Mobile testing is the process of evaluating mobile applications for functionality, usability, performance, and other factors. Usually, a cycle of tests is followed to check if all the components are working appropriately. But we often tend to miss out on a few steps or approaches. Here is a ten-step approach that you can follow to ensure the mobile testing is performed in the desired flow.
Step 1. Defining the procedure
Before a developer decides whether to test use cases manually or automatically, it’s a good idea for him to make a list of all the cases he’ll be testing. Create a mobile application test plan that includes all of the use cases you’d like to access, a brief description of the tests you’ll be running, and the sprint’s expected outcome.
Step 2. Choosing the type of mobile testing
Mobile testing tools provide manual and automated tests for apps and software programs, but not all tools are equal in quality. The purpose of a tool is to test a mobile application or software program thoroughly to see if it meets customer expectations before delivering it to the customer. Most companies have two main sources for mobile testing: internal resources or third-party providers. Like mobile development companies, these companies also provide software testing services to their clients and specialize in only one sector such as healthcare, financial institutions, etc. Some companies outsource their testing function to a different country to provide low-cost and high-quality test resources.
Step 3. Preparing test cases for different functionalities
The target audience of a mobile application or software program is the intended user. Mobile testing can be done either manually or automated. Still, like with any other type of software development testing, it must first be documented so that it can be maintained over time and updated accordingly depending upon any new enhancements made to the software program or app. Software testers are usually responsible for writing the test cases based on predefined requirements provided by the software program/app developers and developers. Test cases are written in advance before development takes place. Some test cases can also be based on business requirements.
Step 4. Manual testing
Testers will create test cases based on application requirements and software specifications provided by developers and then execute them manually on different device types. During execution, testers may encounter problems in executing the tests that may require debugging, which is another task of mobile testers. Some tests require coders to make changes to code based on the tester’s feedback(s). Manual testing is usually preferred in the initial stages as it is cost-effective and helps the testers test based on user experience. There is always a possibility of engaging more testers that give a human touch to the testing and save a lot of time in performing the tests.
Step 5: Automated Testing:
After the outline is decided and manual sessions and patterns are detected, we can choose to automate the ones which are repetitive or tedious. So usually tests like performance, load, regression, stress are common ones and these shall be automated. To automate the tests, one shall pick an automation tool to perform the mobile testing. And for successful mobile testing, you need to pick the right tool which is apt for the project requirements.
Step 6: Usability and Beta Testing:
Begin by conducting a usability test. Getting some feedback from real users throughout the design stage is quite beneficial. A developer can use a usability tester to demonstrate a potential feature and narrow down the list of app features to that well-liked by the user base.
Beta-testing: Beta testing is better suited to situations where a product is constructed from the ground up. You want to receive input on the complete system before releasing it. Beta-testing, like usability testing, allows developers to determine which features are more and less needed by app users to choose which route the app should take in the future.
It is helpful to conduct both tests to make the user experience more reliable.
Step 7: Performance-based Testing:
Set realistic benchmarks for evaluating the effectiveness of performance testing. Testing the performance at each stage of application development is an essential task. All the features of the application are tested in performance testing. The entire application’s performance, including the speed, scalability, accessibility, load time, stability, network discrepancy, etc. is taken care of in the performance testing. While it’s tempting to evaluate the app from the developer’s perspective, attempt to put yourself in the shoes of the app’s user.
Step 8: Testing for security
This step is of utmost necessity when it comes to mobile testing. The application can be open to many threats if not checked properly. There are various security standards that need to be met when testing an application. The software security posture of mobile apps on various platforms such as Android, iOS, and Windows Phone is the focus of mobile application security. It entails evaluating apps for security flaws in the context of the platforms they’re supposed to run on, the frameworks they’re built with, and the consumers they’re expected to attract. The security tests need to be conducted so that they can handle any kind of threats that might come upon them.
Step 9: Load Testing:
Its goal is to disclose vulnerabilities and system inconsistencies by increasing the system’s traffic demand. We employ common protocols, support system proprietary protocols, systems with complicated encrypted protocols or asynchronous calls, and web services and service buses for load testing. A report of a testing sprint is provided to clients, along with recommendations for correcting issues discovered during load testing.
Step 10: Release the final version.
After everything is done, a developer runs an end-to-end testing sprint to check the application is ready to be uploaded. It functions properly on the backend and server levels. A developer releases an app to app stores if no major flaws are discovered following a series of revisions. If the app has any issues, they are rectified, and the end-to-end testing sprint is repeated.
