The QA Process: A beginners guide to the main stages, steps and tools of Quality Assurance

Automated testing also increases the scope and depth of tests that can help improve software quality. Now that we know what the QA process is and what types of tests and approaches exist, let’s talk about what tools testers use when they’re completing their work. Each QA testing methodology offers distinct advantages and is suited for specific project requirements.

  • Although the specific stages of the QA process may vary among companies, the core stages remain the same.
  • And they provide the necessary support to navigate the complexities of quality assurance.
  • Now let’s discuss the top features of Testsigma that will benefit the QAs to automate testing.

These tools simulate various user loads, network conditions, and system configurations to assess how the software performs under stress. They generate reports and metrics highlighting response times, throughput, resource usage, and other performance indicators. On the other hand, Quality Assurance (QA) takes a proactive approach by implementing measures to prevent defects from occurring in the first place. It involves broader activities beyond testing, including process improvement, standards development, and training. The responsibility for Quality Assurance lies with the dedicated testing team and the entire development team, including developers, testers, and project managers.

How Does QA Testing Ensure Software Quality and Functionality?

On the other hand, you have tests that are performed by computers, this is more commonly known as automation. Test automation engineers are responsible for creating and writing test codes that simulate user experiences, that can be repeated over and over again, to check the software in question for bugs. Once all of the fixes have been changed, and all planned tests have been executed, it is time to prepare the test closure document.

quality assurance manual testing

Software development teams use QA testing tools to guarantee that their releases align with project requirements, provide an excellent user experience, and have minimal bugs and defects. QA, or quality assurance, in software development is a process that checks and prevents any issues occurring across the whole project. This also includes project management, as various individuals need to be managed when performing QA tests. And finally, QA also guarantees that a company delivers a product or software to market that has the best possible user experience. In the current dynamic and fiercely competitive digital realm, guaranteeing the excellence and dependability of software holds the utmost significance.

Performance Testing

LoadRunner is the gym for your application, where performance is pushed to its limits, and every virtual user added is like a weight added to the barbell. TestRail, a centralized platform, enhances efficiency by allowing QA professionals to create, document, and execute test cases efficiently. The tool boasts an intuitive interface that enables testers to navigate swiftly, organize test suites logically, and track their progress effortlessly. JIRA, developed by Atlassian, goes beyond the traditional boundaries of project management. It seamlessly integrates with Agile methodologies to empower QA professionals. If automation is part of the test scope, this is the stage where automation testing scenarios are created.

quality assurance manual testing

And because tests are done manually, the process is less costly than creating and coding tools and processes. Test-Driven Development (TDD) is an iterative software development method that prioritizes creating automated tests before going into actual production code. The typical TDD process involves initiating a failing test and proceeding to develop the minimum code, which is necessary to ensure test success, followed by code refactoring. Here, the QA process ensures that each line of code undergoes thorough tests, checking for functional correctness and considering performance, security, and scalability aspects. They also clearly define requirements and give a complete understanding of the features and blueprint. This allows early detection and rectification of bugs, saving time and resources and preventing potential financial losses and user dissatisfaction.

The Distinction Between Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA)

In essence, these metrics are indicators that need to be monitored and enhanced to ensure the quality development of software applications. They are applicable throughout the different phases of the Software Development Life Cycle, including requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and maintenance. Automated software testing involves QA specialists writing lines of code to automate the testing process, which cuts the time needed to validate software. QA specialists create scripted sequences executed by testing tools, simplifying the manual effort into a set of scripts. The process includes validating an app or other software to see if it’s working correctly and meeting requirements before the software is released to the public.

quality assurance manual testing

Let’s see how to perform real-time testing and automation testing using LambdaTest. Crowdtesting is a valuable addition to the QA landscape, offering significant time savings and expanding testing possibilities. This approach involves engaging a large number of QA testers across diverse devices, operating systems, and networks. Achieving a mature QA process is one of the standards every organization should aim for. In software development, there exists the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI).

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Similarly, automation has many positives, it can be used repeatedly, time and time again. But, on the downside, it doesn’t quite have the human touch and can miss errors that are beyond the scope of its code. Of course, these are not all of the testing types used in the QA test process. But knowing the basic categories will help you to understand the topic better. Of course, the QA testing process varies slightly in different companies.

quality assurance manual testing

This form of testing involves finding and resolving bugs, errors, and other issues in the software before it’s released to users. It starts at the beginning of the development process and continues throughout all stages — from initial design to bug fixes — until a product is ready for release. QA teams continually assess the effectiveness of existing processes, identify areas for enhancement, and manual qa training implement necessary changes. This iterative approach ensures that the development team consistently delivers high-quality software that meets customer expectations. Quality Assurance also involves developing and implementing quality standards and guidelines to maintain consistency across projects. In the Agile development environment, the software development process has flexibility and dynamics.

It supports testers every sprint, from backlog grooming to burndown charts. Automation testing is beneficial for large projects but lacks the human touch and may overlook errors beyond its programmed scope. That is why exploratory testing is preferred, in which testers will think outside of the box to think of scenarios that might have been missed during automation testing.

quality assurance manual testing

Deliver unparalleled digital experience with our Next-Gen, AI-powered testing cloud platform. It all means you need to be detail-oriented, pay attention to minor changes, and report your findings. Validation of an individual software component or module is called Unit Testing. Generally, the developers perform it and not by the QA Engineers, as it requires detailed knowledge of the internal program design and code. This module covers the same topics as the QA Engineer course, such as SDLC (Systems Development Life Cycle) and STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle).

What are the different types of manual testing?

This includes defining and adhering to standardized development practices, creating clear requirements and specifications, and conducting regular reviews and audits. By promoting a culture of quality, QA aims to eliminate potential issues at their root and reduce the likelihood of defects arising in the software. These manual testing tools distinguish themselves with exceptional usability, robust integration options, and extensive customization. The correct manual testing tools are those brushes that enable QA professionals to paint a picture of near-perfect software.


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