Despite the rapid development of automation and artificial intelligence, manual testing remains an important component of software quality assurance. It allows you to evaluate those components of programs and applications that are not subject to automatic tools. Moreover, it is the only option when it comes to checking usability, ease-of-use, and compatibility.
What other advantages manual testing has and what the best practices for its implementation are, we will discuss below. This article is designed to explain how indispensable the approach is if you have ever doubted it.
Understanding the Difference Between Two Major Testing Approaches
Simply put, manual testing is a traditional approach that involves using test cases and scripts executed by a team of testers. It is flexible and adaptive, and does not require any special tools.
Manual testing services are crucial in the software development lifecycle. They accompany the entire process from requirements gathering to pre-release testing and collecting user feedback.
Instead, automated testing relies on scripts that handle tests with minimal human involvement. Although it is much faster, it requires customization and lacks critical thinking.
Advantages That Play an Important Role
Manual testing is a prerequisite for software quality and reliability, and here’s why.
Human Perspective on Testing
While automation reduces time, it often misses issues that can have a significant negative impact on the user experience. Tools are emotionless and cannot replicate real person behaviour.
On the other hand, manual testing allows you to use human-like scenarios and test individual functionalities deeply. In fact, a manual approach is the one that allows you to conclude whether the software meets user requirements and expectations.
Coverage of All Testing Stages
Automated testing cannot cover all types or stages of the quality assurance process. It can only supplement or improve the workflow. Manual testing has no limitations.
It can be applied to all testing types, steps, or scenarios. It detects defects that the tool may miss due to a lack of critical thinking. This increases the overall quality of the software and contributes to its success in production.
Cost-Effectiveness
Most young or small companies cannot afford to purchase and configure automated tools. They are often expensive, confusing, and require special expertise, which means additional staff.
Manual testing is more cost-effective. Depending on the needs of your company, you can involve one engineer or several. You do not need to spend money on expensive systems that may not pay for themselves in the end.
Types of Testing That Require a Manual Approach
You can apply manual techniques to any type of testing. However, if you plan to combine both manual and automated testing, consider the types that require a manual approach:
- Exploratory testing: It does not use prepared test cases and is designed to simulate real user interaction with the system.
- Usability testing: No one but a real person will be able to determine how intuitive and understandable the interface or architecture of the application is.
- Compatibility testing: It involves using different platforms, devices, and browsers to evaluate how well the system works in different conditions.
As for regression testing, you can perform it in any way. However, the first pre-release regression testing is better done by a person. This will allow you to get an accurate idea of how the program functions before its mass release.
Best Practices to Apply
To successfully navigate the process, understanding the main benefits of manual testing is not enough. You’ll also need proven practices to get you started.
Thorough Documentation
All test cases and scenarios you use should be documented. This will help you avoid confusion and make faster progress.
Properly Setting Up Your Test Environment
You need to take care of your hardware and software as well as your network configuration. In other words, your environment needs to be controlled so that you can interpret the results correctly.
Effective Test Data Management
The test data you use should be representative and cover edge cases. This will increase test coverage and decrease the number of defects.
Detailed Reporting
Quality assurance is not a stand-alone process. You must interact with other team members, including developers, to help fix bugs and improve the software quality.
Continuous Improvement
Manual testing techniques are constantly improving. Your job is to keep up with the innovations by implementing the best practices in the industry.
Conclusion
Manual testing is important. It fills the gaps that automation cannot handle and is the cornerstone of software quality. It is a basis for quality assurance that can be supplemented but cannot be excluded.
About the author
Sandra Parker is Head of Business Development & Advisory board member at TestFort. A technology enthusiast, passionate about new knowledge, trends and digital changes.She loves coding and managing projects.
