It may seem like more of a science than an art, but if you stop and think about what goes into software testing, you will quickly see there is a blend of both.
Although this is good for building better software, it also creates misconceptions about what software testing is, what it can do, and how it should be conducted.
To help set the record straight and shine a light on the truth, here are some of the more common misconceptions the TestMonitor team has come across and our take on how things are in practice.
1. Software testing is about “breaking” the software.
One of the more common misconceptions about software testing is that this phase of the development process is about breaking the software to find flaws before a customer does.
However, this is the wrong way to look at it.
Instead, software testing is about working with developers to improve the final delivered product. Of course, there may be test cases that reveal issues or defects in the design or functionality, but the testers are not out to purposefully break or sabotage the software. In other words, software testing is a step toward user acceptance testing (UAT) and, ultimately, sign-off.
2. Software testers only worry about test cases.
Test cases have their role in the software testing process, but there are many types that each have distinct purposes.
At a high level, testers care about usability, user experience, performance, security, efficiency, and speed. And, when needed, they will put in the extra time and effort to do iterations until sign-off.
3. Software testing tools can find all the defects.
In theory, this is possible with unlimited time and resources, but most organizations do not have this luxury in real-world applications.
To make the best use of the time you have, invest in a test management tool. These software testing tools can establish best practice test cases to test software as thoroughly as possible, capture project templates to streamline administrative tasks, and ease the feedback collection process to make the best use of the time that you do have.
4. All parts of software testing can be automated.
There are aspects and phases of software testing that can be automated, but automation is limited to situations with binary results.
On the other hand, manual testing can determine other functionality and usability requirements that require capturing the experiences of a user or nuances that cannot be boiled down into one of two results.
However, with a test management tool, you can combine these methods to maximize your software testing.
5. Only seasoned experts can be involved in testing.
Although there will always be a place for experienced software testers who know how to design and execute tests that deeply assess a piece of software, other testers play an essential role too.
For example, during UAT, the operational and functional eyes of potential end users provide unique perspectives. These testers represent the ultimate end-user of a piece of software, so they help answer the ultimate question: Does the software meet the original requirements?
Take your software testing to the next level.
Although none of these misconceptions or myths about software testing will disappear overnight, having the right mindset and information can help each person involved in the process better understand their role and its importance.
Looking for more resources that cover software testing basics and more advanced topics? Then check out the TestMonitor blog. While you are at it, consider getting set up with a free trial of our industry-leading test management platform.
