16 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
As a black-box tester, it’s essential to develop critical and analytical thinking skills to go beyond just the happy paths. Effective testing involves considering various real-life scenarios and pushing the boundaries of the software’s capabilities. Here, we provide practical examples and techniques to help you think outside the box while testing web-based applications.
1. Look for What the Software Shouldn’t Do
One effective strategy is to identify scenarios where the software should not function as intended. For example:
- What happens if the network connection is lost halfway through a multi-screen operation?
- What occurs at the edges of rules defined in the user stories or specifications?
- Test absurd combinations of rules to see how the system handles unexpected inputs.
2. Play with Personas
Adopting different user personas can reveal unique issues:
- Imagine you are a CEO checking financial forecasts.
- Pretend to be a disgruntled employee attempting to sabotage the system.
- Consider the actions of a child playing with the software without supervision.
3. Be Destructive
Deliberately causing disruptions can uncover hidden flaws:
- Kill the system mid-transaction to see how it handles incomplete processes.
- Perform massive data crawls to test the system’s limits.
- Attempt SQL injection to check for vulnerabilities.
4. Learn from Existing Bug Reports
Reviewing past bug reports can provide insights into common issues:
- Reproduce reported bugs to understand their causes.
- Verify fixes to ensure they are effective.
- Analyze the root causes to prevent similar issues in the future.
5. Read and Apply Testing Literature
Books and guides can offer valuable testing techniques:
- Read “Lessons Learned in Software Testing” for strategies on exploring applications and finding inconsistencies.
- Refer to Michael Hunter’s “You Are Not Done Yet” for comprehensive checklists and testing methods.
6. Use Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA)
FMEA helps in systematically identifying potential failure points:
- Create a spreadsheet listing possible failures, their probabilities, and severities.
- Use this analysis to prioritize testing efforts based on the impact on the user.
7. Simulate Real-World Interruptions
Consider how real-world scenarios can affect software usage:
- Test what happens if a form is half-filled and then completed the next day.
- Log in as different users in separate windows and observe the behavior.
- Use slow or shared internet connections to test performance under less-than-ideal conditions.
8. Accessibility and Usability Testing
Ensure the software is accessible to all users:
- Use screen readers and keyboard-only navigation to test for accessibility.
- Simulate color blindness by adjusting display settings.
- Consider the needs of users who may not fit typical binary categories.
Enhancing Your QA Process with Repeato
Incorporating tools like Repeato can streamline your testing process. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android applications, leveraging computer vision and AI to create, run, and maintain automated tests efficiently. This tool is particularly beneficial for quality assurance as it is simple to set up and use, allowing testers to focus on uncovering critical issues without getting bogged down by complex coding requirements.
For more information on advanced testing techniques and best practices, visit our blog or explore our documentation.
