What is Agile testing?

Everything you need to know about Agile testing

Agile is a common framework for software development. Scrum teams use it to complete short stints of work, allowing them to incorporate changes to the work based on the end-users’ needs.

But how do the technical elements of software development fit into the picture? Do you need a programmer or developer to ensure the software performs as it should?

This is where Agile testing can help.

When done well, Agile testing incorporates the technical aspects of software development into Agile sprints and iterations.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Agile testing process, including how it works, the qualities an Agile tester must have, and how to incorporate Agile testing into your own Agile workflow.

What is Agile testing?

Agile testing (also known as the QA process in Agile) is a software testing approach. Agile principles involve continuous testing throughout the software development lifecycle to deliver high-quality software to end-users.

The concept is based on the idea that software testing shouldn’t be a separate phase of software development but a key part of the development process. It encourages Agile testers and software development teams to work together to identify areas of improvement in existing software, review customer feedback, and prioritize updates and features.

What are the benefits of Agile testing?

Let’s explore some of the key benefits of Agile software testing.

Provide a higher-quality experience for end users

By continuously testing software throughout the development process, Agile testing ensures that the software meets the needs and expectations of end users. As a result, they get a better experience when using the software.

Find and fix errors faster

Agile testing involves continuous testing and collecting regular feedback from all stakeholders. This means that Agile development can detect and fix errors quickly and efficiently. For example, if there's a bug in the software, Agile testing will quickly bring it to light. The bug could go undetected for a more extended period of time without regular testing.

Deliver regular updates to end users

Agile testing supports a continuous delivery model, allowing teams to update end users regularly. This helps keep them engaged and satisfied with the software, giving them the best possible experience you can offer.

Prioritize features for each iteration

The Agile approach involves breaking down software development into small iterations, focusing on delivering the most critical features first. As a result, you can deliver software that meets the customer's needs as quickly as possible.

Have a technical expert on hand to fix roadblocks

Agile testing encourages developers and testers to collaborate, ensuring that technical issues are quickly identified and resolved sooner rather than later.

How does the Agile testing methodology work?

The following activities are typically part of the Agile testing process:

Continuous testing

Testing is a constant activity throughout the Agile software development process. It ensures issues are identified and resolved as early as possible, reducing the risk of undetected defects. It also ensures that the Agile project team delivers the most value to the end user as quickly as possible.

Collaboration

Agile testing encourages software testers to collaborate with the project team. Testers work closely with developers to ensure that software meets the needs of customers and that issues are identified and addressed early in the development cycle.

Automation

Automated testing tools speed up the testing process and provide faster feedback to the development team. It allows testers to create test cases that run automatically whenever a new code joins the code repository (we’ll talk about test cases in more detail later).

Testing high-risk features

Agile testers focus on the most important and high-risk features first. Then, they gradually expand the scope of testing to cover other areas. As a result, they deliver valuable features to customers in a short amount of time.

What are the qualities of an Agile tester?

For Agile testing to be successful, you need a tester with the skills, abilities, and knowledge to perform the technical requirements and work as part of the wider development team.

Here are some of the qualities to look out for in an Agile tester:

Analytical

An Agile tester needs to know how to identify issues in software products and analyze them thoroughly. If they don’t, it’ll be hard for them to figure out the solution.

Detail-oriented

Agile testers must be able to spot even the most minor defects in software products. This means they need to pay close attention to detail and ensure that all aspects of the software have been thoroughly tested.

Technical skills

All Agile testers need a strong understanding of the technical aspects of software development. They must be able to use testing tools and automation frameworks effectively to ensure they’re testing everything thoroughly and understand the ins and outs of the software.

Strong communication skills

As part of an Agile team, testers need to communicate effectively with other team members (as well as with customers and stakeholders). This involves articulating issues clearly and concisely and being able to provide feedback constructively.

Collaborative

Agile testers need to be able to work with developers and other Agile team members for the process to run smoothly. They must be comfortable working in a team environment and know how to collaborate effectively with other team members.

Flexible

Agile testers must juggle changing priorities and handle new challenges without warning. This means they need to be adaptable and willing to change their plans to suit the customer's needs.

Who is responsible for quality in Agile?

The responsibility is shared among the entire Agile team. This means that all members of the Agile team (including developers, testers, product owners, and Scrum masters) are responsible for ensuring the software meets the required quality standards of the end-user.

