in to the Testigma application, hover on the “Create&nbsp; New” button, and click on the “Test Case” option.</li></ol>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1156" height="653" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/30152755/Holistic-testing.png" alt="Holistic Testing" class="wp-image-46933" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/30152755/Holistic-testing.png 1156w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/30152755/Holistic-testing-768x434.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px" /></figure></div>



2. In the “Create Test Case” screen, give a meaningful name such as “Verify login with valid credentials” for your test script.



3. Under the URL area, give the URL to the login page of your application.



4. In Testigma, there are several ways for you to define test steps. You can record the test steps or define them in simple English easily.



5. Once the steps are created, you can easily run the tests on the devices/browsers of your choice.



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<h2 id="h-limitations-of-holistic-testing">Limitations of Holistic Testing</h2>



While holistic testing offers many advantages, it also has several limitations that can affect the testing process. Here are some of those key limitations that you might face.



<ol><li>Complexity &#8211; Managing all components of the system can be complicated and requires careful coordination.</li><li>Time-consuming &#8211; Testing everything thoroughly can take a lot of time, potentially delaying the delivery of the project.</li><li>Resource allocation &#8211; Holistic testing requires more resources, like skilled testers and advanced tools, which can increase costs.</li><li>Difficult to scale &#8211; As projects grow, maintaining comprehensive testing for larger systems can be challenging.</li><li>Test overlapping &#8211; Different tests might cover the same areas and it will result in unnecessary repetition.</li><li>Dependence on team collaboration &#8211; Due to bad communication and collaboration, the testing process can be unsuccessful.</li><li>Incomplete test coverage &#8211; Even though holistic testing gives a huge test coverage, sometimes, bugs can be still missed.</li><li>Challenges in measuring test effectiveness &#8211; It can be challenging to measure how effective holistic testing is. Because the impact of individual tests can be difficult to quantify. </li></ol>



Even though there are a few challenges, holistic testing is very important for guaranteeing overall software quality. Balancing its benefits and limitations is very important for effective testing. By understanding its limitations, teams can plan and execute tests to achieve the best results.



<h2 id="h-best-practices-in-holistic-testing">Best Practices in Holistic Testing</h2>



To initiate effective holistic testing, it is important to follow best practices that cover all aspects of the testing process. Here are some of those best practices for holistic testing. 



<ul><li>Define clear test objectives &#8211; Define clear objectives and requirements for what the testing process should achieve.</li><li>Develop a comprehensive test plan &#8211; Create a detailed plan mentioning test environments, resources, responsibilities, methods, and schedules.</li><li>Implement continuous testing &#8211; Integrate testing at every stage of development. It will identify and address issues at the earliest stages.</li><li>Use different testing methods &#8211; Combine different testing approaches. Methods such as static, dynamic, exploratory, white-box, and black-box testing can be used.</li><li>Focus on user experience (UX) testing &#8211; Include usability testing. It will help to verify whether the software is user-friendly and meets user needs.</li><li>Automate where possible &#8211; Use <a href="https://testsigma.com/qa-automation-tools">test automation tools</a> to improve efficiency in repetitive testing tasks.</li><li>Use team collaboration &#8211; Increase cooperation between developers, testers, and other stakeholders of the team.</li><li>Continuous review and update tests &#8211; Continuously review and refine test cases and strategies. Check whether they are according to the received feedback and requirement changes of the clients.</li></ul>



By following these best practices, software development teams can create and execute a thorough and effective testing process. That will ultimately help to increase software quality and reliability. This approach not only improves the end product but also streamlines the development cycle. And at the end of the development process, it leads to more successful project outcomes.



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



Holistic testing plays a key role when it comes to the overall quality and reliability of a software application. It helps to test the entire software with all functional aspects as well as the non-functional aspects such as security, performance, user experience, etc. There is a specific way to perform a holistic test and it gives a lot of benefits when it comes to ensuring software quality.&nbsp;



Even though there are limitations and challenges in holistic testing, with best practices we can ignore most of them. Furthermore, Testsigma can be also used as a holistic testing tool with its comprehensive features. At the end of the day, thanks to holistic testing, a software application with more quality and reliability can be delivered to the clients. And that will definitely make them happy.



