Today we welcome back Jane Kelly, who writes about her experience as a QA Tester.

The role of a QA Tester is to review and analyse new or changed software applications, products, mobile devices, and more, and to look for defects, or issues so that these can be resolved before a software change delivery is released for operational use.

Today we welcome back Jane Kelly who dives into the fascinating world of Track & Trace.

Track & Trace has been heavily reported on in the news, and it has made me think about some of the synergies with Software Testing. Tracking can be thought of in terms of the emerging path of what is being analysed, where its current state is, and where it is likely to end up. Like testing, tracking requires many different measures to provide value.

That’s not technically true… I’d love to spend time with family, eat chocolates and open a small selection of functional, relevant and meaningful gifts along with a stack of Christmas Pudding and brandy butter and maybe user acceptance test a glass or two of Baileys! 

Test management tools are resources used to help manage software testing activities and make them easier and faster to perform. They help to save time and money so that people/applications and other resources involved in actively testing can use their time more effectively.

The software testing process involves activities categorised into key stages during the evaluation of software quality.

A test plan is used in the software testing process and sets out intentions regarding software testing activity targeting a software release implementation. Releases typically provide system changes and fixes to be implemented to enhance the business operations experience. We use test plans to help demonstrate that a system or product is developed as per the requirements and specifications.

As we rapidly approach the new spring season with vigour, there's never a better time to revisit areas in our work/home lives and look at applying a fresh approach to make improvements.

The same can be said for software testing and exploring fresh ways of being innovative in the use of processes, tools and methodologies applied. The new financial year can bring new opportunities to invest in improvement initiatives and the fresh new spring season can often give rise to renewed energy, open mindsets, renewed commitment to try and apply new strategies and look to reduce none value-add activities.

Increasingly across all industries, companies are striving to achieve smarter, faster, more effective operations throughout their business. The importance of quality speed to market deliveries and reliable, timely, management information is so critical in supporting the foundations for success. A professional review of your business testing operations is an excellent way to get quality, independant support in achieving those strategic goals.

Testing support can be integrated within your business to suit your needs, costs and timescales. This can be at process mapping level; for example, looking at your procedures and at pitfalls you wish to eliminate from your business environment, or it can be at test automation level where test data and or scripts can be created and run in high volumes automatically - even over night without being attended by a member of staff.

Automation of test scripts is particularly beneficial in giving early indication of the level of quality in the delivery and can aid key decision making, which has a direct influence on the outcome for your projects. The set-up of automated testing enables concurrent processing to simulate multiple users, platforms and other important configurations. Test automation benefits include that it saves time, money and can be targeted across the most important functional areas giving you a great breadth of coverage and a level of assurance and confidence at an early stage. In addition to speed and cost benefits the re-usable aspects of automation mean that realisation of these cost benefits are utilised time and time again with minimal overhead maintenance.

MI metrics and the capturing of them is very tricky or hard to quantify as each project is different, so the real benefits are ‘value adds’, which is something many employees cannot measure either through lack of experience outside their employer or lack of training. This is where a consultancy can add value over existing staff rather than incur additional direct costs, which require extra time and money.

At nFocus we can demonstrate a wealth of experience in offering a complete testing service including areas such as planning, estimating, execution, release and post implementation. We also offer bespoke testing consultancy for those looking for specialised support in specific areas. Our extensive expertise and well qualified professionals within the team can advise and support your business on all facets of automation, performance, security, mobile and device testing in addition to manual testing practices, future proofing and scalability. This means we can save you money and that money can be reinvested within your organisation.

The impacts of not approaching testing operations correctly can cost a colossal amount, which can damage your base line profit margins and your commercial reputation. Getting the right help from the right sources at the right time is vital. It is important to engage experienced and established professionals who can demonstrate helping clientele with their testing challenges and evidence valued trusted relationships built upon the successful partnerships, whilst also saving you money and time.