Software testing is a crucial aspect of the software development cycle. It ensures the creation of successful, high-performing and bug-free software products. Software testers are in high demand across multiple industries and sectors. There is a wide variety of roles and specializations in software testing, from automation engineers to test managers and analysts. With high level of competition in the market, new graduates and testers should be prepared for the journey ahead and try to avoid common pitfalls and errors in test. Test management tools like Testworthy can help testers manage their workflows better. Here are some common mistakes in software testing beginners often make:
The field of software engineering and computer science is a vast and growing one, with new discoveries being made every day. With so many changes taking place in the tech industry, it is only natural that software testing is also developing and growing into more advanced levels. However, one of the common mistakes in software testing beginners make is the failure to keep up to date. Here are some tips to enhance your software testing skills.
Software testers new to the field often feel the need to do everything themselves. Instead, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort by simply reaching out for help. When you are stuck, clarify your confusions and queries and ask advice from seniors, experts, team members and community forums and platforms. This can help you avoid errors in test and solve your problems much faster. Use a test management tool to enhance test case management and collaborate more easily with all stakeholders.
New testers are often afraid of asking questions. They might be underconfident or hesitant to show their confusion for fear of appearing incompetent. However, testers need to be very clear on what is required of them, and asking questions is the best way to do that. Make sure you have a clear-cut view of all requirements and acceptance criteria. This requires consistent communication with the wider team and stakeholders including designers, developers, project managers, clients etc. Testers should be involved as early as possible, taking part in early product discovery stage and client meetings. They should work with developers to understand usability and features, discuss issues, and learn about client perspectives. At every point, it is crucial to ask questions, even for minor or seemingly obvious things to develop a holistic understanding of requirements, limitations, legal/security aspects and other considerations.
Tech jobs are often considered siloed but in reality, interaction and good communication is essential to software development and software testing. Underestimating the power of communication is often amongst the common mistakes in software testing. Testers need to build communication skills for understanding requirements, presenting cases, discussing issues, and working with other teams. Proper documentation is also vital. Hence, testers should work on building and improving their communication skills. Test management tools can make communication easier by enhancing collaboration and overall test case management.
Common mistakes in software testing include testing without any scope. Software testing should be conducted with a specific aim in mind. Testers should understand and test against requirements, but also leave room for changes and exploratory testing. When deciding testing scope, testers should keep in mind customer point of view and required functionality, specifications and features. It is a good practice to discuss software testing ideas and scope with engineers and other team members.
New testers often want to automate everything. This is because they don’t often understand automation. Due to limited time and resources, automation should only be implemented where it adds value and after a thorough cost-benefit analysis. An automation plan should be constructed after discussing which areas can benefit from automation. This can depend on product lifecycle, frequency of tests run, critical and non-critical parts, etc. Features with low lifespan or those that don’t require much retesting do not need to be automated. Although automation reduces errors in test by increasing testing accuracy, it can also be time-consuming and costly to implement. Hence, it should be introduced slowly and scaled up according to need.
Another one of the common mistakes in software testing that beginners make is finding errors too late. Sometimes, testers may skip reporting of minor bugs that they do not think are important. However, it is important to remember that even minor bugs can affect functionality and customer experience. It is better to be safe than sorry, hence all bugs found should be raised immediately. After that, it is up to the developers if or when they want to fix them. Software testers also often delay testing to later stages, which can be problematic. In CI/CD pipelines, the concept of continuous testing is very important. Testing should be done continuously at all stages and levels, so that problems can be found and fixed in time. Fixing an issue later the SDLC requires much more effort and cost.
Proper research and preparation can be a game-changer when entering a new field. By being aware of the common issues faced by beginners in the field, new testers can make sure they stay ahead of the curve by taking action to avoid the common mistakes in software testing. This can help testers save time and effort and improve their software testing skills for ultimate success.
Testworthy is a comprehensive end-to-end test management tool for software testing. Avoid errors in test, increase team collaboration and streamline your testing processes to deliver high-quality software products through Testworthy. Start your free 30-day trial today.
They Stop Learning
The field of software engineering and computer science is a vast and growing one, with new discoveries being made every day. With so many changes taking place in the tech industry, it is only natural that software testing is also developing and growing into more advanced levels. However, one of the common mistakes in software testing beginners make is the failure to keep up to date. Here are some tips to enhance your software testing skills.
- • Be aware of the latest trends.
- • Keep learning new technologies.
- • Applied learning is best, so work on hands-on projects.
- • Upgrade your skills. If you are a manual tester, develop automation skills.
