To make sure that a certain task is completed in the right manner, an approximation or estimation of the potential outcomes should be done. It also helps the software testers in estimating the time required to execute the test.

In all the software testing scenarios, time management plays an important role. It is necessary to plan the testing process with respect to time and plan things accordingly. One of the primary things which a client looks for in a testing agency is time efficiency. So, to not lose your clients, make a timely plan.

So, when one talks about estimation, what exactly is it? What is there to estimate in a test and what are the ways to go about it? Well, let’s discuss these questions in detail along with different tips from our experts.

Test estimation – What to estimate?

First, we will have a look at all things that are to be estimated before starting the actual process of software testing.

• Time – Not just software testing but all projects work under a timeline. It is necessary for any project to have a deadline to complete it within and thus estimation of what is it going to be is necessary.

• Cost –Budget is another important thing which is to be estimated. If you want things to be in control financially, you will have a plan out the costs of the project properly and have an estimation of the budget with you before starting the project.

• Resources –Resources like Funding, Equipment, People i.e. Human resources, facilities, etc. is another aspect of a software testing project which needs to be approximated. All the project requirements should be listed down first and then after having a proper estimation report, planning should be done.

• Human Skills –TA talented team with all the essential knowledge and experience can pull off wonders. Estimation of who all are going to be working on the project in the given time and with full efficiency is important.

Test estimation –Various ways to estimate
Below is a list of various techniques used to estimate the software testing process. Check it out.

• Breakdown structure on the working basis
• 3-point estimation technique for software testing
• Ad-hoc method
• Delphi technique for the wide-band
• Use-case point approach
• Testing point and function point analysis
• Percentage distribution

Test estimation – A Four-Step Procedure

There are four main stages in the test estimation process. They are as follows:

• Divide the project into smaller modules.
• Allocate the divided tasks among the team members.
• Estimate the total efforts invested in completing the tasks.
• Estimate validation.

Now let’s have a deeper look at these stages.

1. Dividing the project into smaller modules.

When one divides a bigger task into various small tasks, the whole work ethic becomes much more detailed and accurate. The chances of any mistake become less and the whole process gets more efficient as the responsibilities are now divided and each small unit of work is being looked at with utmost attention.

2. Allocating the tasks among team members.

After the division of tasks, make sure that you assign them properly to the respective team member. Like Development for developers, Software testing module for the testing team, Environment built for the test administrator, etc.

3. Estimating the total efforts invested in completing the tasks.

Functional Point Method and Three-point estimation are the two essential parts on which the estimation technique will work. The functional point method is divided as per the cost, size, duration of the testing project. On the other hand, in the three-point estimation, the three points i.e. Worst-case estimation, Best case estimation, and Likely estimation are measured.

4. Estimating validation

After following the above three stages, finally one needs to aggregate the project as per the estimation in the system. In this stage, thereview and approval of the aggregated estimation are done. It’s the most reasonable and logical.

Test Estimation – Best practices

This is the part where we discuss some tips and tricks to go about test estimation. To get the estimation more accurate, follow these and you are done.

• Buffer time – Always remember to have some extra time in your hand when you plan a project. Anything can happen at any part of the process. Anyone can quit, any technical inconvenience, ANYTHING can happen. It is always easy if you have some buffer time to spare on these sudden problems.

• Reference experience of past –The estimation with reference to the past experiences of the team and the team members is an easy way to get things more accurate. The past project experience tells many things about how future projects are going to be, helping in time estimation, team efficiency, etc.

• Estimation on planning account resource – If you are real enough in thinking about the estimation, you have to take into consideration that many smaller things might o=come up at the execution period and thus you must have some spare days in hand. Timely delivery should be preferred.

• Re-estimation–The word estimation itself is suggestive of approximation. While estimating, you should understand that it is just an approximation of the said thing and not a fixed declaration. A liberal workspace with modifications and changes as per the changing scenarios should be promoted. Convincing the modification to the customer and similar third parties is also an important task here.

• Bug cycle – One can never be sure about the bugs in software even after a software test. A software is to be tested constantly, like in a cycle to make it completely bug-free but it’s still not. Well, one should consider that this bug testing cycle will take time and should estimate that beforehand.

• The scope of the project – The scope of the project, meaning what your project is projecting and how far does the execution and implementation are going to go, should be estimated as early as possible in the process. This mainly includes test data, test scripts, and test beds to start the work.

Conclusion

All in all, one must understand the importance of test estimation in the process of software testing. It is one of the most dynamicstyles that is used in the process of software testing. Going by this method, many professionals would work on their experience to get more involved with the approach the industry has taken.

The process of software test estimation works well on the use case and test case point. If in the process of software test estimation, one realizes that something is not going to turn out as it is supposed to, he/she can make modifications in the testing plan and reduce the probability of that error to occur.

How can VTEST help

In software testing, accuracy accounts for an important element of the whole process and VTEST knows it. We have our preferences clear and right and estimating a software testing project’s various aspects and work towards making that estimation a reality is pretty much what we opt for.

VTEST comprises a talented team of testers with an accurate and efficient work ethic. If you seek a work culture with the utmost precision and time-saving quality, VTEST is there for you. VTEST it!

About VTEST

VTEST is an independent software testing company catering to product and service teams across the globe. We are a team of software testers who are passionate about quality and love to test. We develop an in-depth understanding of the applications under test and include software testing services strategies that deliver quantifiable results.

In short, we help in building incredible software.