Any software or application these days need to be tested to perform well for the users. The culture is shifting in a technical approach and testing plays an important role in maintaining that tempo and upping the quality.

Among the several types of testing like Security testing, Integration testing, etc., Functional testing is one of the most primal and important types. It tests the functions, features, and all aspects regarding the functionality of the software. It involves testing all the potential failures and boundary conditions too.

Like any other testing process, the process of functional testing involves the provision of inputs, observation of outputs, and then the comparison of the actual and hypothetical results. Though it seems easy to execute, it needs patience, practice, and hard work to be a pro at it! This blog discusses 7 best practices to help you to execute functional testing like a pro.

Here we go!

1. Knowledge before execution.

Before you begin to execute testing, you should have full knowledge of what you are testing. You must know the full plan before actually doing it.The information about important processes and user commands is with the development team. Firstly, you should collect this data and test the critical aspects.

You should also be knowing the other side of this business, i.e. Market demands for a better product. A Document should be prepared which will be connected to all the three aspects i.e. The product, The requirement, and the test cases. It must be updated and modified regularly.

2. Creation of Test Plan and Test cases.

This includes all the planning for the execution of the test. The planning should include Goals to be achieved, Scope of the test, Number of people involved, Schedule, Hardware, and software tools needed to execute the test, and lastly the number of test cases involved.

When we talk about test cases, those are input data which is based on the specification of the functionality. To reduce delay and risk, these cases should be arranged and planned based on their priority. Lastly, these plans should be reviewed by the development team.

3. Executing the test.

Finally, the execution. Test cases should be written flexibly. If any modification is needed it should be easy to arrange. The documentation of the execution must be done for future analysis.

4.Automated testing: Helping hand.

Though it is a well-discussed way of testing, it should be planned where to use it and where to not. It saves time and should not be ignored.

In the long span, Automated testing is a great way to deal with things from the monetary side. But still, one should avoid automating tests that are cheap and effective when done manually.

5. Management of defects with the information storage system.

If several people work on the same functional aspect, it may be observed that the defect reports are repeated. Also, many other issues might be faced like wrong defects consideration, incorrect order of issue solving, etc.

A unified information and data storage system referred by everyone involved is a healthy solution to this problem.

This includes typical templates for defect reporting and checking, ranking defects based on priority, and information about tasks assignment.

6. Test results reports.

A proper test result report includes:

• Summary of all the test cases.
• Time taken at each step for each function with its progress and status at the time.
• Details of any new bug found while executing the test.

The results should be clear and concise in the presentation.

7. Analysis

Lastly, the whole process must be thoroughly analyzed. It improves the development of the product as all the failures and successes are analyzed.

Conclusion

Without functional testing, the application of the software in question is merely an underdeveloped piece of technology. To refine it and have a fine product, functional testing is a must.

It confirms the usability and functionality of the software from the consumer’s end. Consider functional testing for your application or else it will directly impact your consumer count.

How VTEST can help

At VTEST, we have a fine team of testers with versatile skill-sets. Functional testing is the backbone of software testing and no one knows it better than us.

By collaborating with us, experience the best service in the market right now with an efficient work ethic and a secure testing process.

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.