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



<h3 id="h-why-is-it-called-holistic-testing">Why is it called holistic testing?</h3>



In a holistic approach to software testing, it looks at the entire system, not just separate individual components. This approach verifies whether all aspects, such as functionality, performance, security, and user experience, are thoroughly tested.&nbsp;



By viewing the software as a whole, holistic testing helps find and fix issues that might arise from how different parts work together. This comprehensive method verifies whether the software application meets high-quality standards and provides a smooth user experience.&nbsp;

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Postman vs RapidAPI Testing | Which is Right for Your Project?

Hello Peeps,



Welcome back to another interesting blog. We hope this title intrigued you here.&nbsp;



Are you a Bad Tester?&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180644/bad-tester.jpeg" alt="bad-tester" class="wp-image-46593" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180644/bad-tester.jpeg 1600w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180644/bad-tester-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180644/bad-tester-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180644/bad-tester-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure></div>



In our testing journey, we received this label at least once. Especially a few years back when it was all waterfall world, testing was assumed to be the easiest and simplest job. And we were blamed for any miss in production. Also, we weren’t included in the technical meetings or discussions saying it’s too technical for the testing team. Have you been in the same boat? You might have experienced this painful situation in your <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/career-in-software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing career</a>. A lot of things are changing in recent years and this agile environment is contributing so much towards the inclusion of testing teams from the early stages of development.&nbsp;



We as Testers are juggling multiple roles today and contributing to the technical discussions. If someone still refers to you as a “Bad Tester”, I want you to not consider it a bad label. Grab that opportunity and shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of the strong software tester mindset.&nbsp;



In this blog post, we will explore the concept of being a &#8220;Bad Tester,&#8221; break the myth of perfection, and celebrate the invaluable lessons that can be gleaned from embracing this persona.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#The_Myth_of_Perfection">1 The Myth of Perfection</a></li><li><a href="#Breaking_the_Mold">2 Breaking the Mold</a><ul><li><a href="#Key_Attributes_of_a_8220Bad_Tester8221">2.1 Key Attributes of a &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221;</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Learning_from_Failure">3 Learning from Failure</a><ul><li><a href="#The_Power_of_Reflection">3.1 The Power of Reflection</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Embracing_Diversity_and_Inclusion">4 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion</a><ul><li><a href="#Cultivating_Empathy">4.1 Cultivating Empathy</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">5 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-the-myth-of-perfection">The Myth of Perfection</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180753/The-myth-of-perfection-.jpeg" alt="The-myth-of-perfection" class="wp-image-46595" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180753/The-myth-of-perfection-.jpeg 1600w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180753/The-myth-of-perfection--300x300.jpeg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180753/The-myth-of-perfection--768x768.jpeg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180753/The-myth-of-perfection--1536x1536.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure></div>



“Have no fear of perfection &#8211; you&#8217;ll never reach it” &#8211; Salvador Dali, Spanish Artist.



Testing, by its very nature, is rooted in the pursuit of perfection. People expect everything to be perfect when it comes to Testing. They imagine that all the mess can be fixed during the testing phase. Testers should wear multiple hats and they don’t require any technical or product knowledge.&nbsp;



Testers are expected to find defects, report and track them, identify weaknesses and potential vulnerabilities, and ensure that software meets the highest standards of quality. If anything goes wrong in production, testers are easily blamed. Not in all places, it’s still happening in a few places. However, in our search for perfection, we often forget that testers, too, are human beings. The expectation of flawless execution can be suffocating, leading testers to avoid risk-taking, not helping to think outside of the box, experimentation, and innovation for fear of failure. We can aim for perfection and work towards it, but focusing only on it could be really meaningless and stressful.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-breaking-the-mold">Breaking the Mold</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180900/Breaking-mold.jpeg" alt="Breaking mold" class="wp-image-46597" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180900/Breaking-mold.jpeg 1600w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180900/Breaking-mold-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19180900/Breaking-mold-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure></div>



It’s been a while since we have all been labeled as a “Bad Tester” for doing the right things. It is time to challenge the notion that a &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; means being incompetent. On the contrary, the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; is an archetype of brave vulnerability, unafraid to make mistakes, willing to learn, and eager to grow. We need to speak out on this.&nbsp;