- • Don’t get stuck in your comfort zone. Experiment with new things.
- • Dig deeper into the code level. If you are a manual tester, expand your coding knowledge.
- • Don’t get stuck on one methodology or go by the book always. Get creative!
- • Find the right balance. Don’t try to do everything at once. There is no use becoming the jack of all trades but master of none.
- • Be focused and learn with specific goals in mind.
They Try to Do Everything Themselves
Software testers new to the field often feel the need to do everything themselves. Instead, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort by simply reaching out for help. When you are stuck, clarify your confusions and queries and ask advice from seniors, experts, team members and community forums and platforms. This can help you avoid errors in test and solve your problems much faster. Use a test management tool to enhance test case management and collaborate more easily with all stakeholders.
They Don’t Clear Their Doubts
New testers are often afraid of asking questions. They might be underconfident or hesitant to show their confusion for fear of appearing incompetent. However, testers need to be very clear on what is required of them, and asking questions is the best way to do that. Make sure you have a clear-cut view of all requirements and acceptance criteria. This requires consistent communication with the wider team and stakeholders including designers, developers, project managers, clients etc. Testers should be involved as early as possible, taking part in early product discovery stage and client meetings. They should work with developers to understand usability and features, discuss issues, and learn about client perspectives. At every point, it is crucial to ask questions, even for minor or seemingly obvious things to develop a holistic understanding of requirements, limitations, legal/security aspects and other considerations.
They Don’t Focus on Building Communication Skills
Tech jobs are often considered siloed but in reality, interaction and good communication is essential to software development and software testing. Underestimating the power of communication is often amongst the common mistakes in software testing. Testers need to build communication skills for understanding requirements, presenting cases, discussing issues, and working with other teams. Proper documentation is also vital. Hence, testers should work on building and improving their communication skills. Test management tools can make communication easier by enhancing collaboration and overall test case management.
They Start Testing Without Scope
Common mistakes in software testing include testing without any scope. Software testing should be conducted with a specific aim in mind. Testers should understand and test against requirements, but also leave room for changes and exploratory testing. When deciding testing scope, testers should keep in mind customer point of view and required functionality, specifications and features. It is a good practice to discuss software testing ideas and scope with engineers and other team members.
They Want to Automate Everything
New testers often want to automate everything. This is because they don’t often understand automation. Due to limited time and resources, automation should only be implemented where it adds value and after a thorough cost-benefit analysis. An automation plan should be constructed after discussing which areas can benefit from automation. This can depend on product lifecycle, frequency of tests run, critical and non-critical parts, etc. Features with low lifespan or those that don’t require much retesting do not need to be automated. Although automation reduces errors in test by increasing testing accuracy, it can also be time-consuming and costly to implement. Hence, it should be introduced slowly and scaled up according to need.
They Don’t Raise Bugs on Time
Another one of the common mistakes in software testing that beginners make is finding errors too late. Sometimes, testers may skip reporting of minor bugs that they do not think are important. However, it is important to remember that even minor bugs can affect functionality and customer experience. It is better to be safe than sorry, hence all bugs found should be raised immediately. After that, it is up to the developers if or when they want to fix them. Software testers also often delay testing to later stages, which can be problematic. In CI/CD pipelines, the concept of continuous testing is very important. Testing should be done continuously at all stages and levels, so that problems can be found and fixed in time. Fixing an issue later the SDLC requires much more effort and cost.
Conclusion
Proper research and preparation can be a game-changer when entering a new field. By being aware of the common issues faced by beginners in the field, new testers can make sure they stay ahead of the curve by taking action to avoid the common mistakes in software testing. This can help testers save time and effort and improve their software testing skills for ultimate success.
About Testworthy
Testworthy is a comprehensive end-to-end test management tool for software testing. Avoid errors in test, increase team collaboration and streamline your testing processes to deliver high-quality software products through Testworthy. Start your free 30-day trial today.
FAQs
There are many common software testing mistakes beginners make at the start of their careers. These include not continuing to learn, not taking guidance from seniors and team members, not asking questions, not building communication skills, testing without scope, trying to automate everything, and not raising bugs on time.
Beginners can avoid common software testing mistakes by increasing their awareness and conducting thorough research. By gaining insights on common mistakes in software testing, beginners can learn to avoid them and enhance their software testing skills.
The IT market is saturated with a large number of capable students graduating every year. In a highly competitive environment, it is important for beginners to stay ahead of the curve. By being aware of common software testing mistakes and learning to avoid them, new testers can improve their software testing abilities and gain a competitive edge in the market.