3 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
Good day, developers and QA professionals! When your application reaches the MVP stage and the customer starts taking the project more seriously, it’s crucial to make the best use of your QA engineer’s time. Here’s how you can effectively integrate QA tasks into your early-stage development workflow.
Early Involvement of QA
One of the most common pitfalls in software development is delaying QA involvement until the product is deemed “ready.” This approach can be detrimental. QA should be involved from the get-go, testing daily and providing feedback on new features as they are developed. This method ensures that bugs are caught early and that the QA engineer becomes intimately familiar with the product.
Manual and Automated Testing
Your QA engineer should maintain a healthy mix of manual and automated testing. Although the application may change frequently, well-structured tests can often withstand these changes. Early feedback is crucial, and automated tests can help catch regressions quickly, even if they need to be updated frequently.
Testing Requirements
Before diving into the product itself, your QA engineer should focus on testing the requirements. Uncovering and challenging implicit assumptions in the requirements can ensure they are complete and consistent with the customer’s needs. This approach can prevent many bugs from appearing later in the development process.
Exploratory Testing
Encourage your QA engineer to perform exploratory testing on the MVP. This hands-on approach helps them understand the product better and identify areas that may need more rigorous testing later. Additionally, static testing of requirement documents allows for early feedback and can make automation easier to implement.
Setting Up Automation Frameworks
Although extensive automation might seem premature, setting up an initial framework can be beneficial. This preparation includes installing necessary drivers, configuring virtual machines, and deciding on the tools to use. Having these elements ready can significantly speed up the automation process later on.
Attending Development Meetings
QA engineers should be involved in all design and development meetings. Understanding the product requirements and the development process helps them identify potential issues early. Asking questions during these meetings can clarify assumptions and prevent misunderstandings.
Documentation and Retrospective
Documenting tests and conducting retrospectives are essential for continuous improvement. Tracking releases, tests done, and their outcomes can provide valuable insights for future development and testing phases.
Leveraging Tools for Efficiency
Choosing the right tools for testing can make a significant difference. For instance, our product, Repeato, is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android. It simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests using computer vision and AI. This tool is particularly beneficial for early-stage projects as it is quick to set up and easy to use, allowing your QA engineer to focus on more critical tasks.
For more information on setting up virtual test devices or running test batches, check out our documentation section. If you’re transitioning from manual to automated testing, our comprehensive guide can provide additional insights.
By following these strategies, you can ensure that your QA engineer is effectively contributing to the project’s success, even in its early stages.