Embracing the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; mentality involves stepping outside perfectionism and embracing the messy, trying things out of the comfort zone, a tumultuous journey of self-discovery and constant improvement, and consistent and lifelong learning.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-key-attributes-of-a-bad-tester">Key Attributes of a &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221;</h3>



<ul><li>Courage: The &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; possesses the courage to challenge the status quo, question assumptions, and push boundaries.</li><li>Curiosity: Curiosity fuels the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8217;s&#8221; insatiable thirst for knowledge, driving them to explore new technologies, methodologies, and perspectives. It helps them to explore multiple tools and ask crazy questions.</li><li>Creativity: Embracing the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; mentality unlocks a world of creative possibilities, allowing for innovative solutions and unconventional approaches to testing challenges. This helps improve the overall process and helps to save time.</li><li>Collaboration: The &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; recognizes the value of collaboration, seeking feedback, mentorship, and support from peers to continuously improve their craft.</li><li>Communication: The “Bad Tester” communicates effectively with the stakeholders and the project team and provides timely updates. It also maintains a good rapport with the developers and the technical team.&nbsp;</li><li>Attentive: Bad Testers are very attentive and they are very good listeners. They listen and comprehend the information. Document the details whenever required.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-learning-from-failure">Learning from Failure</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181010/learning-from-failure.jpeg" alt="learning from failure" class="wp-image-46599" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181010/learning-from-failure.jpeg 1600w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181010/learning-from-failure-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181010/learning-from-failure-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181010/learning-from-failure-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption>learning from failure</figcaption></figure></div>



&#8220;We need to accept that we won&#8217;t always make the right decisions, that we&#8217;ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it&#8217;s part of success.&#8221; ― Arianna Huffington, Greek-American author



Mistakes happen everywhere. If we are bound to stop or cease progress with mistakes, then we are doomed forever. We should recall our childhood learning “Failures are the stepping stones to success”. Failure is not a mark of weakness but a badge of honor for the &#8220;Bad Tester.&#8221; Each mistake made, misstep taken, mishap happened, and oversight is an opportunity for growth and learning. Testers can acquire resilience, adaptability, and humility in the face of adversity by perceiving failure as a stepping stone toward success.



<h3 id="h-the-power-of-reflection">The Power of Reflection</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19174139/unnamed-3.jpg" alt="The Power of Reflection" class="wp-image-46583" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19174139/unnamed-3.jpg 2000w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19174139/unnamed-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19174139/unnamed-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19174139/unnamed-3-1536x1536.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure></div>



Self-reflection helps to overcome the failure and mitigate the outcomes from the failures. We do this by asking multiple questions ourselves and trying to find answers to them. Being aware of your strengths can help you capitalize on them whilst being aware of your weaknesses can help you to work and improve them.



<ul><li>Self-Awareness: Retrospection helps software testers gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses or limitations, biases, motivations, and improvement areas to make better decisions and enhance their performance. This helps software testers to be more effective in their role and make better decisions., which in turn improves the efficacy of testing.&nbsp;</li><li>Continuous Improvement: It&#8217;s critical to take responsibility for your mistakes rather than diverting the blame elsewhere. Keep track of the mistakes, process them, and reflect on them. By analyzing past mistakes and wins, testers can understand more about the patterns, define or refine their strategies, and improve or change their testing approach over time.</li><li>Community Support: Community is the heart of everything. People share and learn along with the testing community. In this virtual world, testers all over the globe are closely connected through communities. These communities foster a culture of learning, mentorship, and mutual support, enriching the collective knowledge and expertise of testers worldwide.&nbsp;</li><li>Practice empathy: Being aware of your own emotions is an important skill, and we are quite aware of this. It’s equally important to be aware of other’s feelings. Practicing empathy can help you better understand the perspectives and needs of your team members and stakeholders. It also helps to create a greater bond within the team and creates overall an optimistic work ambiance.</li><li>Seek feedback: Being open to constructive criticism and feedback. You should be reaching your team and leaders to provide feedback on your performance. This can help you gain a better understanding of your work and how you can improve on the areas of improvement.</li><li>Challenge your biases: As a human, we all have biases, but we as software testers need to be aware of them. Learning about the biases is the first step to react towards it. Biases influence our decisions and actions without us even realizing it. Take time to reflect on your biases and be aware of how they could affect the testing process and deliverables.</li><li>Set goals: Goals are the fuel for your everyday activities. Analyze your current skill set and position. Based on it, set realistic goals. They help you to stay consistent.&nbsp;</li></ul>



