Guide to Validation Testing in Software Testing

Validation testing: Building reliable software for the modern world!

In today’s tech-driven world, software is essential for businesses and consumers. As technology evolves rapidly, so do the demands for reliable, high-quality software. Software validation testing is required to ensure that software products meet these demands and expectations.

Validation testing is an essential component of the overall software testing process and plays a significant role in the success and credibility of any software project.

In this blog, we will explore the world of validation testing, covering:

• What is validation testing, and why is it important?
• The different types of validation testing
• Best practices for validation testing

By the end of this guide, you will have a thorough understanding of validation testing and its importance in developing top-notch software products.

So, let’s begin our journey to mastering the art of validation testing!

What is Validation Testing?

Software validation testing verifies whether a software product meets its intended requirements and functions as expected. It covers a wide range of tests, including functional testing, non-functional testing, and usability testing. Validation testing helps to uncover any potential defects or issues that may hinder the performance of the software product.

Validation testing is essential for several reasons. 

1. First, it helps to ensure that software products meet the needs of their users. By identifying and fixing defects early on, validation testing can help prevent costly and time-consuming rework. 
2. Second, validation testing helps to improve the quality of software products. By ensuring that software meets its intended requirements and functions as expected, validation testing can help reduce the number of bugs and errors in the final product. 
3. Third, validation testing can protect the reputation of the software and the team and organization that built it. 

Example of validation testing

Let’s consider a real-time example of validation testing for an e-commerce website checkout process:

Scenario: Validating the checkout process of an e-commerce website like Amazon or eBay

Browsing and adding items to the cart:

• Ensure that users can browse products, select the desired items, and add them to the cart.
• Validate that the selected items are accurately displayed in the cart with the correct quantities and prices.

Cart functionality:

• Confirm that users can edit the cart, adjust quantities, and remove items.
• Ensure the cart accurately displays the total price, including taxes and applied discounts.

Shipping and payment details:

• Validate that users can enter shipping information accurately, including address and preferred shipping method.
• Confirm that the system accurately calculates shipping costs based on the selected shipping method.
• Ensure that users can choose different payment options (e.g., credit card, PayPal) and enter payment details securely.
• Validate that the payment processing is smooth, secure, and successful, without errors or double charges.

Order Confirmation:

• Confirm that users receive the right order confirmation page after checkout.
• Validate that the order details, including items, prices, shipping information, and estimated delivery date, are accurate.

Email confirmation:

• Check that users receive an email confirmation with order details after purchasing.
• Ensure that the email contains all necessary information and is sent promptly.

Validation testing ensures all these steps function seamlessly, providing a positive user experience and accurate order processing in an e-commerce environment. 

Any issues found during this testing are documented and addressed to improve the overall functionality and reliability of the checkout process.

Validation Testing and Test Automation

Validation testing ensures software meets business requirements, while test automation executes tests automatically.

While we combine this combo, let us look at validation testing performed in a test automation tool. Here, I have taken Testsigma and executed a Validation Test.

1. Log into Testsigma.
2. Open a new project (+ icon).
3. Write test steps for the following:
   • Navigating to the browser
   • Verifying the title name
   • Verifying the search bar element
4. Specify the machine specifications you want to use through the Testsigma lab.
5. Click the Run button to perform validation testing.

The below image shows Test steps written for Browser validation (e.g., Google)

Here is a detailed explanation of each step:

1. Log in to Testsigma: Go to the Testsigma website and enter your login credentials.
2. Click on Create New: Click on the Create New button and write new test cases.
3. Write test steps: Test steps are the instructions that Testsigma will follow to execute your test case. To write test steps, you can use the Testsigma test case editor.
4. Specify the machine specifications: Testsigma allows you to specify the machine specifications you want to execute your test cases on. This is important because different machine specifications can produce different results. To specify the machine specifications, go to the Testsigma lab and select the desired machine.
5. Run the test case: Once you have specified the machine specifications, click the Run button to execute the test case. Testsigma will execute the test case and generate a report.

The image below shows the successful validation results, indicating that the test has passed.

The results will also show you the error message(Failed) if the test case fails. 

For example, you can see negative validation(4th step) in the image below by choosing the page title(random text).

You can choose the machine specifications to execute your test cases and run the steps.

The image below shows a validation failure due to a test case failure.

Repeat the process until all of the test cases pass. Once all of the test cases pass, the software product is validated.

Testsigma is a powerful automation testing tool that can help you automate your validation testing process. By using Testsigma, you can save time and improve the efficiency of your validation testing process.

Automate your validation tests for web, mobile, desktops and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma

What is the purpose of Test validation?

The purpose of test validation is to ensure that the test cases designed to test a software application or system are adequate to identify and expose any potential defects or issues. Test validation can be performed in several ways, but some common methods include:

• Reviewing test cases implicates having experienced testers or other stakeholders review them to ensure they are complete, accurate, and adequate.
• Executing test cases involves conducting them in a real-world environment to see if they identify any defects or issues.
• Using test automation tools: Automated testing tools can be used to execute test cases quickly and efficiently, and they can also be used to generate reports that can be used to validate the test cases.