To track and improve quality, the project team works together to define quality objectives, identify (and mitigate) quality risks, and continuously test and improve the product's quality.

To track all this information, an online platform like Miro can be helpful. With our digital workspace, teams can easily communicate with notes and comments, keep on top of progress in real-time, and track continuous feedback from end-users and stakeholders.

How to use the Agile methodology in software testing

Now that we know what Agile testing is, let’s outline how to use the Agile methodology in your software development lifecycle.

Understand the Agile methodology

Agile testing requires a clear understanding of the Agile methodology. Without it, it’ll be hard to integrate the testing process into your Agile workflow.

Agile is a flexible approach to project management and software development that delivers work in small, incremental releases. These short areas of work are known as sprints. At the end of every sprint, the Agile team reviews what went well, what to improve going forward, and what to prioritize for the next sprint.

The entire process allows teams to collaborate, prioritize tasks based on stakeholder feedback, and deliver value to customers and end-users.

Define the product backlog

The next step is to define the product backlog for the software development work.

The product backlog is a prioritized list of features, user stories, and other requirements that define the product - or in this case, the software.

With Agile testing, the Agile team, including testers, work with the product owner to review the backlog and determine which items to include. The product owner will have a good idea of how to provide customers with value (that’s part of their job), while the tester covers any items that relate to the technical elements of the software.

Then, working with the rest of the Agile team, the product owner and the Agile tester will identify high-priority tasks. These items will move into the sprint backlog, which outlines all the tasks for the upcoming sprint.

To make this process easier, use Miro’s free Product Backlog Template. With this template, the entire Agile team can easily access the backlog and work together to pinpoint the most important and high-value items.

Create test cases

Test cases (also known as acceptance tests) are specific scenarios or conditions that verify whether a user story or feature is working as expected. For example, “a customer uses the app to make a purchase” is a simple test case.

With this information, Agile testers can identify when the software is performing as it should, when it’s not, and how to improve it.

To create a test case for software development, you need to review the acceptance criteria from the product backlog. Acceptance criteria are the requirements that determine when the software is complete from the end-users' perspective.

For example, let’s say your user story is as follows:

• “As a registered user, I want to be able to reset my password in case I forget it.”

The acceptance criteria for this user story could include the following:

• The "forgot password” link is visible on the login page.

• Clicking on the link takes the user to a page where they can reset their password.

• After entering their email address, the user receives an email with instructions on how to reset their password.

• After the user submits their new password, they’re redirected to the login page and can log in with their new password.

In this situation, your test case is to ensure customers can reset their password. By running this test, you’ll know whether the work is complete. If it isn’t, you continue to work on it in future sprints.

Perform continuous testing

After outlining the test cases, Agile testers will perform regular tests in each sprint. These tests help track real-time performance and ensure that the software meets customer needs.

Plus, regular testing helps testers identify defects and fix any errors quickly.

Any development and testing activities should be integrated and automated wherever possible. For example, if a tester adds new code to the software, automation will instantly test it to see if it works as planned.

This means the tester doesn't have to worry about manually testing the software because the automation does it for them. It saves them time and improves accuracy, too.

Carry out user acceptance testing

User acceptance testing (UAT) is a critical part of Agile testing. It involves testing the product with end-users to meet their needs and expectations.

During UAT, users are provided with a set of test cases or scenarios that they must execute to evaluate the system's performance. These test cases are designed to simulate real-world scenarios to uncover any defects or issues in the system.

Here’s how the process works:

• Select users: Start by finding users that represent your target audience. You can do this via email, on social media, or by advertising it on your website. You might want to offer an incentive (such as a discount code) to encourage users to sign up.

• Define UAT scenarios: Prepare your UAT scenarios to cover all the essential features of your software. These scenarios should test the software thoroughly to ensure it’s running as it should and uncover any defects.

• Run the UAT scenarios: After you brief the users on what you want them to do, they can use the software and provide feedback on their experience. You’ll then document any issues they encountered, what they liked about the software, and whether it meets customer requirements.

After the testing is complete, Agile testers will review the results (with the rest of the Agile team) to determine if the software is ready for release. If it isn’t, the team continues to work in sprints to improve the software and meet customer needs.

Use Miro to manage the Agile testing process

Agile testing is an effective way to streamline the software development process. It aligns testers with developers, keeping everyone on the same page and putting customer value at the heart of their work.

Miro makes it easy to manage the Agile testing process. Sign up for free to get started today.