Read our blog on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Software Testing Skills</a>



<h2 id="h-embracing-diversity-and-inclusion">Embracing Diversity and Inclusion</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181053/Embracing-Diversity-and-Inclusion.jpeg" alt="Embracing Diversity and Inclusion" class="wp-image-46601" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181053/Embracing-Diversity-and-Inclusion.jpeg 1600w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181053/Embracing-Diversity-and-Inclusion-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/19181053/Embracing-Diversity-and-Inclusion-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption>Embracing Diversity and Inclusion</figcaption></figure></div>



The &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; mentality transcends borders, cultures, and backgrounds, welcoming individuals of all experiences, skill levels, and perspectives into the testing community. Diversity and inclusion are not merely buzzwords but crucial to innovation, creativity, and excellence in the overall <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-process/">testing process</a>. Being open and broad-minded can lead the way to multiple opportunities and help in building a more inclusive product or application. 



<h3 id="h-cultivating-empathy">Cultivating Empathy</h3>



<ul><li>Empathy: The &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; empathizes with end-users, stakeholders, and colleagues, recognizing the impact of their work and appreciating them whenever needed. </li><li>Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and inclusion fosters a culture of belonging, respect, and empowerment, where every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated. Using inclusive language in all communications and documentation also matters. </li><li>Global Impact: By embracing diverse perspectives and experiences, testers can uncover hidden biases, assumptions, and blind spots, leading to more thorough, inclusive, and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/robustness-testing/">robust testing</a> practices. While working in the global environment, testers learn multiple things. </li><li>Diversity in Leadership: Diversity applies not only to the teams but also to leadership and managerial positions. Giving equal opportunities to everyone can help build a diverse organization and their diversified experiences and opinions can add value to the team and the entire organization.</li></ul>



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



Being a Tester is hard. We have seen multiple changes and evolvements through these years. Ultimately all the changes helped us to evolve, learn, and enhance ourselves. We have had our bad days, some are good, really good. In the end, we always struggled and gave out the best of everything.&nbsp;



When you are too good, you also face some consequences. It’s part of that, you might be labeled as a “Bad Tester”.&nbsp;



To summarize, the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; is not a pariah but rather a pioneer, challenging the status quo, defying expectations, and reshaping the narrative of testing excellence. Sometimes being too good is labeled as bad because not everyone acknowledges or accepts it. Together we can unlock our potential, promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and build a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient testing community. Let us celebrate the &#8220;Bad Tester&#8221; within us all and embark on a journey of fearless exploration, boundless creativity, and transformative growth.

Embracing the “Bad Tester” Mentality

TestRigor vs Selenium - Which One You Should Choose?

TestRigor vs Selenium – Which One You Should Choose?

Testing is a world of adjectives where each type of testing comes with its own title.&nbsp;



I am sure you have heard of titles like Functional Tester, Automation Tester, Performance Tester, etc. These are popular specializations.&nbsp;



However, there are unique modes in which all these categories of testers operate.&nbsp;



There&#8217;s no one-approach-fits-all in the testing world. Each specialization has its’ own unique skills, perspectives, and values. While distinctly unique, at the end of the day, each of these testers contributes to the overall quality of the product.&nbsp;



In this article, we&#8217;ll explore various tester role types, their key responsibilities, skills, and how each of them contributes to creating a better testing process.&nbsp;



As a tester, it will also help you identify where you fit and how you can collaborate effectively with other testers. If you are someone who manages testers, knowing this distinction will also help you build a holistic testing team.



