Introduction

Regression testing is one of the best testing practices that is widely used in software companies nowadays due to its uncountable benefits. Using the Regression Testing results in ensuring stable performance and functionality. It also accelerates the time-to-market of software products in the industry. There are the best software testing institutes in Chennai which helps to gain in-depth knowledge in Regression Testing. Let’s see about the Best Practices to Follow for Regression Testing in Agile.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing is the method of executing the existing test cases of the project to make sure that the existing functionalities work fine in the software development process. The rise of agile has significantly helped the testing practices to make the process easier. In the traditional waterfall model Testing, this is the last step done before the release of the software build.

With the increasing customer demands for agile development processes, the frequency of testing the software application has also increased. With each release, the software testers need to make sure that the software application as a whole is working as expected. There are also no impacts of the new code that has been put in which might affect the existing working functionalities of the software.

Benefits of Regression Testing

• Regression testing helps to detect bugs and errors caused by changes to a software application either by the enhancements or defect fixes in the application. 
• Regression testing helps to detect the undesirable side effects caused always by changing the operating environment of the software.
• Regression testing is much useful for a new way of doing integration testing. This new method is quite faster than the old way of doing integration testing.

Use Of Test Cases In Regression Testing

A test case is termed as a set of conditions with which a tester will determine whether a software satisfies all requirements to develop error-free software. Test cases have a great impact on regression testing. If we create good test cases for the software that includes the input and output to be obtained, which helps to test every part of the software accurately and catch bugs easily. If we are testing the software without any test cases then it won’t be quality software. So, the main step of testing is to create test cases properly. With the help of test cases, regression testing helps us to improve the quality of a software product.

Best Practices to be Followed for Regression Testing in Agile Methodology

The Agile testing process has gained rapid popularity with Quality Assurance professionals across the world. However, since speed is the primary characteristic of the Agile testing approach, it requires clear planning to ensure everything’s in place to achieve the pre-defined goals of the software product. Here are the 7 best practices to follow for successful automation testing with the Agile testing process.

1. Implement Test-Driven Development

A core theme of the successful implementation of the Agile testing process is the QA team and the development team working in close collaboration. This makes it possible to implement the test-driven development of the project. Test-driven development is used for the approach whereby the QA team designed the automation test scripts before the software development of the product begins. This eliminates the need for the QA team to revise or recreate the test scripts with changes in the software product, as the test scripts form the basis of the source code of the project.

2. Implement Test Automation at System Level

The Agile approach involves continuous improvement based on inputs from the team and feedback from users. Hence, the User Interface of the application will undergo multiple changes during the development of the project. This can make UI maintenance a very time-consuming process and also more maintenance costs. To prevent this, it is recommended to conduct test automation at the system level of the project, which will save time, reduce costs, and also increase coverage in the project.

3. Choose to Automate Regression Testing

Regression testing is all about re-executing already executed test cases of the software, either partially or completely. This will help to ensure a recent change in code or program has not affected the existing functionality of the product or software application. Regression testing can be an extremely time-consuming testing process when done manually, not to mention the high probability of errors occurring. Hence, it is highly recommended to automate regression testing, so that the Quality Assurance team has sufficient time to focus on other aspects of the QA process of the software, without affecting the planned time period for application delivery to the end-users.

4. Select the Right Test Automation Tool

The selection of the right test automation tool is a key factor while implementing Agile because the approach itself is very demanding as it requires continuous testing for quick releases and continuous improvements of the software product. For successful automation testing using the Agile testing framework, the QA team should choose a test automation tool that is designed for the Agile process. In addition to this, the ideal tool should also have integration capabilities of the application.

5. Use Story-Based Test Cases when Required

The test cases are created based on the product specifications shared from the client-side, which defines the look, feel, and functionality of the software product as desired by the client. However, many times it may so happen that the detailed specifications are not available for the testers. In such a scenario, it is recommended that QA teams create test cases using specific scenarios and stories and get started with the process of software testing. This approach can prevent unnecessary delay and also help testers cover test cases that may not always be documented in the software document report.

6. Keep Customer Requirement in Mind

To ensure the product meets the requirements of end-users, the QA team needs to perform software testing keeping in mind the perspective of the end-users. This will also ensure the software product meets the defined quality Assurance standards. Also, effective communication with the end-users is important as it will help the QA team get an understanding of how the end-user will interact with the software application. So always make an effort to communicate with the end-users instead of dropping emails to them.

7. Make Changes a Part of the Journey

The very essence of the Agile testing process is changed because the Agile approach is all about making incremental changes or improvements in the software products and applications and releasing frequent versions in sprints evaluation. Hence, a rigid mindset will not help when working in Agile methodology. The development team as well as the QA team should be open to changes in test requirements and scenarios as and when required in the project.

Conclusion

Regression testing is the finest software testing process to develop a software project that is quality software and an error-free software product which are most likely required by most of the end-users. As the world is moving toward automation, Regression testing has a huge scope in the testing process in many companies.

If you are looking to become a software tester, then join a software testing training institute in Chennai which helps you to make a strong foundation in testing. There are many best software testing courses in Chennai that makes your software tester dream come true.