Testing - Past & Present

Recently, I’ve been reflecting upon the evolving software testing role. Here are my reflections, some of which may be present in your organisation.

The Role Definition:

Historically, the role was defined as a ‘Tester’ or a ‘Test Analyst/Software Test Analyst.’ In recent years, it’s changed to ‘Software Engineer.’ The role has evolved along with technology and now requires a degree of programming knowledge. The original remit was fairly set and involved reading, questioning, analysing and lots of manual keying. Current day requires automation skills for data creation, performance testing, use of API automation and generic regression test execution.

DevOps Process Flow - 8 Stages

The words DevOps Process Flow refers to the continuous momentum achieved using the blended functional pipeline activity performed by a dynamic team. The team will typically be made up of solution architects, programmers and testers, plus other key roles. There are of course distinct activities which drive any substantial delivery. There are 8 core stages to a successful DevOps.

Software Testing Framework: How-to Guide 

Welcome! Today, I am going to blog about the things to consider when setting up software testing as a framework within an organisation with no existing test capability. Read on, to learn more…

A great starting point is the who, why, where, what and when approach. These things will enable you to create a plan about how you begin and what else you need!

Types of Software Testing - a Glossary

It's amusing that software testing is a conversation starter or stopper at a party when you exchange details on what you do for a living during first greetings, depending upon whether you meet a fellow ‘techie’ or not! Software testing doesn't have to be daunting; it can be fun and interesting!

Introducing you to our first blog of year 2021, created by one of our blog writers, Jane Kelly who explores the topic of DevOps, its benefits and different types of roles. 

DevOps can be described as a set of working practices which combines Development and IT Operations. It brings people, processes and technology closer together, which is renowned for offering higher value to customers and achieving costs.

Today we welcome back Jane Kelly with a new blog on Black Box testing.

Welcome to the world of Black Box testing! It remains one of my firm favourites, because it’s a method of software testing that looks at the functions of an application. It doesn’t delve into the murky and technical depths of the internal structure, nor does it dive into detailed workings within the design or code.

Today we welcome back nFocus’ Jane Kelly with a blog on software testing and puppies!

Rather an odd combination isn’t it? The idea came about as my young daughter asked me what a blog was, and then what I was writing about. She suggested that someone should write a blog about testing and puppies, as she has been puppy crazy since a toddler.

Today, I’d like to blog about mobile testing. Like many of you out there, I am a frequent mobile user and I would feel considerably inconvenienced were I to be without it for even just a few hours!

The market is flooded with mobile hand-held devices and we rely so heavily on them for so many reasons: communication, diary bookings, notes, reminders, security and protection, emergencies, socialising, learning, entertainment, sleep, relaxation and so on.

Today’s blog is about pet 'computer experience' hates, ’Better out than in!’ so they say. Let's refer to it as my ‘Testing Room 101’ target list. 

The reality is, these are experienced by people across the board and not just software testers, of course! Perhaps the line of work of a software tester makes them more noticeable or perhaps they subconsciously look for them. There’s nothing like a good rant to get things off your chest when things are annoying, so here goes! How many of these are on your pet hate list?

Quality Assurance - The Role of a QA Tester

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

Quality Assurance is commonly performed within a software delivery life cycle but can also be part of process mapping and similar periodic improvement and efficiency reviews or occasionally as a one-off initiative.