Spoiler Alert: Most testers have a blend of two or three types within them.&nbsp;



Let’s dive into each of these roles in detail.&nbsp;



<ol><li>Analytical Tester</li><li>Technical Tester</li><li>Administrative Tester</li><li>Social Tester</li><li>Customer Savvy Tester</li><li>AI Tester</li><li>Developer (Supportive Tester)</li></ol>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Analytical_Tester">1 Analytical Tester</a></li><li><a href="#Technical_Tester">2 Technical Tester</a></li><li><a href="#Administrative_Tester">3 Administrative Tester</a></li><li><a href="#Social_Tester">4 Social Tester</a></li><li><a href="#Customer_Savvy_Tester">5 Customer Savvy Tester</a></li><li><a href="#AI_Tester">6 AI Tester</a></li><li><a href="#Developer_as_Tester">7 Developer as Tester</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-analytical-tester">Analytical Tester</h2>



The Sherlock Holmes of the testing world



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeYo0uYq6OWGWcZAihSJkPvza-F4-PGtDyJJSMJL2sfRlB5_EwxiMVfjzbaXrFSAR1PsEN6aCscaZrfH00KR8pVYk8YUDUv9a-Rb-Rkef9CNc65dEKngaE8j-yEVNgzeeIvIHgt7Nsqm5U2z1zt_wogr3Q?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Analytical Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



They create models, diagrams, mindmaps, design documents, spreadsheets, and combinatorics to dissect and understand the product better.&nbsp;



The tests are then designed on their basis.&nbsp;



Analytical testers focus on test design. They meticulously plan their tests, analyze requirements, and create comprehensive tests covering a wide range of scenarios.&nbsp;



They also focus on analyzing and pinpointing the root causes behind any issue.



Top Skills &#8211; Analytical Testers:



<ul><li>Test Design: Creating detailed and structured tests for systemic coverage of product layers.</li><li>Risk Analysis: Identifying and mitigating potential risks and prioritizing testing accordingly.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/exploratory-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exploratory Testing</a>: Investigating software functionality with a focus on exploration and discovering the unknowns.</li><li>Note-taking: Keeping records of testing notes, findings, and bugs.</li></ul>



<h2 id="technical-tester">Technical Tester</h2>



The programming ninjas of the testing world



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe61WTH00PgGRl666ZP_Bj3Mttr2R1oUFLf5HrNR4QteU69Gv42RzBPeWfB1eNuxbT_TdbuNhfA1Slk13YZtM62g8yra6qUrsuJOOfp9JeinVjcuDwsK2wss-HHtbiF1n0fNrn1v5biK2mUjnfobF2gc1k?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Technical Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



They love writing code to test the application. They integrate testing assertions into their automation workflow, developing frameworks and scripts to accelerate the feedback loop.



Technical testers focus on writing code that automates repetitive tasks or test steps, enabling teams to execute test suites quickly and efficiently.



Some of the typical tasks performed by <a href="https://www.ministryoftesting.com/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-technical-tester" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technical testers</a>:



<ul><li>Test Script Development: Writing scripts that execute various test cases.</li><li>Test Maintenance &amp; Execution: Ensuring <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-script/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test scripts</a> are always updated.</li><li>CI Integration: Seamlessly incorporating tests into the CI/CD pipeline.</li><li>Automation Framework Development: Building frameworks and utilities to support automated testing.</li><li>Result Analysis: Analyzing automation results to identify issues.</li></ul>



Top Skills &#8211; Technical Tester:



<ul><li>Testability and Automatibility: Develop tools that ensure smoother testing and automation.</li><li>Clean Coding: Write simple, efficient, and elegant code.</li><li>Design Patterns: Use established patterns such as Page Object Mode, Singleton, etc. to design test solutions.</li><li>Automation Design: Craft effective <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated tests</a>.</li><li>Programming Fundamentals: Basics of coding principles, and paradigms.</li><li>Tools and Platforms: Expertise in tools like Selenium, JUnit, Jenkins, etc.</li></ul>



<h2 id="administrative-tester">Administrative Tester</h2>



Project managers of the testing world



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfxMp3f0KnDFSI-uuwxHa3wCbhSnY0h6yjeBZeqUHm2lOcfwLwxtnbuV41egtxxVHGtzaHg5HQv_yBi5P-EMrXT6U2h0HhLRNYKCfVdOJ7htmVIJcAWryLXhd17rU2yHhqcML9KIV991L2cO8RTJis3y5Tu?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Administrative Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



They break down testing as a set of tasks to be completed efficiently and effectively.



