In this agile world, where the clients' requirements changes
almost every day, it becomes extremely important to keep an eye on
the quality of the application software being developed. I
personally have seen client's coming and asking for changes in the
application even after it has gone through the UAT. Having said
that, today I would like to express my opinion on what I think is
regression testing and why is it so important to outsource it to
testing experts?
I would like to start with the basic definition for those, who
don't have any idea about regression testing. Regression testing is
just another type of software testing, which is used to "Retest" an
existing application to look for new errors, or bugs, in existing
functionality after changes have been made by a developer. These
bugs can be a result of functionality enhancement or applying new
patches to existing software. There are 2 main objectives of
performing a regression testing. First and foremost, Retest changed
components and secondly, Check the affected parts in the
application.
Major regression testing problems:
• How to use a systematic method or tool to
identify changed software parts?
• How to reduce the re-test
suites?
• How to select the test cases in a test
suite?
• How to use a systematic method or tool to
identify software change impacts?
• How to use a systematic method or tool to
identify affected software test cases?
• How to minimize re-testing efforts, and achieve
the adequate testing coverage?
Although many organizations now pay more attention to the quality
process and testing efficiencies for new applications or projects,
testing processes for patches, minor releases, and upgrades are
generally poor. This is typically because new implementations
involve larger staffs and budgets with enough time and resources.
It requires more resources to check that any software changes made
in one part of application has caused existing functionality to
break. Changes to a software component could impact dependent
components. All this affects the quality and reliability of the
system. Since regression testing aims to verify all this, it is
very important.
Outsourcing Testing Helps You Save Money & Time:
Regression testing needs are reliant on the frequency of new
software release cycles and the window of time allowed between
coding, test and production releases. Some key things that need to
be considered are:
• How much manpower is required to test?
• How long is the test window?
• Are there internal resources available to
achieve adequate testing?
• Are there space or infrastructure
constraints?
Today, when controlling IT infrastructure cost is itself a
challenge, most of the growing companies yet have space
constraints. In order to set up a test team dedicated to a project,
needs a large amount of space and equipments which is required for
very short duration of time depending on the project. Once the
project is complete, both space and resources need to be
re-allocated. Outsourcing to a testing vendor provides relief from
this ongoing cost.
A testing vendor also has investment in a global infrastructure
which can have near-shore or offshore workers perform certain types
of work when appropriate. An outsource test vendor, can provide
it's clients with an on-demand test process which saves time,
reduces cost, and helps achieve better software quality.
Because a test vendor executes the day-to-day management tasks of
the team, a company is free to utilize their employees to focus on
higher-level tasks requiring more creativity and innovation. They
can then leverage this time to manage multiple QA projects while
simultaneously performing other roles which may be unrelated to QA
management.