Agile testing is a very different form of software testing. It exists in the environment of Agile software development. All leading IT companies are now incorporating this concept in their software testing methodologies. In this scenario software testing is not separated from the development phase. This means that the software is tested for quality while it is still being developed. The benefit of adapting this technique is that the team is able to carry on work at a reasonable speed and the deliverables can be sent for quality assurance checks and then to the client in a short span of time.

When it comes to software development it is quite often observed that clients generally require good quality work to be delivered in a short span of time. This has given birth to the concept of Agile Methodology for SDLC.  In time of tough competition it is quite essential that software should be tested thoroughly by the testing and QA team before it is released. As the trends are changing we get to see a great change in the software testing methodology. Agile testing is thus essential for software that is being developed as per Agile methodology. Agile software development aims to tackle issues in an environment where the requirements are changing rapidly so that a well-defined process can be maintained. Let’s take a look at how the testing in Agile Methodology is carried out.

Software testing in Ireland is now greatly influenced by the concept of testing in Agile Methodology. As per the software recruitment agencies in Ireland there is a great demand for professionals who have hands on experience in this field.

After the customer has given the business requirements, a team of analysts and engineers along with testing team discuss the requirements to plan out how the development would take place. Once the planning is done then the team moves on to the design and implementation phase. The engineers start working on the Use Cases and simultaneously do analysis of the requirements. The client is informed about the issues that are detected. Based on the engineer’s findings and personal interest the customer will keep on updating the requirements. While all this is happening, the quality assurance/testing team will actively involve itself in every phase so that it is at the same level as the customer and the development team and understands the requirement properly. 

Once the engineers start off with implementation, the testing team starts working on development of test plans, testing strategy and preparation of test cases. The Engineers will then go through these documents and see that the cases cover the entire application and the unwanted test cases are removed.

It is quite interesting how the testing is carried out in agile methodology. This form of testing is quite different from other. The developers develop certain section of code and forward it to the testers for early detection of bugs. The testers provide the list of bugs to the developers; these bugs are corrected before moving ahead with development. This process is repeated till the software is completely developed. In Agile environment testing is more like a continuous process.

Facts about Testing in Agile Methodology:

1. Agile environment refers to a scenario where iterations are involves in software development. In IT companies, the team of engineers and customers work together to refine the requirement. In agile development it is important to ensure that the software development efforts are in line with the requirements of the client.
2. Till now testers were not used to their complete potential, they were not involved in the planning process and their work started only after the functional development was completed.
3. Agile environment has brought in transparency. The customers now how the software is shaping up and engineers ensure that the planning is accurate.
4. It is difficult to switch to Agile because it is difficult to leave behind the traditional way of carrying out a process. While switching to Agile, the team will show resistance.
5. In agile methodology, the tester is a significant team member. Tester’s knowledge and skills are completely utilized and s/he is involved in every step of planning and requirement analysis.
6. In agile methodology, testing processes have also changed as testing is now carried out in parallel to other software development process.
7. Testing has now become a very common task for the team, it is as important as development. Both processes go hand in hand.
8. Testing in agile methodology involves lot of communication and continuous feedback to engineers and customers.
9. The testing patterns are different in agile environment but the testing activities are the same- test planning, acceptance testing, functional testing, regression testing etc.
10. An agile tester is able to provide less defects in short test period because s/he is testing all the time and not at the end. A tester works along with developer to achieve common goals.