Skills for Manual Testing

Despite the surge in automated testing and AI tools out there, testing manually is still super important for making sure software works right. 

As a Manual tester, cultivating a mindset of critical thinking is key to verifying product functionality and aligning actual outcomes with expected results. Proficiency in manual testing requires a diverse skill set, encompassing the evaluation of usability, performance, security, and accessibility aspects.

Here are some unique skills that can elevate a manual tester’s effectiveness in ensuring exceptional software quality:

1. Strong Analytical Skills

Analytical skills are vital for thinking outside the box and generating edge cases for thorough product testing. Simply verifying requirements and following the happy path is not sufficient. Additionally,  skilled manual testers must also possess strong analytical capabilities to troubleshoot unexpected issues encountered during testing sessions.

2. Proficiency in API Testing:

Understanding Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is becoming increasingly crucial for manual testers, especially in the age of interconnected systems. Testers should be familiar with the basics of API testing, including how to interact with APIs and validate their responses. 

Proficiency in tools like POSTMAN enables testers to send requests, inspect responses, and verify the functionality of API endpoints. Moreover, knowledge of RESTful and SOAP APIs helps testers thoroughly check the behind-the-scenes part of the software, making sure data is kept safe and the system works reliably.

Check here – Manual Testing Tools

3. Understanding of Databases:

Since data is the backbone of many software applications, testers must have a solid understanding of databases. This includes knowledge of database management systems (DBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. 

Testers should be comfortable writing and executing SQL queries to validate data, perform CRUD operations, and verify data transformations. Furthermore, familiarity with database schema enables testers to design test scenarios that cover various data scenarios and edge cases.

4. Solid Testing Concepts:

A strong foundation in testing concepts is fundamental for manual testers. They should understand the principles of test design, including creating test cases, test scenarios, and test plans. 

Moreover, testers should be proficient in identifying, documenting, and prioritizing defects using defect-tracking tools like JIRA or Bugzilla. Understanding different types of testing, such as functional testing, regression testing, and user acceptance testing, gives testers the ability to tailor their approach based on project requirements and constraints.

Check here – Test Cases for Manual Testing

5. Familiarity with HTTP Status Codes:

Manual testers should be familiar with Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) status codes and their meanings. This knowledge is particularly valuable when testing web applications and APIs. HTTP status codes provide valuable insights into the server’s response and help testers diagnose issues more effectively. 

For example, a 404 status code indicates that the requested resource was not found, while a 500 status code signifies a server error. By understanding these codes, testers can communicate more precisely with developers which can further help them to fix the problems faster.

6. Knowledge of Version Control Systems like GIT:

Version control systems like GIT play a pivotal role in software development and testing. Manual testers often collaborate with developers and need to understand how version control works to access the latest code changes. 

Basic GIT knowledge, including tagging, merging, and reverting changes facilitates seamless collaboration and ensures that testers are always working with the most up-to-date codebase. In many product companies, it’s often QA’s responsibility to merge developers’ code or pull requests into the main codebase. Therefore, having a grasp of GIT basics is crucial for manual QA testers.

7. Effective Communication Skills:

Effective communication is essential for manual testers to convey their findings accurately in the form of defects and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Testers should be able to articulate test results, raise defects, and suggest improvements clearly and concisely. 

Additionally, active listening skills are crucial for understanding project requirements, gathering feedback, and resolving conflicts efficiently. By creating open communication channels, testers can foster a collaborative testing environment and contribute positively to the overall project’s success.

8. Familiarity with Agile Methodology:

In agile development environments, testers need to adapt quickly to changing requirements and priorities. They should have a solid understanding of agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban and actively participate in agile ceremonies like sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives. 

Testers should embrace the iterative nature of agile development and focus on delivering value to end-users in short development cycles. Additionally, being responsive to feedback and continuously improving testing processes are key aspects of being a manual tester.

9. Cross-Browser Testing Proficiency:

As web applications become more widespread, manual testers need to make sure they work well on different browsers and devices. Testers should conduct cross-browser testing to identify potential UI inconsistencies or functional discrepancies. 

This involves testing web applications on popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari across different operating systems and versions. Moreover, testers should leverage browser developer tools to inspect page elements, debug JavaScript code, and analyze network requests for performance optimization.

10. Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC):

Understanding the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is essential for manual testers to align their testing activities with the development process. Testers should be familiar with SDLC phases such as requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. 

This enables testers to identify the appropriate testing activities for each phase and ensure that quality is maintained throughout the software development process. Additionally, knowledge of different testing methodologies and frameworks empowers testers to select the most suitable approach based on project constraints and objectives.

11. Accessibility Testing Skills:

Making sure web apps are easy to use for people with disabilities is super important. Testers need to know about rules like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and how to check if apps meet these rules. 

This means looking at things like if you can navigate with just a keyboard, if screen readers work if colors are clear, and if the HTML is set up right. When testers do good accessibility tests, they help make sure everyone can use the app easily.

Check here – Is testing manually a good career?

12. Performance Testing Proficiency:

Manual testers should be able to assess the performance of web applications by conducting load testing, stress testing, and other performance testing techniques. Understanding how to identify and measure key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response time, throughput, and resource utilization is essential for ensuring optimal application performance under varying conditions.

13. Security Testing Awareness:

Manual testers should have a basic understanding of common security vulnerabilities and how to test for them. This includes conducting security testing techniques such as penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and authentication testing to identify potential security risks in web applications. Awareness of security best practices and compliance standards can help testers identify and mitigate security threats effectively.

16. JIRA:

JIRA is an agile project management tool widely utilized across various companies today. It serves as a central platform for referencing stories, creating Epics, and setting up boards such as Kanban or Scrum. Familiarity with JIRA is invaluable for testers as it enhances their adaptability across different organizations. Essential skills include creating tasks, raising defects, and effectively utilizing filters and dashboards.

In today’s workplace, showcasing work is just as crucial as completing it. Therefore, knowing how to create dashboards, filter issues, and share insights with the team are expected skills from manual testers in most companies today.

Check here – Challenges in testing manually

17. Mobile Testing:

The percentage of Internet traffic for mobile devices has seen a massive increase over the last decade. According to a recent survey, over 60% of website traffic now comes from mobile devices, with 92.3% of internet users accessing the internet via mobile phones. With approximately 4.32 billion active mobile internet users, it’s crucial to understand how to conduct mobile testing.

Ensuring that your website functions well across various devices is essential. It’s one of the most important aspects to consider during testing. Testing on different mobile devices is necessary to ensure that all functionalities work seamlessly and that there are no issues or broken features.

Check here – Manual Testing Interview Questions

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while automation undoubtedly plays a crucial role in streamlining the testing process, the human element remains indispensable in ensuring software quality. By developing innovative skills such as user-centric testing, exploratory testing expertise, cross-functional collaboration, adaptability to emerging technologies, and critical thinking, manual testers can elevate their role from mere validators to invaluable contributors in the pursuit of software excellence.

Check here – Manual Testing vs Automation Testing

Testsigma is a test automation tool, especially made for the manual team, that helps you automate your regression tests for web, mobile, desktop applications and APIs, 10x faster, while authoring tests in simple English. This increases the availability of manual testers for user-centric and exploratory testing.