Effective Strategies for Handling Buggy Software in QA

Effective Strategies for Handling Buggy Software in QA

16 July 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment QA

Encountering critically buggy software during the QA phase can be highly challenging. This situation can arise due to insufficient unit or integration testing, poor design, or improper build and release procedures. Here, we explore practical steps to address and mitigate this issue effectively.

Steps to Follow When Software is Too Buggy

When faced with severely buggy software, consider the following steps:

  • Communicate with Management: Ensure that management is fully aware of the situation. Transparency is key to securing the necessary resources and support.
  • Collaborate with Development Team: Sit down with the developers to identify the most critical and problematic areas. Work together to create a step-by-step plan to resolve the issues.
  • Prioritize Fixes: Follow a breadth-first approach by addressing the most critical issues first. This method ensures that the most significant problems are resolved promptly.
  • Conduct Root-Cause Analysis: Determine the root causes of the bugs. This analysis helps in identifying whether the issues stem from design flaws, poor documentation, or inadequate testing.

Suspending and Resuming Testing

In some cases, continuing testing might be counter-productive. Implement the following measures:

  • Suspend Testing: If the software is not functioning well enough for tests to be meaningful, suspend testing. Refer to the test plan’s suspension criteria.
  • Raise a Red Flag: Present management with a well-organized list of bugs found so far to support the decision to suspend testing.
  • Resume Testing: Testing should only resume once the conditions for the resumption criteria, such as significant improvements in the software, are met.

Improving the QA Process

To prevent similar issues in the future, consider the following best practices:

  • Batch Bug Fixes: Encourage developers to batch bug fixes to streamline the process and reduce the likelihood of new bugs appearing.
  • Refactor Code: Developers should refactor code regularly to ensure it remains maintainable and testable.
  • Automate Tests: Invest in automated testing to catch issues early and ensure a baseline set of functionality is met before QA begins.

Utilizing Repeato for Efficient Testing

In scenarios where software is critically buggy, using a no-code test automation tool like Repeato can be highly beneficial. Repeato allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests for your iOS and Android apps swiftly. Leveraging computer vision and AI, Repeato ensures that tests are easy to edit and run, making it an excellent choice for quality assurance.

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