12 Myths of Testing Debunked
Testing is arguably the most important step in a software development life cycle. It is too often overlooked and underutilized that it is surrounded by many myths that deserve to be busted. Let’s get started and debunk the top 12 software testing myths.
Myth 1. Testing does not require coding skills
Reality: As test operations have grown to be increasingly automated, scripting skills has become an essential element. The ability to code makes testers get comfortable while preparing test environments. Though it is not a major part of the actual job role, understanding of coding, limitation, and vagaries are vital to write or suggest scripts to maintain, monitor, and prepare test environments.
Myth 2. Anyone can become a tester
Reality: Not all can become a tester. Testers need to be strong on Logical thinking, problem-solving, leadership qualities, and creativity which are very competent skills in any industry. Software testing organizations prefer hiring dedicated testers who have relevant experience with an in-depth understanding of current trends in IT development.
Myth 3. Testing is a women’s field
Reality: Though there is a strong representation of women in the software testing field, there is a mixed representation when it comes to expertise ratio. Plain representation does not mean that a group can do better, as testers in common contribute towards success in their own way.
Myth 4. Testers are the people who sign off
Reality: Testers sign-off represents only that they completed the testing expected by the release plan and not that the release is flawless. Testers merely present the defect percentage in the code. But the story doesn’t end there, apart from bug reporting, testers conduct product architecture reviews, examine the requirements, and provide ideas to make the product better and user-friendly. Testers report defects or unintended outcomes, but when those are non-disastrous, they generally are not acceptable to be labeled as a blocking issue. It goes in the backlog so that the product owner decides and prioritizes it.
Myth 5. Testing always takes longer time
Reality: The testing itself is carried out in parallel with the software development, therefore it is irrational to think that testing takes a longer time. In fact, the rectification of bugs found during testing usually requires more effort and time. Testers usually propose quick fixes during the crisis.
Myth 6. Testers should become automation engineers to progress
Reality: No! Pure brains with good reasoning and questioning skills are good enough to have a progressive career. It is rare to find an automation engineer who does the first round of testing on an app using a script.
Myth 7. Testers need an application to test!
Reality:Not a necessity! Testers need an idea or a design to test not an application. With proper planning and execution, testers can go a long way without an application to help them test productively.
Myth 8. Testers are in testing because they do not know development
Reality: How about applying this notion to a UI / DB / MW expert? There are many testers who are here by choice. Having development experience helps out in harnessing testing skills in a great way. Professionals switching roles from Dev to Testing and vice versa are not rare as well. There are people who love testing and with good reason to do so.
Myth 9. Testers have an easy life
Reality: When a tester finds out 1000 bugs, you can expect them to get big appreciations but, when they miss one bug, almost the entire team’s effort and reputation will be at stake. Testing is not easy but is different. It takes a different kind of effort and sense to become a tester and be successful.
Myth 10. There is no design in testing
Reality: Testing is nothing but coming up with a design to explore another design. Testers follow a design-oriented workflow to be efficient and get things reflected better.
Myth 11. Developer do not need testing concepts
Reality: Developers need to execute tests on their code to make sure that they have generated a quality feature and ensure it is functional. Developers need testing knowledge to make their product more testable and in general help them in increasing the quality of code by adopting better design and implementation strategies. Esp it is a very useful skill in agile teams and teams which use TDD, ATDD like approaches.
Myth 12.Testers work primarily on observational skills on their desktops
Reality: A tester’s primary workspace is their brain & the conference room. Exploration, qualitative & quantitative analysis, out of box thinking, finding new trends, pattern recognition, risk assessment, and mitigation are qualities of expert testers. Investigative curiosity to explore the limitations and capabilities of the product is one important quality of a tester. To be socially skilled enough to earn the confidence of the ones who they try to convince is also as much important as having observational skills. Hence, Myth No: 12 is debunked too.
People who think anyone can test software applications may now reconsider their perception. Thinking about alternate scenarios is not possible even for those who developed a product. Such is the importance of having software tested by professional testers.
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