QA has become a critical enabler for businesses that are in the digital space. To achieve digital transformation businesses should embrace the latest technologies in their software development process and build a strong data engineering foundation to fuel innovation. In this article, let’s look at how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be leveraged in various aspects of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Engineering (QE), to increase speed in software development and ultimately help businesses achieve digital transformation.

Contents 1. How does Artificial Intelligence work? 2. Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in QA testing 3. Write tests – faster, better and cheaper 4. Requirements gathering – better than the best human 5. Exploratory testing made easy 6. Find system errors and new patterns of failure 7. Re-use test cases 8. Faster decision making 9. UI regression – visual UI testing and monitoring 10. Greatest code coverage with limited time 11. What are the AI Powered test automation tools? 12. Conclusion

According to the latest World Quality Report 2018-19, AI is going to be among the biggest trends in QA & testing for the next decade, and organizations will need to develop a strategy around it.

Adopting Artificial Intelligence and automating software testing has become inevitable, especially to get up to speed on the state of QA.

How does Artificial Intelligence work?

AI uses machine learning to give a machine the ability to learn and respond. AI works with the combination of a large amount of data and intelligent algorithms with an underlying fast and well-defined iterative process. AI is a field of study that includes different methods, theories, technologies and includes several subfields such as Machine learning (ML), Neural Network, Deep Learning, Cognitive Computing, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).

The concept of Artificial intelligence is classified into two types based on the capabilities and its functionalities.

Classification Based on AI Capabilities:

1. Narrow Artificial Intelligence: 

It is one of the streams in AI, that is prominent to perform single tasks with intelligence. Since it has limits defined, it cannot perform beyond its limitations. This makes intelligence also known as weak AI.

2. General Artificial Intelligence:

General AI is the type of intelligence that can perform any task with similar intellectual efficiency as humans. The idea behind General AI is to have systems which will be able to think and react like human.

3. Super Artificial Intelligence:

Super AI is the superior level of intelligence that can surpass human intelligence. It has been derived from General AI and it is capable to perform tasks much better than human intelligence.

Classification Based on AI Functionality:

1. Reactive Machines:

This type of machine is the basic type of AI machine. These do not store any memory of previous actions or future actions. The machine types only work by considering the present scenarios and reacting to them with possible actions.

2. Limited Memory:

This machine type stores its previous memories and experiences for a shorter period of time as they have a limited time to store data.

3. Self-Awareness AI:

These machines are expected to be super intelligent and have their decision-making functionality. Though these are not in existence yet, the hypothetical concept makes Self-awareness AI can be seen as the future of AI.

All the above-mentioned AI types and methodologies can be effectively leveraged to ensure effective software testing. Some of the significant benefits of AI in testing are given below.

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in QA testing

Write tests – faster, better and cheaper

Developing patterns and test cases to test how an application performs is time-consuming if it is done by a human. AI-based tools can automatically write tests for an application or system by spidering, i.e., collect data, capture screenshots and do more. Hence, AI-based testing cut costs and save time.

Requirements gathering – better than the best human

The challenge that we commonly see in the software development and testing process is our human inability to fully understand and review the requirements. The intelligent assistants understand software requirements and limitations of complex systems, which would support better requirements gathering than a human in most cases. AI also helps in defining test requirements based on the latest trends and marketing competitiveness.

Example: To develop an eCommerce site, AI can help collect and review requirements based on competition.

Exploratory testing made easy

Since AI-based testing is trained on the collective knowledge of all people that work in the team, it helps in identifying various scenarios effortlessly. The intelligent assistants are not just used to perform testing, but also used as background tools that capture test data, and user behaviours by navigating through an application or system and recording default test cases.

Find system errors and new patterns of failure

When it comes to analyzing logs, AI-based analysis is already here. With AI, data-mining logs for errors and performance, and identifying the root cause of problems are made easy. Each call can have multiple sub-calls, where leveraging AI can seamlessly track and identify which part is consuming more time. Al-based tools conduct performance analysis as well as ensure the security of an application or system as they identify any potential attempts of unauthorized access to the system.

Re-use test cases

AI-based automation helps in creating well-written test cases and reusing these test cases much faster and better since the artificial intelligence or ML-based tool crawl system or an application, collects its crucial data by capturing screenshots, measuring load time, and analyzing basic UI elements and more.

Faster decision making

In this DevOps world, most test decisions, such as what tests need to be performed and the impact-analysis decision need to be taken very quickly. It means people need to think faster, better and smarter. Leveraging AI-based tools, instantaneous and effective decisions can be made and applications can be tested faster.

UI regression – visual UI testing and monitoring

To make sure the recent code changes have no effect on the existing features is a painful thing. The functionality of an application plus user satisfaction plays a crucial role because for a user the backend API doesn’t matter. What matters the most is the User Connect. Machines can be accurate than humans here, and analyze outcomes of regression testing more effectively and effortlessly.

Greatest code coverage with limited time

AI-based tools help identify gaps in requirement coverage and code coverage, accordingly more tests can be planned to bridge the gaps. These tests could be based on user flows, real-time interaction, keyword, and data-driven approach. Ultimately, helping businesses achieve 100% code coverage.

What are the AI test automation tools?

AppVance: This tool uses AI for generating test cases as per the behavior of the user. It is the only test automation system providing level-5 autonomy and helps to generate AI-scripting tests 100k faster than humans. Also, it is prominent in finding more number of bugs.

