This guide is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about becoming a Software QA Tester. Whether you're wondering:
What is QA testing?
Is it a good career choice?
How do I get started?
This guide will answer all your questions and provide valuable insights.
What is Software QA Testing?
Have you ever used a software application and been impressed by its smooth interface, flawless functionality, and intuitive user experience? Behind the scenes, Software QA Testers are the unsung heroes who ensure that quality. They meticulously test software to identify and eliminate bugs before it reaches your hands.
Beyond Functionality Testing
While some might think QA testing is simply checking if a software works, it goes much deeper. QA Testers play a crucial role in a brand's success by:
Ensuring high-quality user experiences: They identify usability issues that could frustrate users.
Building trust and loyalty: By delivering a bug-free product, they help brands establish credibility with their customers.
What's Next?
This guide delves into the exciting world of software testing, covering:
The different types of software testing
The software testing process
Choosing the right testing methods
Emerging trends in software QA testing
How to launch your QA testing career with the best training options
Ready to take the first step? Keep reading to explore the market demand for QA testers and discover the perfect training path for you!
What is QA Testing?
QA stands for Quality Assurance. It focuses on ensuring that the final product meets all the customer's needs and expectations. This goes beyond just functionality; it encompasses factors like design, reliability, durability, and even price.
Breaking Down QA:
Quality (Q): This refers to the overall excellence of the product. It ensures it delivers the promised features and functionality while also being user-friendly, reliable, and built to last.
Assurance (A): This signifies confidence. By thoroughly testing the product, QA testers provide a guarantee that it meets the required quality standards.
The Synergy of QA:
QA isn't just about testing; it's about proactive assurance. By combining these two aspects, QA professionals deliver high-quality products that are:
Customer-centric: They meet the needs and expectations of the target audience.
Reliable: They function consistently and flawlessly.
Trustworthy: They inspire user confidence in the product's performance.
What is QA testing? Definition
Quality assurance (QA) testing is the guardian of software quality. It's a meticulous process of evaluating and verifying that a software product functions exactly as intended. QA testers act as detectives, hunting down bugs and ensuring the software delivers consistent, high-quality results that meet specific benchmarks.
But QA goes beyond just finding bugs. It's a comprehensive approach that encompasses:
Meeting project requirements: QA ensures the software fulfills all the functionalities and features outlined in the project plan.
Minimizing development costs: By identifying issues early on, QA testing helps prevent costly fixes later in the development cycle.
Optimizing performance: Through rigorous testing, QA helps streamline software performance, leading to a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
In essence, QA testing is the quality check a software undergoes before it reaches your device. It's a crucial step that ensures a smooth, bug-free experience for the end user.
The Importance of Software QA Testing
Software quality assurance is critical for any project's success & brand reputation. As quality assurance is an essential part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), it aims to deliver high-quality well implemented, well-performing software free from bugs, glitches, or other issues while meeting the defined project requirements. A small malfunction in software can lead to degrading interconnected systems or cause serious malfunctions, losses, and major consequences for your company’s reputation and its ability to retain users.
Let’s take a look at some points and see how QA software testing ensures a high-quality end product.
Reduce Cost-Effective QA testing removes as many bugs as possible in the early stages of development, thus reducing long-run debugging costs.
Bring profit- Software testing heightens the Return on Investment by ensuring good quality.
Build brand reputation- High-quality and efficient bug & defects-free software, resulting in great user experience, client satisfaction, and good word-of-mouth.
Hope this section helps you gain visibility in terms of software quality assurance testing and why it is critical for business growth. Learn various fundamental testing concepts at JanBask Training by registering yourself TODAY!
What About Market Demand For Software QA Testers?
The software testing industry is booming, with the market exceeding $40 billion in 2020 and a projected CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8% from 2021 to 2027 according to Global Market Insights. This rapid growth translates to high demand for skilled QA testers, making it a dynamic and potentially demanding career path.
You might be wondering, "Is QA testing a good career choice?" It offers a unique blend of challenge and satisfaction, with excellent growth potential. In today's digital age, QA testers play a critical role in ensuring the quality of everything software-driven. This growing demand is a major reason why many people are pursuing QA certification courses to become qualified professionals and stand out to recruiters.
Software QA testing Methodology & Types Of Testing
Quality assurance (QA) testing methodology should ideally combine both automated testing and manual testing. The key is to determine which type of testing method is most relevant for each aspect and stage of the product.
In manual testing (as the name suggests), test cases are executed manually by a human, without any support from tools or scripts. But Automated testing is done through an automation tool, test cases are executed with the assistance of tools, scripts, and software. Automation testing is much more robust and reliable than manual tests, as it reduces the chances of manual errors.
Types Of Software QA Testing
While exploring what is software quality assurance testing, you must know even a simple application can be subject to a large number and variety of tests to assure its quality. A test management plan helps you prioritize which types of testing provide the most value – with available time and resources. QA software testing effectiveness is optimized by running the fewest number of tests to find the largest number of defects to come up with a bug-free end product.