Once the test cases have been validated, they can be used to test the software application or system confidently. 

When to use Validation Testing?

Validation testing should be used to ensure that a software product meets its intended requirements and functions as expected. This is especially important for products used in critical applications, such as healthcare, finance, and transportation.

Here are some specific instances of when to use validation testing:

• When developing a new software product, ensure that it meets the needs of its users and stakeholders.
• When making significant changes to an existing software product, ensure that the changes have not introduced any new defects.
• When migrating a software product to a new platform or environment, ensure that it works correctly in the new environment.
• When integrating two or more software products, ensure they work together correctly.
• When releasing a new version of a software product, ensure that the new version is stable and reliable.

In general, validation testing should be performed whenever there is a risk that the software product may not meet its intended requirements or function as expected. Validation testing can help identify and fix defects early on, saving time and money in the long run.

💡Hear out some important TIPS!

🕯️Start with a clear understanding of the requirements. The first step is to have a clear understanding of the requirements for the software product. This includes the functional requirements (what the product should do) and the non-functional requirements (such as performance, security, and usability).

🕯️Create test cases. Once you clearly understand the requirements, you can create test cases. Test cases are steps you can follow to verify that a particular requirement is met.

🕯️Execute the test cases. Once you have created the test cases, you need to execute them. This can be done manually or automatically.

🕯️Analyze the results. After executing the test cases, you must analyze the results to identify defects.

🕯️Fix the defects. Once you have identified any defects, you need to fix them.

🕯️Repeat the process. You should repeat the process of creating, executing, and analyzing test cases until you are confident that the software product meets all requirements.

Who should perform the validation test?

Developers can perform validation testing throughout the development process to ensure that the final product meets the design specifications and user needs.

Validation testing verifies that a software product meets its intended requirements and functions as expected. It is an essential step in the software development lifecycle, as it helps to ensure that the product is of high quality and meets the needs of its users.

Developers can perform validation testing at different stages of the development process, including:

• Unit testing: This type of testing verifies that individual units of code work as expected.
• Integration testing verifies that different code units work together as expected.
• System testing verifies that the entire software system works as expected.
• Acceptance testing: This type of testing is performed by users to ensure that the software meets their needs.

By performing validation testing throughout the development process, developers can identify and fix defects early on, saving time and money in the long run. Validation testing also helps to ensure that the final product meets the design specifications and user needs.

Here are some tips for performing validation testing throughout the development process:

• Start with a clear understanding of the requirements. The first step is to have a clear understanding of the requirements for the software product. This includes the functional requirements (what the product should do) and the non-functional requirements (such as performance, security, and usability).
• Create test cases. Once you clearly understand the requirements, you can create test cases. Test cases are steps you can follow to verify that a particular requirement is met.
• Execute the test cases. Once you have created the test cases, you need to execute them. This can be done manually or automatically.
• Analyze the results. After executing the test cases, you must analyze the results to identify defects.
• Fix the defects. Once you have identified any defects, you need to fix them.
• Repeat the process. You should repeat the process of creating, executing, and analyzing test cases until you are confident that the software product meets all requirements.

Performing validation testing throughout the development process is an essential step for ensuring that the final product is of high quality and meets the needs of its users. 

What are the Types of Validation Testing?

Some of the most common types of validation testing include:

• Functional testing: This type verifies that the software product meets its functional requirements or the specific tasks it is designed to perform.
• Non-functional testing: This type verifies that the software product meets its non-functional requirements, such as performance, security, and usability.
• System testing verifies that the software product functions as expected when integrated with other systems.
• User acceptance testing (UAT): This type of testing is performed by end users to verify that the software product meets their needs and expectations.

Added to these general types of validation testing, there are also many more specialized types of validation testing, such as:

• Accessibility testing: This testing verifies that the software product is accessible to users with disabilities.
• Localization testing verifies that the software product is localized for different languages and cultures.
• Security testing verifies that the software product is secure and contains no vulnerabilities.
• Performance testing: This type of testing verifies that the software product can handle the expected load of traffic and that it performs as expected under different conditions.  

The specific types of validation testing will vary depending on the specific software product and its intended use. 

Yet, all of the different types of validation testing play an important role in ensuring the quality and reliability of software products.

Here are some examples of how the different types of validation testing can be used:

• Functional testing: Functional testing can be used to verify that a new e-commerce website can handle the expected traffic load and that it can process transactions securely and accurately.
• Non-functional testing: Non-functional testing can verify that a new mobile app is compatible with various devices and operating systems and functions correctly in different real-world environments.
• System testing: System testing can be used to verify that a new medical device software can communicate with other medical devices and that it functions correctly in a clinical setting.
• User acceptance testing (UAT): UAT can be used to verify that a new customer relationship management (CRM) system meets the sales team’s needs and is easy to use.
• Accessibility testing: Accessibility testing can be used to verify that a new website is accessible to users with visual impairments and that it can be used with screen readers.
• Localization testing: Localization testing can be used to verify that a new video game is localized for different languages and cultures.
• Security testing: Security testing can be used to verify that a new online banking system is secure and that it does not contain any vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
• Performance testing: Performance testing can be used to verify that a new social media app can handle the expected traffic load and perform as expected during peak hours.

