How to Handle Requests for 100% Test Coverage in React Native Automation

How to Handle Requests for 100% Test Coverage in React Native Automation

16 July 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment QA

Starting a new role in mobile automation, especially with React Native for iOS, can be challenging. One common challenge is when management requests 100% test coverage. It’s important to address this request effectively without compromising the quality and efficiency of your testing process. Here’s a guide on how to approach this situation.

Understanding the Request

First, it’s crucial to understand what your manager truly wants. Often, the request for 100% test coverage stems from a desire to minimize the risk of releasing changes to the application. Therefore, instead of rejecting the request outright, it’s beneficial to discuss and prioritize the testing scenarios based on risk.

Prioritizing Test Scenarios

Work with your team to add scenarios based on collective knowledge and rank them by risk. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

  • Add scenarios: Collaborate with your team to identify potential test scenarios.
  • Rank by risk: Work with your manager to prioritize these scenarios based on their risk and impact.
  • Implement top priority scenarios: Focus on automating the most critical and high-risk scenarios first.
  • Iterate: Continuously revisit and update your list of scenarios as the project evolves.

This approach ensures that you are covering the most important aspects of the application without getting bogged down by less critical tests.

Communicating with Your Manager

Effective communication with your manager is key. Explain that focusing solely on achieving 100% coverage is not practical or necessary. Instead, emphasize the importance of covering the application comprehensively in meaningful ways. Here are some points to discuss:

  • Different types of coverage: Explain that there are various types of coverage such as unit tests, UI tests, and exploratory tests. Achieving 100% in one area doesn’t mean complete coverage overall.
  • Risk-based approach: Highlight the benefits of a risk-based approach to testing, where the focus is on high-risk areas that could significantly impact the application’s functionality.
  • Practical limitations: Point out the practical limitations and the diminishing returns of aiming for 100% coverage.

By presenting a well-thought-out plan that balances thorough testing with practical limitations, you can help your manager understand the value of prioritizing the right tests.

Implementing Grey Box Testing

Grey box testing combines both white box and black box testing techniques, allowing you to leverage internal knowledge of the application while testing from an end-user perspective. This approach can be particularly effective in identifying critical issues early on and ensuring robust test coverage.

Using Real Devices

While simulators are useful for initial testing, incorporating real devices into your testing process can provide more accurate and reliable results. Real devices help identify issues that may not be apparent in a simulated environment, leading to more robust smoke and sanity tests.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving 100% test coverage is often impractical and unnecessary. Instead, focus on automating the right tests by prioritizing based on risk and impact. Communicate effectively with your manager and leverage grey box testing and real devices to ensure comprehensive and reliable test coverage.

How Repeato Can Help

For those looking for an efficient way to create, run, and maintain automated tests, Repeato offers a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android. Repeato’s computer vision and AI-based approach ensure that you can quickly set up and execute tests, making it an ideal solution for quality assurance. Its ease of use and fast editing capabilities help streamline your testing process, allowing you to focus on automating the right tests and achieving robust test coverage.

For more information on how to get started with Repeato, visit our Getting Started guide.

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