Let’s explore a few other different types of software testing, each with a specific purpose and strategies
Acceptance testing: Verifying whether the whole system and its functions work as intended.
Integration testing: Ensuring that all software components or functions operate together fluently.
Unit testing: Validating that each software unit(a smallest testable component of an application) performs as expected to perform.
Functional testing: Validate whether each application feature works as per the software requirements.
Performance testing: It test how the software performs under different workloads. Load testing, for example, is used to evaluate software performance under real-life heavy load conditions.
Regression testing: It checks whether any new features break or degrade functionality. Sanity testing can be used to verify menus, functions, and commands at the surface level when there is no time for a full regression test.
Stress testing: Testing how much strain the system can take before it fails. Considered to be a type of non-functional testing.
Usability testing: Validating how efficiently a customer can use a system or web application to complete a task.
Smoke testing: Smoke tests are basic tests that check basic functionality of the application is working as expected.
An individual can execute all the tests mentioned above, more depends on the project requirement.
If you wish to grow a career in software QA testing, looking to explore what is quality assurance testing in software, then you must explore a little bit about how the software testing process works. Or else register yourself at JanBask Training for Software Testing Tutorial.
How Does The Software Testing Process Work?
Here is the experienced practical approach to the software testing process to approach a solution to test assignments.
These are explained as follows.
Step-1: Assess Development Plan
During this step, testers challenge the validation of the event plan. Based on the verification of the Project Plan testers can estimate the number of resources they’re going to use to test implemented software solution.
Step-2: Develop the Test Plan
Forming the Test Plan refers to a detailed document that catalogs the test strategy, objectives, schedule, estimations, deadlines, and the available resources required for completing that particular project within the given timeline
Step-3: Test Software Requirements
An incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent requirements could be a great cause most software failures & increase cost of implementation significantly. At this stage, testers through verification determine that requirements are accurate and complete, and they do not conflict with one another.
Step-4: Test Software Design
This step tests both external and internal design for ensuring that the test plan will achieve the objectives of wants & make sure the design is effective and efficient on designated hardware through verification techniques.
Step-5: Build Phase Testing
This phase is used to determine the type and extensiveness of testers needed. However, if the software is made using the waterfall model, it’s subject to error and will be verified. To get in depth knowledge about the Software testing process don’t forget to go through QA Testing Tutorial Video on YouTube!
Step-6: Execute and Record the Result
This stage involves testing of code during the dynamic state to validate that executable code actually meets stated software requirements, and is in line with the structural specifications of the design.
Step-7: Acceptance Test
Acceptance testing enables users to gauge the applicability and usefulness of software s against what documented requirements state software should perform.
Step-8: Report Test Results
Test reporting is a continuous process throughout the software QA testing. It may be both oral and written. Defects and concerns must be reported to the appropriate parties at earlier stages so that corrections can be made sooner at the lowest possible cost.
Step-9: The Software Installation
Once the test team has confirmed that the software is ready to release for production use, the power to execute that software during the production environment should be tested with operating software, related software, and operating procedures.
Step-10: Software Maintenance
In this stage, the context is to perform maintenance after the software is implemented. Whenever there is a change in requirements, the test plan must change, and the impact of that change on software systems must be tested and evaluated as per project needs.
Step-11: Evaluate Test Effectiveness
Testing improvement can best be achieved by evaluating the effectiveness of software test assignments & their performance. While this assessment is primarily performed by testers, it should involve developers, quality assurance professionals, and software end-users.
This is the standard way the whole software testing process works, the rest depends on the organization and project requirements. Moreover, to know the level of your preparations you can now play QA Software Testing Quiz and get a reality check!
Hot Trends Shaping The Future Of Software QA Testing: What is QA Testing Guide
In this ever-evolving digital era, there is a strong need to adapt the latest testing trends essential to adapt to the requirements of the modern world. Watch out for these Top Software Testing Trends that one should anticipate for long-lasting business growth.
Artificial Intelligence
In an attempt to make the applications foolproof, the world is turning toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) based testing. AI-based testing is a software testing technique in which AI and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are used to effectively test a software product to ensure maximum precision and accuracy. The objective of AI-based testing is to make the testing process smarter, highly efficient, and effective.
Agile and DevOps
Organizations have embraced Agile methodology as a response to rapidly changing requirements and DevOps as a response to the demand for speed. DevOps involves practices, rules, processes, and tools that help to integrate development and operation activities to shorten the software lifecycles from development to delivery and operation. DevOps & Agile has become a widely accepted approach that helps teams to develop and deliver quality software faster.
