Almost everything we do today involves software. We are living in a world where software permeates every aspect of our lives, and the mere thought of a world without Facebook is scary to many. A possibility that most would consider undesirable, and I think this speaks to the value software brings to our day-to-day life. Considering how society relies on technology, software has proven to be critical. Software is essentially a set of instructions that are executed by computers to tackle different problems, revolutionizing how we address everyday inconveniences. Software enables us to navigate cities, communicate over long distances, conduct businesses, access information through the internet, and more. The impact it has on our lives is profound; nearly every problem can be solved through a software product, highlighting the value they bring to our lives.
In an era of the 4th industrial revolution, where the majority of the population possesses handheld devices that resemble minicomputers, it is not shocking to see how easily we integrate our lives with software. With the rapid growth of technology, it has led to an increase in demand for software solutions, resulting in a surge in both software developers and testers. Basically, as software grows, so does the demand for skilled professionals who can create software applications and ensure user requirements are met.
These individuals play an essential role in ensuring that the expectations of the user are met, who only experience the final product and is unaware of any development process. The extensive development process behind each application includes extensive planning, design, coding, and testing. The software developers and testers pay attention to details while aiming for perfection; this approach has led to high software quality and an amazing user experience. This collaboration between software developers and testers is crucial for platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to be reliable, secure, and dependable.
Organizations go to extreme lengths to get their applications thoroughly tested to avoid any software failure as they can be costly for both users and organizations. For example, some software failures can threaten an individual’s health and possibly their lives. Software failures not only affect the user but also the organization; they impose financial losses, questionable reputation, rejection of the organization’s product, and more. For example, a software application that does not do what it is meant to do; the user is more likely to delete that application and not recommend it, which means the organization might not receive income from the application.
The software development process always has challenges, including bugs, which are errors in the application that can cause malfunctions and fail to meet user requirements. Usability issues also pose a challenge, measuring how easily users can interact with and use the application. Software with high usability issues frustrates users who find it difficult to operate or understand the application. Additionally, poor communication within the development team leads to misunderstandings and delays, making it difficult to build high-quality software. Following software development processes such as Agile/Scrum can mitigate the occurrence of these challenges.
Software testing is one of the critical phases of the software development lifecycle. It uses various techniques and methodologies to validate the quality and functionality of software produced by the development team. These techniques include integration tests, which aim to test if integrated components interact correctly, data is accurately exchanged among components, and if they produce the expected behavior. Another test is the regression test, which aims to verify that newly added changes to the software do not affect the existing functionality. Acceptance testing aims to verify if the software application meets user requirements and expectations, and other forms of testing. All these different types of tests aim to identify defects, bugs, and vulnerabilities that may compromise the performance, security, or usability of the software.
Extensive testing is done to avoid any software failure, which is costly as mentioned above. One of the important roles of testing is ensuring the quality and reliability of the software products. This is done through strategically testing different parts of the software, including functionality, performance, and security. The process allows testers to address any problems and bugs earlier in the development process. This approach provides better management of system failures, crashes, and errors that could result in negative user experience, financial loss, or damage to the organization’s reputation. By collecting and analysing the test results provided by testers, software developers gain valuable insight into the software they are building. This is an iterative loop that occurs throughout the development lifecycle between the development and testing phases.
As a software tester, I gained a valuable perspective that developers may overlook. Testers not only validate the software against user requirements but also ensure it behaves correctly in various cases, including edge cases. Users often interact with software without prior knowledge, learning to use it through each interaction. A well-developed software has a short learning curve and good affordance, making it easy to use and self-explanatory to new users. As a software tester, I was able to act as a user, gaining insight into how the user would experience the software application. In the process of testing, there would be times when I assumed a software application worked a certain way but only to find out the software developer had a different view. A tester bridges the gap between the user and software developer, making the user experience better or easier.
Developers are entrusted with the critical task of providing a solution to organization’s problems, often through the creation of software applications. However, they sometimes overlook the user’s perspective in the process of searching for technical solutions, leading to insufficient testing and an increase in bugs. This narrow perspective on the technicality of the solution results in solutions that only cater to specific cases, neglecting the broader user experience. That’s why the testing phase is essential in the software development cycle, serving as a crucial counterbalance to the development phase where testers will thoroughly subject the software to various testing methods. Additionally, developers may face biases when they discover solutions to their challenges; they may be less likely to thoroughly test their solutions.
As a software developer with Quality Assurance experience, I’ve gained a fresh perspective on problem-solving. Now, I can analyse and break down software from the expected output back to its atomic components, which ultimately contribute to the final product. I constantly consider edge cases and how solutions will behave in different environments. The separation of information between the development and testing phases encourages testers to think outside the box and consider various user scenarios, ensuring that the software behaves as expected before presenting it to the organization’s users. Now, I can apply this thinking to development, leading to improved overall problem-solving, enhanced software quality, fewer bugs, faster development pace, and ultimately, a smoother testing phase.
My time as a software tester taught me that each development phase offers a unique perspective on the overall understanding and evolution of the software. Whether it is the analysis/planning phase where we gather user requirements and document parts of the system, the design phase where a prototype of the system is generated. Whether it’s the development phase, where developers write the code, or the testing phase, where testers validate user requirements, functionality, and user experience. Each phase provides a perspective that contributes to the success of the software. Individuals with a perspective from other phases have a better understanding of the software and user requirements.
I used to think of development as just solving problems. I now see that businesses purchase software in order to attain a certain, dependable behaviour. Extensive testing is necessary because of this dedication to consistency. As a result, before engaging the testing team, I fully test the solution that I have created. My testing experience has taught me to take a proactive strategy that guarantees the testers have clearer test cases and testing notes.
For example, while working on a scope of work, I anticipated potential edge cases that the testing team might encounter, such as invalid user input. To pre-empt these issues, I implemented robust validations within the code itself and provide clear testing notes for the testing team. This proactive approach not only saved valuable testing time but also ensured the feature would function as expected in various scenarios.
By being proactive in testing and considering potential issues before they arise, I can create software that is not only robust but also user-friendly. This approach has not only improved the quality of the software I develop but has also enhanced collaboration between development and testing teams. It’s a symbiotic relationship where both sides work together to ensure that the final product meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.
Furthermore, my experience as a software tester has taught me the importance of continuous improvement. I now regularly review and analyse feedback from users and testing teams to identify areas for enhancement. This feedback loop allows me to iterate on my solutions and continually refine them to better meet the needs of users.
In conclusion, my time as a software tester has profoundly influenced my approach to software development. By understanding the importance of thorough testing and proactive problem-solving, I can create software that not only meets the technical requirements but also provides a seamless user experience. This holistic approach to development ensures that the software I deliver is reliable, user-friendly, and ultimately contributes to the success of the organizations and users it serves.
