Progression Testing: Elevating Evolution of Software Testing

In the dynamic realm of software development, keeping pace with the ever-evolving landscape is imperative. Amidst this perpetual technological flux, “Progression Testing” emerges as more than a mere buzzword in 2023. 

Think of your software as a symphony, each code line representing a musical note. Progression Testing assumes the role of a skilled conductor in this intricate ensemble. It ensures that every new addition to your software composition seamlessly harmonizes with the existing melody. Like refining a recipe before it reaches your plate, this practice guarantees that each code flavor complements the next in perfect harmony.

What is Progression Testing?

Progression Testing, often called Incremental Testing, is a pivotal concept in Software Testing. At its core, Incremental Testing involves a sequential examination of individual test modules. In cases where applications sport parent-child modules, the associated modules must undergo preliminary testing.

Progression Testing, a subset of Integration Testing, is a strategy designed to execute integration testing for software products. This methodology involves subjecting the system to existing test cases from prior tests, ensuring consistency. This practice reaffirms the operational integrity of previous system functions and helps identify potential issues before they cause system changes.

Functional Testing + Regression Testing + User Acceptance Testing = Progression Testing

This testing emerges as a blend of Functional Testing, Regression Testing, and User Acceptance Testing. It amalgamates these testing dimensions to ensure the system retains its functional prowess while accommodating evolving changes. This multifaceted approach defines the landscape of Progression Testing, safeguarding the reliability of your software product amid the dynamic currents of development.

Why is Progression Testing Done?

Progression Testing, also known as Incremental Testing, serves as a vital practice in software development for several compelling reasons:

• Seamless Integration: It ensures smooth integration of new code with existing modules, preventing disruptions in the software’s overall functionality.
• Step-by-Step Validation: Testing modules sequentially identifies issues early, allowing developers to rectify them before they snowball into more significant problems.
• Hierarchical Modules: Beneficial for applications with parent-child module relationships, where testing-related modules first maintain system stability.
• Accurate Issue Isolation: If a test fails, the change causing it is more evident as the rest of the system remains constant.
• Functionality Assurance: Through a combination of Functional, Regression, and User Acceptance Testing, it guarantees that new additions don’t compromise existing features.
• Enhanced Reliability: Focusing on integration increases software reliability, minimizing post-deployment glitches.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: Early bug detection reduces debugging efforts, translating to saved time and costs.

By automating repetitive tasks and intelligently adapting to changes, With its AI-powered capabilities, Testsigma harmonizes effortlessly with Progression Testing, streamlining the testing journey. 

Automate your progression tests for web, mobile, desktop applications and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma

How to Do Progression Testing? (Everything You Need to Know )

Manual Progression Testing:

Manual Progression Testing involves a step-by-step evaluation of software modules. Here’s how to execute it:

• Sequential Testing: Test each module individually, ensuring the new code integrates smoothly with the existing system.
• Hierarchical Validation: When dealing with parent-child modules, assess related modules first to maintain stability.
• Functional Verification: Check if the new functionalities perform as expected and don’t disrupt the existing features.
• Regression Checks: Verify that modifications haven’t caused previously resolved issues to resurface.

Example: In an e-commerce app, adding a new payment gateway requires testing how ordering works and processing inventory modules.

Sequential Testing: Test all the payment gateway modules individually to ensure proper integration.

Hierarchical Validation: Validate how the payment gateway interacts with the order processing module (parent-child relationship).

Functional Verification: Check if the payment gateway processes payments accurately and doesn’t affect other order-related functionalities.

Regression Checks: Verify that adding the payment gateway hasn’t caused issues that were previously resolved, such as order processing glitches.

Automated Progression Testing:

Automation expedites Progression Testing. Tools like Testsigma make this process efficient:

• Test Case Design: Develop test cases for each module interaction, considering real-world scenarios.
• Automate Scripts: Create automated scripts to simulate module interactions.
• Data-Driven Testing: Automate scenarios with varying data inputs to validate system responses.
• Regression Suites: Maintain a suite of automated tests to rerun whenever new changes are made.

The above video demonstrates how Testsigma simplifies the automation process, providing a step-by-step guide to efficiently validate user login functionality using valid credentials.

Automate your progression tests for web, mobile, desktop applications and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma

When Is The Right Time To Do Progression Testing?

Determining the right juncture for Progression Testing is crucial to maintaining a harmonious software ecosystem:

• Post Integration: Once individual modules are developed and unit-tested, begin Progression Testing. This assures that combined functionalities work seamlessly.
• After Functional Enhancements: When adding new features or modifying existing ones, initiate Progression Testing. This prevents unintended consequences on the rest of the system.
• Before User Acceptance: Conduct Progression Testing before User Acceptance Testing. This confirms that all modules collaborate as anticipated before user evaluation.
• Release Candidates: Before software release, validate it through Progression Testing. This ensures a smooth release, minimizing post-release issues.

By aligning Progression Testing with these key phases, you harmonize code interactions and avert potential disruptions, creating a symphony of software excellence.

When Not to Do Progression Testing?

