How do you execute regression and user acceptance testing for your releases?

1 Define the scope and criteria

The first step in planning your regression testing and UAT is to define the scope and criteria of each test. The scope determines what features, modules, or scenarios you will test, based on the impact and risk of your changes. The criteria define the expected results, acceptance conditions, and exit criteria for each test. You can use tools like traceability matrices, test cases, checklists, or user stories to document and communicate your scope and criteria.

2 Prepare the test environment and data

The next step is to prepare the test environment and data for your regression testing and UAT. The test environment should be as similar as possible to the production environment, with the latest version of your release installed and configured. The test data should be realistic, relevant, and sufficient to cover all the test scenarios. You can use tools like backup and restore, data masking, or synthetic data generation to create and manage your test data.

3 Execute the test cases and report the results

At this point you are ready to execute the test cases and report the results for your regression testing and UAT. You can use manual or automated methods, depending on the complexity, frequency, and stability of your tests. You should follow a predefined test plan, schedule, and workflow, and track the progress and status of each test case. You should also report any defects, issues, or feedback that you find during the testing, and prioritize and resolve them accordingly.

4 Evaluate the test outcomes and decide the next steps

The final step is to evaluate the test outcomes and decide the next steps for your regression testing and UAT. You should compare the actual results with the expected results, and measure the quality and performance of your release against the acceptance criteria and exit criteria. You should also gather and analyze the feedback from the testers, users, and stakeholders, and identify any gaps, risks, or opportunities for improvement. Based on the evaluation, you should decide whether to accept, reject, or modify your release, and plan your next actions.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?