They focus on the overall testing strategy, execution, and reporting. They handle test planning, scheduling, and people allocation. They ensure that all testing activities are aligned with the business goals and timelines.&nbsp;



They make sure that the relevant testing artifacts are created, updated, and maintained over time.



Some tasks performed by administrative testers include:



<ul><li>Test Strategy: Define the overall test approach.</li><li>Test Estimation: Plan and negotiate the time and people needed for testing.</li><li>Test Reporting: Generate detailed reports on high-level test progress and results.</li><li>Test Planning: Schedule and coordinate testing activities.</li><li>Managing Overall Testing Activities: Align and manage the entire testing process and tasks.</li><li>Metrics &amp; Reviews: Define relevant metrics and review them over time.</li><li>Standards &amp; Compliance: Ensure compliance and industry standards are met.</li><li>Defining Workflows: Create efficient workflows for the testing process.</li></ul>



Top Skills &#8211; Administrative Tester:



<ul><li>Requirement Engineering: Understand and explore requirements.</li><li>Test Strategy and Planning: Develop comprehensive test plans.</li><li>Test Management: Oversee <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-execution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test execution</a> and progress.</li><li>Estimation: Predict testing tasks and their synchronization.</li><li>Planning: Schedule and resource allocation.</li><li>Note-taking: Document plans, progress, and issues.</li></ul>



<h2 id="social-tester">Social Tester</h2>



Network and communication hub of the testing world



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfkM2oZbMCvqiCo1FFfPBcRHKI5-f4Kgu833SoBIihBTZ0nNvFpwCyLEpZPVze98ytxb-BqRCXkF_uEpUsSM0O_0rdO4HGcSRnJ0oSSx6-deHwagaSEdIZQcTy2lbWiknbeI_2ApUMYm6D7GfTMD-xwfj65?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Social Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure>



They love interacting with people, building relationships, and fostering collaboration. They thrive on conversations, and understanding the internal as well as external sides of software development.&nbsp;



You can think of them as social butterflies — fluttering between technology and the people developing it.



Social testers focus on sharing opportunities and collaborating with other tester types, as well as developers ensuring a <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/holistic-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">holistic approach to testing</a>.



Top Skills &#8211; Social Testers:



<ul><li>Writing: Clear and concise written and visual communication.</li><li>Listening: Understand the perspectives and needs of others.</li><li>Persuasion: Convince stakeholders and influence them about the need for thorough testing.</li><li>Questioning: Ask the right questions at the right time to the right people.</li><li>Storytelling: To communicate testing stories effectively.</li><li>Communication: Articulation of thoughts, ideas, and plans.</li></ul>



<h2 id="customer-savvy-tester">Customer Savvy Tester</h2>



Advocates of the customers



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfENGibXvJ4taB9Aw-KPQdqjVSyLPMWun6mdlR-s8PiE8ECGSu1yBLr-jlcpVeQzCTloGUcZPhfrrRrKYx0vv4BUSkalkhLYnZUu0pmNW2R2xGyhqDzuiH5MMWvxaRWWfgotTCRYiK3KLVSpyK11OAqFzA?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Customer Savvy Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



They put themselves in users&#8217; shoes to understand their needs, personas, emotions, and actions. They advocate for fine-tuning user experiences.



They don’t just test the software, they feel it. This superpower helps them uncover issues that really matter to the end customer.&nbsp;



They focus on understanding user scenarios and advocating for issues that could impact the user.