While Progression Testing offers significant benefits, there are instances where its applicability might be limited:

• Minor Changes: For minor code tweaks, the overhead of Progression Testing might outweigh the potential benefits.
• Lack of Modules: The complexity of simple systems with few or no interdependent modules doesn’t warrant Progression Testing.
• Unstable Base: Focusing on stabilization before Progression Testing is more prudent if the existing software is inherently unstable.
• Resource Constraints: In tight deadlines or resource shortages, dedicating time to comprehensive Progression Testing might be challenging.
• Extensive Overhaul: During a complete software overhaul, traditional testing methods need to take precedence over Progression Testing.

By gauging your software project’s scope, complexity, and goals, you can determine when Progression Testing might not provide the desired advantages, allowing you to allocate resources more effectively.

Difference Between Progression Testing and Regression Testing

Aspect	Progression Testing	Regression Testing
Focus	Tests the integration of new code with existing modules	Validates that recent code changes haven’t impacted existing functionalities
Objective	Ensure the new additions harmonize within the system	Confirm that existing features remain intact after code changes
Test Scope	Primarily covers new functionalities and modules	Concentrates on pre-existing functionalities
Test Cases	Involves creating test cases for new modules	Reuses and reruns existing test cases
Usefulness	Crucial during system integration and new feature addition	Vital after code changes or bug fixes
Risk Mitigation	Aims to prevent issues stemming from new integrations	Guards against potential regressions due to code changes

Understanding the distinctions between Progression Testing and Regression Testing helps ensure a comprehensive and effective testing strategy for your software.

What is Progressive Regression Testing?

Progressive Regression Testing is an advanced testing strategy that combines the strengths of both Progression Testing and Regression Testing. It’s tailored to accommodate the dynamic nature of software development, ensuring seamless integration of new features while safeguarding existing functionalities.

In Progressive Regression Testing:

• Integration Harmony: New code additions are tested progressively to ensure they mesh harmoniously with the existing system. This mitigates the risk of integration conflicts.
• Regression Assurance: Simultaneously, the entire software undergoes regression testing, guaranteeing that no new changes have introduced unexpected errors or glitches in previously functional areas.
• Code Evolution Monitoring: The strategy evolves with the codebase. It dynamically adapts test cases and scenarios to reflect changes in the software, maximizing testing efficiency and accuracy.

Progressive Regression Testing strikes a balance between innovation and stability. It enables developers to introduce enhancements confidently while maintaining a strong safety net for the established components. This approach ultimately supports creating reliable, robust, and forward-looking software products.

Transitioning from Progression Tests to Regression Tests: A Strategic Approach

Transitioning from Progression Tests to Regression Tests involves a strategic approach to maintaining software quality and stability. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Identify Critical Scenarios: 

Determine which scenarios from your Progression Testing need to be included in your Regression Test suite. These scenarios either test new features or expose vulnerabilities that must be rechecked to prevent regressions.

Prioritize Bug Testing: 

When a bug is identified, the test case that reproduces the bug should be immediately incorporated into your Regression Testing suite. This ensures that the same issue doesn’t reappear in the future due to new changes.

Regression Test Suite Management: 

Keep a well-organized suite for Regression Testing. This suite should include both scenarios from your Progression Testing and any other test cases that validate the software’s existing features.

Automation Integration: 

As your application evolves, manual tests can become automated. Identify repetitive scenarios that need consistent retesting and automate them. This increases testing efficiency and coverage.

Test Case Updates: 

Regularly update your Regression Test suite as new features are added, and existing features are modified. Test cases that started as Progression Tests for new features can become permanent Regression Tests for existing features.

Version Control: 

Keep track of different versions of your Regression Test suite, aligning them with your software’s versions. This ensures that you’re testing against the appropriate software iteration.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): 

Integrate your Regression Testing suite into your CI/CD pipeline. This automates the testing process and ensures that every code change is tested against your established scenarios.

Feedback Loop: 

Monitor the outcomes of your Regression Testing diligently. If new issues arise, they should be addressed promptly and incorporated into the Regression Test suite.

Documentation: 

Maintain clear documentation of your Regression Testing process, including which scenarios are tested and any automation scripts used.

By smoothly transitioning Progression Tests to Regression Tests and automating wherever possible, you enhance software quality, minimize risks, and maintain a stable and reliable application throughout its lifecycle.

Conclusion: 

Progression Testing is a crucial component in the ever-evolving landscape of software development, seamlessly blending new code additions with existing functionalities. This approach ensures a harmonious software composition that resonates with innovation while safeguarding the reliability of previous versions. Located alongside Regression Testing, This testing ensures that each code change harmonizes with the existing features, resulting in a resilient, polished product. 

By understanding the nuances of Progression Testing, its integration with regression, and its alignment with the software’s lifecycle, developers and testers can create a symphony of software excellence that resonates in the dynamic and ever-changing realm of technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the objectives of progression testing?

• Integration Harmony: Ensuring new code additions blend seamlessly with existing functionalities.
• Preventing Regressions: Verifying that new changes don’t introduce errors or issues in previously stable areas.
• Stability Assurance: Maintaining the overall stability of the software as it evolves.
• Bug Detection: Identifying and rectifying integration bugs early in the development process.
• Optimized User Experience: Confirm that new features don’t disrupt the user experience or existing features.