Test Automation
To implement DevOps practices effectively, software teams cannot ignore test automation as it is considered to be an important bottleneck of DevOps. Given the popularity of DevOps and the fact that test automation is underutilized, only less than 20% of testing is automated, so there is a lot of room to increase the adoption of test automation in organizations. For adapting test automation one can leverage popular automation tools such as Selenium, Katalon, and TestComplete with advanced features that make automation much easier and more effective too.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Advanced and emerging technologies, such as Artificial intelligence (AI), Machine learning, cognitive computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are revolutionizing all industries. Evolving software development and the AI world have paved the way for Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA is the most recent technology which can reinvent the entire business process management landscape. Though RPA is not very specific to development, testing or QA, it is relevant to the essential departments.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the next-generation infrastructure management technology that describes the specification of required infrastructure (VMs, storage, networking) and transforms the way we manage IT infrastructure. IaC relies on modern cloud technologies and enables a high degree of automation, which can be easily adapted, implemented, duplicated, deleted, and versioned.
Pen-Testing-as-a-Service (PTaaS)
Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is a cloud service that provides information technology (IT) professionals with the resources they need to conduct and act upon point-in-time and continuous penetration tests. The PTaaS methodology involves a continuous cycle of tests, that remediate, and validates the entire platform stack.
Along with these advanced trends, there are testing techniques like Selenium, Katalon, TestComplete, and Kobiton which possess the potential to address the challenges in software testing. Keeping up with these trends would allow QA testing professionals, organizations, and teams to stay ahead of the curve.
How to Start QA Testing Career? Prerequisites/Skills/ Certifications/Salary/ Training
Following certain prerequisites, you can start with learning basic principles of software testing and join accredited training by joining a professional QA training course. Once you are done with that you apply for internships or freelance jobs. This will help you gain practical knowledge and real-time experience that will fortify the testing concepts you have learned.
Have a quick look at what is QA testing prerequisites, before starting a QA testing career.
A bachelor's degree in BTech/ B.E., MCA, BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications), BSc- Computer science, engineering, or related field.
Working knowledge of test management software, programming languages, and QA methodologies.
2 years' work experience in QA testing.
Good team working and critical thinking ability.
Since you are on the way to exploring what QA software testing is, it's good for you to have a look at what quality assurance testing certifications to grow with. Or Join our Software QA testing Community and enhance your knowledge by getting every answer to your queries.
Top Quality Assurance Certifications
Attaining certification in QA software testing is imperative not only for personal knowledge & career boost but also for maintaining consistent quality in the industry. Here are the 5 top Quality Assurance certifications you can go for a successful QA career.
Certified Test Engineer (CSTE)
Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
CMSQ (Certified Manager of Software Quality)
ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)
Let’s move on and explore what is software quality assurance testing skills are most needed for a successful QA testing career.
Read - Go through Top QA Interview Questions to ace your preparation for top quality assurance certifications.
Essential Skills required to become a Software Tester
Here are the skills that are essential to becoming a good & successful Software quality tester.
Non-Technical Skills
Sharp analytical skills
Good verbal and written communication skills
Time Management & Organization Skills
Willingness to learn and suggest process improvements
Proficiency and hands-on experience of a Test Management Tool- like Testlink can be used for tracking all the test cases written by your team.
Knowledge and hands-on experience of any Defect Tracking tool- including QC, Bugzilla, Jira, etc.
Knowledge and hands-on experience of Automation tools
Knowledge of any scripting language like VBScript, JavaScript, C#, or Ruby
There is a lot of demand for testers knowing all these skills. Rest, it will depend on the company and project requirements. For example, a Few companies also use Shell/Perl scripting so it is subjective to prospective scenarios, all you need to be passionate about is learning and breaking the code.
Next, we are going to explore, what is QA testing salaries that one can make as a QA tester.
QA Tester Salaries (As Per Top Job Portals)
There is no fixed salary number when it comes to QA software tester salaries, as QA tester’s salary varies based on many factors- experience, location, specialty, organizations, and project requirements. Still to help you get an estimate we have gathered data from a few most reliable top job portals.
QA Tester's average salary in the USA- $78,000/ year as per (talent.com)
Hope these salaries packages help you get clear that you can start your QA career with a good salary package and with growing experience in software QA testing you can earn a more handsome salary.
Training for QA Tester At JanBask Training
QA testing training course at JanBask Training will help you to master the software testing concepts like test case development, different types of testing, software testing methodologies, test case design techniques, different levels of testing, testing environment, and testing tools, etc. You will also work on real-time projects to gain relevant skills and experience that can change your career graph.
None of the organizations want to pass threw major consequences for your company’s reputation and its ability to retain users due to malfunctioning any software. Because software is something thing that can be corrected, and build again soon but the brand image is much above that and it depends on how efficient your company’s quality assurance process is? That’s the reason QAs is among the most demanding profile and organization are rushed to pay heavy checks if you have the right skill and mindset
QA is one of the well-paid profile with nice career opportunities, and rarely suffer from professional burnout due to the key features of their work & growing industry requirement. Moreover, the QA testing training is quite affordable and accessible at any time. A tester is a multifunctional specialist, and companies appreciate good QAs for their crucial role & responsibilities.
If you want to be the driver of digital transformation by acquiring a successful QA career path, it's high time for you. Join a professional QA training from a leading industry expert like JanBask Training, and hone the right skills and certification to stay ahead of the curve.
Are there any other interesting Software Testing Trends that you foresee in 2022? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!!
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