Top Skills &#8211; Customer Savvy Tester:



<ul><li>User Touring: Investigate the software from a user&#8217;s journey perspective.</li><li>Bug Advocacy: Advocate the importance of fixing user-impacting challenges.</li><li>Requirement Engineering: Ensure requirements reflect user needs.</li><li>Note-taking: Document user scenarios and test results.</li></ul>



<h2 id="ai-tester">AI Tester</h2>



the cutting edge of modern testing and industrial revolution 5.0



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfDqM2d3_3k_2zEz0gfxdjFDdQI2Zx5NMXOlb-6Nert_lDJfhjlYMmXr91oKqEnEcZH68JJnoSTYJuCf85AvmY0tMq1P2PwDxs8nNA-BnZzjPE0S93K35ZOq6HtPI94UuMSu5lnJkigNr-ZN083-AicCAU?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="AI Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure>



They leverage artificial intelligence to assist and enhance <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing processes</a> and outcomes.



They focus on developing precise models and strategies for implementing AI in testing, as well as educating their teams on AI tools and use cases.



Some of the typical tasks performed by AI testers:



<ul><li>Develop Precise Models for Testing: Create and train AI models on the right data.</li><li>Coach Team about AI Tools: Educate team on AI tools and applications.</li><li>Creating &#8220;AI in Testing&#8221; Strategy: Define how AI will be used in testing, what would be the benefits as well as risks.</li><li>Defining Smart Prompts for Testing Tasks: Create effective AI prompts for usage with the team.</li><li>Developing Utilities for Testing &amp; Automation via AI: Build AI-powered testing tools.</li><li>AI Ethics &amp; Governance: Ensure ethical use of AI in testing.</li></ul>



Top Skills &#8211; AI Testers:



<ul><li>Basics of AI and ML: Understand fundamental AI and machine learning concepts.</li><li>Models and LLMs: Knowledge of various AI models and large language models.</li><li>LLM Syndromes: Understand the limitations and challenges of LLMs.</li><li>AI Testing Tools: Proficiency in <a href="https://testsigma.com/tools/ai-testing-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-based testing tools</a>.</li><li>AI Ethics: Ensure ethical considerations in AI usage.</li><li>Prompt Engineering: Craft efficient prompts for AI models using appropriate prompt engineering techniques.</li></ul>



This also is a great opportunity to tell you about a tool that an AI tester would want to know about.



<a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> is a low-code Gen-AI powered test automation tool that allows testers to automate web, mobile, desktop app, and API testing in the same platform. It makes test automation faster and more efficient with its robust test automation features. The Gen-AI capabilities provide intelligent suggestions that help scale your tests. The key areas of Testsigma where AI plays a major role are,



<ul><li>AI-powered auto healing reduces your test maintenance efforts by up to 70%</li><li>Makes your test automation 10x faster in terms of test creation and execution</li><li>Get smart test case suggestions via prompts and ensure 100% test coverage</li><li>Provides detailed and automated test reporting for every test run</li></ul>



There&#8217;s more: have a quick look into how Testsigma&#8217;s<a href="https://testsigma.com/ai-driven-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> AI-driven low-code testing</a>



<h2 id="developer-as-tester">Developer as Tester</h2>



Supportive testers



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcyg3V18Srhviqoldxim-QzxWsmUAg-mbUCOjJWuv0PO7T05UWofpAoEQ2Q31bmSgUsKQJZ4Zwtt6V_8r7GfWcO2WWBr5i5RqbIKv_7t8u3wTaJMuv2od0fxEdRMhH0USfzIrGSJTiUjZMc1ntUPFvFntJU?key=snlPEKSw9Jy_BSXT6fZerg" alt="Developer as Tester" width="600" height="400" /></figure>



Developers aren&#8217;t primarily responsible for testing, but they play an equally crucial supportive role. They write unit tests and help testers with testability as well as automatibility. They contribute to unit tests as well as CI workflows.



Good developers focus on writing testable code and supporting the testing process through unit testing and design considerations.



Top Skills &#8211; Developer as Tester



<ul><li>Unit Testing: Writing tests for individual units of code.</li><li>Design Thinking: Designing features with testability in mind.</li><li>Collaboration: Working closely with testers to ensure seamless integration and testing.</li></ul>



Holla! That’s all!



While reading this article, you must have resonated with each tester type. We adapt to different roles in different conditions and contexts. Each role then brings valuable skills and perspectives, ensuring that the <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing</a> process is in-check. 



By recognizing, leveraging, and upskilling on these diverse talents, you can develop yourself as a well-rounded tester.&nbsp;



Happy testing!