8.3 - Sprint Testing Activities
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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Planning Phase in Sprint Testing
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In the Planning phase, QA is responsible for reviewing user stories and clarifying acceptance criteria. Why do you think it's crucial for QA to be involved at this early stage?
So that we know what to expect and ensure that everything is testable from the start?
Exactly! This helps identify any potential blockers early. Can anyone give me an example of how unclear acceptance criteria might lead to problems later?
If the criteria are vague, we might test the wrong features or miss out on critical functionality!
Right! This is why we uphold the principle that testing is a shared responsibility. Let's summarize: QA reviews user stories, clarifies criteria, and ensures everything is clear and testable.
Execution Phase
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Moving on to Execution. When does testing actually start during a sprint?
As soon as the user story is ready, right?
Correct! This is known as the shift-left approach. Can you think of a benefit to starting testing so early?
It allows QA to catch defects sooner and speeds up the delivery of the final product!
Great point! Plus, real-time bug logging helps developers fix issues immediately. So our summary here is: QA executes tests early and logs bugs in real-time.
Exploratory Testing Attributes
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What is exploratory testing, and how does it differ from traditional testing methods?
It's where testers explore without strict scripts, right? So they can find things that might be overlooked.
Exactly! This is valuable in uncovering edge cases. Whatβs a good situation to use exploratory testing?
When the application is new or when there are lots of user interfaces, right?
Yes! Exploratory testing is ideal during early-stage builds and UI-rich applications. Remember: itβs about simultaneous learning and testing.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
This section highlights the role of QA during various Scrum ceremonies and the activities involved in testing within Agile sprints. It underlines the shift-left approach, continuous feedback, and the importance of exploratory testing to enhance software quality in an Agile environment.
Detailed
Sprint Testing Activities
In Agile, testing is an integral part of the development process, embedded within each sprint rather than treated as a separate phase. The QA role is crucial and evolves into one where collaboration and active participation are emphasized throughout the sprint activities. The shift-left approach allows QA to begin testing as soon as a user story is ready, enabling quicker identification of issues. Continuous feedback is a hallmark of Agile, where defects are logged in real-time, and testing updates are shared to ensure quality delivery.
Key Activities in Sprint Testing:
- Planning: QA reviews user stories to clarify requirements and ensure that each story is testable.
- Design: Test case development includes functional, boundary, and negative scenarios.
- Execution: Testing starts early, with bug logging performed live, facilitating immediate resolution.
- Reporting: Regression testing uses automated tools or quick manual checks to confirm that previous functionality remains unaffected.
- Closure: Testing updates include revisions to the requirements traceability matrix (RTM) and status dashboards.
Moreover, exploratory testing enhances traditional testing by allowing testers to investigate the application dynamically, uncovering edge cases that scripted tests might miss. The QA team must be involved in all phases, reinforcing the philosophy that βin Agile, testing is a mindsetβ.
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Overview of Sprint Testing Activities
Chapter 1 of 8
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Chapter Content
QA works in parallel with developers to test stories as they are built.
Detailed Explanation
In Agile methodology, Quality Assurance (QA) professionals work alongside developers throughout the development process, instead of waiting until the end to test. This means that as developers create new features (referred to as 'stories'), QA is continuously involved, testing those features in real-time. This collaborative environment promotes immediate feedback and faster resolution of issues.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a chef preparing a meal. Instead of completing the entire dish before tasting it (which might lead to problems if itβs not seasoned right), the chef tastes each ingredient as they go along. This way, they can make adjustments immediately, ensuring the final product is delicious. Similarly, in Agile, QA 'tastes' the development as it happens, ensuring quality at every step.
Testing Planning
Chapter 2 of 8
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Chapter Content
Activity Description
Test Based on sprint backlog and story complexity.
Detailed Explanation
During the planning phase of the sprint, QA determines the extent of testing needed based on the complexity of the stories in the sprint backlog. This involves assessing which features require more in-depth testing and which can be tested more simply. Proper planning ensures that all aspects of the stories are covered and that resources are allocated efficiently.
Examples & Analogies
Think of planning a road trip. If you know youβre traveling through mountainous areas, you might plan for extra stops and ensure your vehicle is in top shape. Similarly, during sprint planning, QA assesses each storyβs complexity to ensure adequate tests are prepared, just like planning for potential challenges on a trip.
Test Case Design
Chapter 3 of 8
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Chapter Content
Test Case Functional + boundary + negative test cases.
Detailed Explanation
In this phase, QA designs various test cases that include functional tests (checking if features work as intended), boundary tests (testing the limits of input values), and negative tests (checking how the system reacts to invalid inputs). This diversity in testing ensures comprehensive coverage of potential scenarios that may occur.