By using various types of validation testing, developers can ensure that their software products are of high quality and meet the needs of their users.

Advantages of Validation Testing

Here are some of the advantages of test validation:

• Improved software quality: By identifying and fixing defects early on, test validation can help improve the software product’s quality.
• Reduced risk of releasing buggy software: Test validation can help reduce the risk of releasing software with bugs, saving time and money in the long run.
• Improved customer satisfaction: By releasing high-quality software, test validation can help to improve customer satisfaction.
• Increased trust in the software development process: Test validation can help to increase trust in the software development process, both internally and externally.

What are the Phases of the Validation Testing Process?

Here are the phases of validation testing:

1. Define requirements: The first step is to define the requirements for the software product. This includes the functional requirements (what the product should do) and the non-functional requirements (such as performance, security, and usability).
2. Select the team: Once the requirements have been defined, a team of experienced and qualified testers should be selected to perform the validation testing.
3. Maintain documentation: Extensive documentation is required for validation testing, including user specifications, release cases, test cases, and manuals. It is important to decide who will be responsible for maintaining this documentation.
4. Execute the test cases: The next step is to execute the test cases that have been developed. This can be done manually or automatically.
5. Analyze the results: Once the test cases have been executed, the results need to be analyzed to identify any defects.
6. Report the results: A validation report is created to document the testing findings. This report is shared with the stakeholders for review and approval.
7. Fix the defects: The development team must fix any defects identified during the validation testing.
8. Repeat the process: The validation testing process is repeated until all defects have been fixed and the software meets the requirements.

Why Validation testing is a critical part of the software development lifecycle?

Validation testing is a necessary part of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) because it helps to ensure that the software meets the intended business requirements. It also helps identify and fix defects early on, saving time and money in the long run.

Benefits of validation testing:

• Improved quality: Validation testing helps improve the software product’s quality by identifying and fixing defects early on. This can lead to a more reliable and bug-free product.
• Reduced risk: Validation testing helps to reduce the risk of releasing software with defects. This can save time and money in the long run, as it can help to avoid costly rework and customer support issues.
• Increased user satisfaction: By delivering a high-quality product, validation testing can help to increase user satisfaction. This can lead to improved customer loyalty and repeat business.
• Improved business outcomes: By ensuring that the software product meets the intended business requirements, validation testing can help to improve business outcomes. This can lead to increased revenue, improved efficiency, and better customer service.

Examples of how validation testing can be used to improve the quality and reliability of software products:

• E-commerce website: Validation testing can be used to ensure that a new e-commerce website can handle the expected load of traffic and that it can process transactions securely and accurately.
• Mobile app: Validation testing can be used to ensure that a new mobile app is compatible with various devices and operating systems and functions correctly in different real-world environments.
• Medical device software: Validation testing can ensure that new software is safe and effective and meets all regulatory requirements.

In addition to the benefits listed above, validation testing can also help to:

• Improve communication and collaboration between the development team and the stakeholders.
• Reduce the risk of releasing software that does not meet the users’ needs.
• Increase the confidence of the stakeholders in the software product.
• Build a good reputation for the software development team.

What are some tools used in validation testing?

There are various tools available to assist in validation testing. Here are three commonly used tools:

Testsigma:

Testsigma is an AI-driven, low-code test automation tool that helps create and execute automated tests without writing code. It uses natural language processing (NLP) to convert plain English into automated test scripts. It allows for efficient creation and maintenance of test cases, making it a valuable tool for validation testing.

Automate your validation tests for web, mobile, desktops and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma

Selenium: Selenium is a widely used open-source tool for automating web browsers. It allows testers to automate the testing of web applications across different browsers and platforms. Selenium supports multiple programming languages like Java, Python, C#, etc., and provides a range of features for validating web application functionality.

Postman: This exhaustive API testing tool allows testers to create and execute tests for APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It provides a user-friendly interface to send HTTP requests and validate the responses, making it easier to ensure the correctness and functionality of APIs.

Conclusion

Overall, test validation is an essential process for any software development project. Test validation can help improve 

• the software product’s quality, 
• reduce the risk of releasing buggy software, 
• improve customer satisfaction, and 
• increase trust in the software development process

This ensures the test cases are adequate and effective.

Happy Testing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between verification and validation in testing?

Verification checks whether the software meets its design specifications, while validation checks whether it meets the customer’s needs and requirements.

What is validation testing also called?

Validation testing is also called Dynamic testing.