You're facing tight deadlines for software testing. How can you ensure quality doesn't suffer?

I would start by identifying High-Risk Areas to determine which parts are most likely to fail and have the greatest impact. I would then focus on functionalities that are crucial to the business. Once im done with that, I would prioritize features that directly affect user experience. And finally, I would test features that are frequently used users and are likely to be noticed quickly.

To ensure quality standards are maintained, careful planning and prioritization are necessary when facing tight deadlines for software testing. To avoid quality issues during tight deadlines, we need to ensure a few strategies. Prioritizing testing activities, identifying risks, conducting parallel testing, implementing automation to prevent repeated testing, and maintaining exit and entry criteria. To prioritize efforts, it is important to maintain open communication between all stakeholders.

I always go for adhoc testing to test core systems 1st with the history of previous cycle results & trends etc etc to make sure that I have covered all most all the areas of core functionalities. Trends:- 1. 20% Pass & Fail Tcs. 2. 20% Regression Tcs. 3. 20% integration Tcs. 4. 20% performance Tcs. 5. 20% Security Tcs.

To ensure quality under tight deadlines this steps can be taken : 1. Prioritise critical tests : Focus on high-impact areas. 2. Automate repetitive tasks : Save time with automated tests. 3. Continuous Integration : Run tests with every code change. 4. Risk-based approach : Test high-risk areas first. 5. Efficient communication : Keep clear communication within the team. 6. Use test management tools : Streamline and track testing efforts. 7. Perform exploratory testing : Quickly identify issues without formal test scripts.

First of all, figuring out and focusing on the most important and high- risk areas that would be used by the users the most, is essential when there is time crunch. Example: Any mathematical calculations and payment related functionalities in a banking or e-commerce website. Another aspect could be to automate the critical and repetitive functionalities that consume more time in manual testing. This could be effective only if automation is introduced from beginning as on later stage it could be a overhead to start from scratch. Maintaining good communication with clients for the feedback is one of the major aspects as it could clear any doubts and loopholes in the requirement that could reduce the risk of bugs and cost later.

Automate Regression Tests: Implement automation for repetitive and time-consuming regression tests. This saves time and ensures consistent execution of tests.

Automation can significantly speed up testing processes, especially for repetitive tasks. Focus on automating stable parts of the application that don't change frequently. This frees up time for manual testing of more complex scenarios or new features. However, be careful not to spend too much time setting up automation for tests that will only be run once or twice.

Yhe benefit of yest automation is that it increases testing speed and it also creates eadily improvable and very repeatable test quality.

Implement Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing: Use CI/CD pipelines to integrate code frequently and run automated tests with each integration. Early detection of defects helps in addressing issues promptly. Adopt Agile Testing Practices: Integrate testing into the development process by involving testers early in the lifecycle. Use iterative development to test small, manageable chunks of the application. Use Exploratory Testing: Allocate time for exploratory testing to discover defects that automated tests might miss. Encourage testers to use their creativity and experience to find issues.

Always select scenarios and group them in such a way that, with a few flows, we can cover as many scenarios as possible for execution. this always increase the coverage and is always helpful when we have very tight schedule

Breaking down complex test cases into smaller, more manageable units makes testing more efficient. It allows for quicker execution and easier troubleshooting when issues arise. Simplified scenarios are also easier to document and reproduce, which can be crucial when working under tight deadlines.

Performing unit tests as you complete user stories, instead of waiting for the entire feature to be finished, can significantly enhance your development process. This will help you to detect problems earlier and ensure each part works correctly before integration. One way to do this is to develop a test case for each part of the feature, knowing the expected result in advance. This ensures each component works as intended before full integration.

Effective Communication and Collaboration: Foster close collaboration between developers, testers, and business stakeholders. Regularly communicate testing progress, risks, and issues to manage expectations. Leverage Test Management Tools: Use tools to manage test cases, track defects, and report testing progress efficiently. This helps in maintaining an organized and transparent testing process. Optimize Test Environment and Data: Ensure that the test environment is stable and as close to production as possible. Use realistic and representative test data to uncover potential issues.

Identify and prioritize the most critical areas of the application that impact core functionality and user experience. Encourage cross-functional team collaboration, involving developers, QA, and product owners in the testing process.

Involving developers, product managers, and other stakeholders in the testing process can provide valuable insights. They can help identify critical areas to test and potential issues to look out for. This collaborative approach can also lead to faster bug fixes and more efficient use of testing time.

Always keep Team members informed and up-to-date in such way that, if required, we always have possibility to take help from other QAs who are not directly involved in execution.

Always be quick on the demo side. my approach is to complete one test iteration, log issues, do demo with stakeholders, and get feedback in early stage. it will allow every one to understand the system, get idea of operational issues, and make time for improvements

Parallel Testing: Conduct parallel testing to run different tests simultaneously, saving time and increasing coverage. Utilize cloud-based testing platforms to scale testing efforts as needed. Utilize Pair Testing: Pair testers with developers to perform joint testing sessions. This can help in faster identification and resolution of defects.

Implementing rapid feedback loops means quickly communicating any issues or bugs found during testing. This allows for faster fixes and retesting, preventing bottlenecks near the end of the testing cycle. Continuous feedback also helps the development team address issues while they're still fresh in their minds.

To ensure quality under tight deadlines, prioritize critical functionalities and high-risk areas, focusing testing efforts there. Implement automated testing to speed up repetitive tasks and ensure consistent regression checks. Use agile and DevOps practices, like CI/CD pipelines, for continuous integration and deployment. Foster effective communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams. Utilize test management and performance testing tools for efficient tracking and analysis. Conduct parallel and exploratory testing to uncover issues quickly. Finally, post-release monitoring and continuous improvement through feedback loops help catch and resolve any missed defects.

Perform Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Continuously assess risks and have mitigation strategies in place. Adjust testing focus based on evolving risk assessment. Conduct Regular Retrospectives: After each sprint or testing cycle, conduct retrospectives to identify what went well and what can be improved. Implement improvements in subsequent cycles.

Identifying and documenting potential risks helps in making informed decisions about where to allocate limited testing resources. It involves assessing which parts of the software are most likely to fail or would have the biggest impact if they did. This approach ensures that high-risk areas receive adequate attention even under time constraints.

Communication: Maintain open and transparent communication within the team and with stakeholders. Clear communication ensures everyone is aligned and aware of progress and challenges.

Dans un contexte avec des délais particulièrement serrés, la mise en place de tests exploratoire peut être un très bon facteur de réussite. Ils s'organisent sous la forme de sessions entre 30 min et 1h30, au cours desquelles les testeurs parcourent l'application à la recherche d'incohérence, d'anomalies ou de défaillance.

This point covers various strategies to enhance testing efficiency. It includes using exploratory testing to quickly cover a wide range of functionality, implementing parallel testing to work on different aspects simultaneously, leveraging historical data to focus on problematic areas, and using tools for better test management. It also suggests negotiating for additional resources if necessary and implementing smoke tests for quick issue detection.