TestCraft: This tool is a leading AI test automation tool for monitoring web applications. Also, this tool is used for performing continuous and regression testing on applications. The efficient AI technology is prominent for eliminating the cost and maintenance of the application.

Applitools: This tool is capable to perform automated visual and functional tests across browsers, operating systems, screen resolutions, etc. It is an effective end-to-end software testing platform with Visual AI-powered to help professionals in test automation, DevOps, Digital transformation, engineering, etc.

Functionize: This is a cloud-based automation testing technology tool. It helps the testers to perform load, functional, and performance testing. Also, it uses AI and ML for reviewing several components such as maintenance, test creation, execution, diagnosis, and analytics.

Testim.io: This tool helps to create, edit, run, and maintain end-to-end tests. Also, it makes the testing to be scalable, faster and aligned as per the work followed by the teams. Also, this tool is efficient to get integrated with several tools such as Jenkins, Jira, Slack, SauceLabs, Applitools, etc.

Conclusion:

While AI-based testing is going to be smarter as it automates software testing, there is still a need for progress in implementing the AI-assisted testing effectively for business. AI today merely automates testing activities based on the data provided by human testers. So, human testers need to understand the significance of their ideal role, to be the Automator and to leverage AI-based automation techniques that will shape the future of software testing in various or all aspects of the testing.

For more information on implementing AI-assisted testing, contact us.

The post How AI Can Be Leveraged In All Aspects Of Testing first appeared on TestingXperts.

According to Statista, in 2012, testing and quality assurance consumed 18% of IT companies’ budget that has now reached to 39% and will be 40% in 2019. 

Established companies have started realizing the importance of software testing. However, there is a dire need for technology startups to follow the same. Technology startups often face uncertainties and funding roadblocks. However, there is a great reason for startups to opt Software Testing; and the reason is Quality.

Contents 1. Limitations of a Technology Startup 2. Major Goals and Objectives of Software Testing 3. Software Testing Types that Shouldn’t Be Ignored 4. Conclusion

While a few bugs early in the software development phase might not seem a big deal, but software defects are known to be costly post its product-release. In fact, IBM states that the cost of errors increases dramatically as your software solution progresses through the development cycle. It’s about 30 times more expensive to fix a bug after release than during the initial stages.

[Image Source – IBM]

Limitations of a Technology Startup

Just like any other enterprise, technology startups have their limitations and challenges in software testing. These include lack of budgets, time and resources that have to be allocated to testing. Let us discuss these challenges in detail.

1. Time:

There is a constant pressure for startups to release a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) fast to get quick returns. Most startups perceive releasing their product in the market and fixing the bugs later upon identified by users/market is a good idea. However, they fail to realize that post-production testing takes a lot of time as there is a need to rework on the same piece of code every time they make a change. Hence, more time is involved in finding and correcting bugs at this stage.

2. Resources:

Like every coin has two sides, startups also come with the excitement of learning something new and dealing with the constant pressure of wearing multiple hats. Most startups don’t have a dedicated department for testing, their development teams perform the necessary tests. Therefore, they might overlook some bugs due to the lack of dedicated resources for testing.

3. Budget:

Budget constraints are a harsh reality for startups, and this is the reason software testing is overlooked. Additional headcount means extra expenses. The cost associated with finding bugs posts the production stage is way higher than finding them during the development stage.

4. Thought Leadership:

Often, technology startups lack a Thought Leadership team having a strategic planning of QA activities. The tools to use, the number of resources to involve, the total amount of time QA activities consume and the overall costs are often overlooked by startups. This makes it difficult for technology startups to release a certain application.

Understanding how to overcome the above limitations can help technology startups define their strategy. Under no circumstances should software testing be overlooked or dismissed.

Major Goals and Objectives of Software Testing

– Finding defects in the software to allow a smooth process

– Evaluating the level of a product’s quality and informing the stakeholder

– Ensuring that the final results match business specifications and user requirements

– Increasing profit potential

– Gaining customer loyalty by offering a quality product

Software Testing Types  that Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Here are a few types of software testing that should never be ignored:

Exploratory Testing

For a new application, exploratory testing is exceptionally important to lay the foundation of quality. Exploratory testing is an ad-hoc process, where the tester manually goes through the software in search of finding bugs.

Regression Testing

Testing is not a one-off process, every time a change is made to the code, there is a regression test to ensure the code has not broken the previous functioning features.

Performance Testing

Providing faster performance is the best way to establish a loyal user and vice versa. Application load time is an important factor that helps in keeping your users happy. The performance testing process ensures that the application loads quickly and can handle expected traffic.

Conclusion

When you are a new player in the market, quality will set you apart and help you grow. A simple formula to make your technology startup a hit is to keep your users happy and provide them with a seamless experience while they browse your application. Ignoring testing from your plan can probably cost you and your customers.

TestingXperts provide startups with unique plans according to their needs and in their budgets. Our core-flex models help in dealing with the inconsistent resource requirements of our startup clients. We offer flexible engagement models to facilitate our clients with optimized QA resource planning. This meets their fluctuating requirements at any time of their contract and saves unncessary budget leakage. Connect with us to have a unique software testing services plan for your startup.

The post Why Tech Startups Should Not Ignore Software Testing Types first appeared on TestingXperts.