Examples & Analogies
Consider testing a new smartphone application. Functional tests would check if you can send a message, boundary tests might explore what happens when you hit character limits, and negative tests would examine how the app reacts to incorrect login attempts. Each type of test helps ensure that the application performs well under all circumstances.
Test Execution
Chapter 4 of 8
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Chapter Content
Test Start as soon as a story is ready (shift-left).
Detailed Explanation
Test execution in Agile occurs as soon as a story is deemed ready, a practice known as 'shift-left' testing. By starting testing early in the development process, potentially expensive and time-consuming mistakes can be caught and fixed sooner, making it easier to maintain a smooth flow of development.
Examples & Analogies
Think of building a house. If you start checking the plumbing as soon as itβs installed instead of waiting until the walls are built, you can easily make corrections before itβs too late. This proactive approach, similar to shift-left testing, saves time and resources in the long run.
Real-Time Bug Reporting
Chapter 5 of 8
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Chapter Content
Bug Log in real-time with clear reproduction steps.
Detailed Explanation
QA logs bugs as they are found, providing clear reproduction steps to help developers understand and fix issues efficiently. This immediate logging allows developers to address bugs quickly, preventing bottlenecks in the sprint and facilitating a more agile response to challenges.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a customer service representative logging a problem as soon as they receive a complaint. By documenting all necessary details immediately, they ensure that the technical team can resolve the issue swiftly and effectively. Similarly, QA's timely bug reporting enhances the development process.
Regression Testing
Chapter 6 of 8
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Chapter Content
Use automation or fast manual passes for impacted areas.
Detailed Explanation
Regression testing ensures that new changes do not negatively impact existing functionality. Agile teams often use automated tests for this purpose, allowing for quick checks of previously tested features. This integration of testing ensures that updates maintain overall software integrity without slowing down the development pace.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a software upgrade to a popular video game. After adding new features, developers run tests to ensure that none of the original gameplay elements were broken. Just as game developers use pre-existing tests to verify new changes, Agile teams utilize regression testing to ensure new developments do not cause issues.
Test Closure and Reporting
Chapter 7 of 8
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Update RTM, test summary, or status dashboard.
Detailed Explanation
At the end of the sprint, QA updates relevant documentation such as the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), test summaries, or status dashboards to reflect the testing outcomes. This closure phase is critical for maintaining accurate records and helps teams assess their testing coverage and outcomes.
Examples & Analogies
Think of finishing a project at work. You would compile your notes, highlight key points that matter to management, and ensure everything is documented correctly. Similarly, after sprint testing, QA summarizes their findings, which serves as a resource for future work and helps the team learn from past experiences.
Continuous Feedback and Automation
Chapter 8 of 8
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Chapter Content
Agile relies on frequent feedback loops to deliver quality fast.
Detailed Explanation
In Agile, rapid feedback loops are essential for maintaining quality as new features are developed. Integration with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes enables QA to run tests with every code push, ensuring issues are identified and resolved swiftly. Automation plays a crucial role in this process, allowing for quick repeatable tests that detect issues fast.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a restaurant that serves customers rapidly. Instead of waiting for complaints to pile up, the staff continuously ask for feedback on each dish as they serve them, making adjustments as needed. This timely feedback not only helps improve the dining experience but also reduces the likelihood of serious issues. Similarly, in Agile, continuous feedback helps ensure high-quality software.
Key Concepts
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QA Involvement: QA must be involved from the beginning to ensure clear user stories and acceptance criteria.
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Shift-left Testing: Emphasizes starting testing earlier in the process to catch defects early.
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Exploratory Testing: A technique that allows testers to learn while testing, uncovering hidden issues.
Examples & Applications
An example of shift-left testing is when QA starts creating test cases as soon as a user story is written, rather than waiting until development is complete.
Exploratory testing can be illustrated by allowing a tester to navigate through the application freely to find usability issues rather than following a pre-defined script.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Test early, fix fast, shift-left to make bugs not last!
Stories
Imagine a detective who uncovers clues during their investigation without a script, finding hidden secrets that lead them to solve the case quickly, just like exploratory testing helps QA discover defects.
Memory Tools
P.E.E.R. - Planning, Execution, Evaluation, Reporting - the steps in Agile testing.
Acronyms
Q.A.S. - βQuality Assurance Synergyβ - representing the collaboration necessary in Agile testing.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Agile Testing
Testing that is integrated throughout the Agile development process, emphasizing continuous feedback and collaboration.
- Shiftleft Approach
The practice of starting testing activities earlier in the development process to identify defects sooner.
- Exploratory Testing
A testing approach where testers explore the application without predefined scripts, allowing for simultaneous learning and design.
- Regression Testing
Testing existing software functionality to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected it.
- User Story
A tool used in Agile to capture a description of a feature from the end-user perspective.
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