How have you applied advanced software testing techniques? This is a common question that you may encounter in software testing interviews, especially if you are applying for senior or lead roles. In this article, you will learn how to answer this question by showcasing your skills and experience in using different testing methods, tools, and frameworks.
One of the most important software testing techniques is test automation, which allows you to execute repetitive tests faster, more reliably, and more efficiently. You can demonstrate your proficiency in test automation by describing how you have used various tools and frameworks to automate different types of tests, such as unit, integration, functional, performance, and security tests. You can also mention how you have followed best practices, such as using the Page Object Model, applying the Test Pyramid, and implementing continuous integration and delivery.
In my experience, adding Python to TwinCAT based projects has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. PyADS makes collecting data from an automation solution infinitely easier, especially since TC’s built in ScopeView can become less then reliable when collecting large/long data runs. Coupled with the ability to automatically create graphs of large data sets makes analytics exceptionally easy… much better then manual analysis through something like Excel when processing CSV files. Coupled with the extensive protocol support Beckhoff offers for interfacing with different sensors makes creating test setups nearly painless.
Another advanced software testing technique is test design, which involves creating effective and efficient test cases that cover the requirements and the risks of the software. You can show your expertise in test design by explaining how you have applied different test design techniques, such as boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision tables, state transition diagrams, and pairwise testing. You can also highlight how you have used tools and frameworks to support your test design process, such as test management systems, test data generators, and test case generators.
Test analysis is the process of evaluating the quality and the results of the testing activities. You can demonstrate your skills in test analysis by describing how you have used different metrics and methods to measure and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your testing efforts, such as defect density, defect leakage, test coverage, test execution rate, and test automation ROI. You can also mention how you have used tools and frameworks to facilitate your test analysis process, such as defect tracking systems, test reporting systems, and test analytics platforms.
Test strategy is the high-level plan that guides the testing approach and the testing objectives. You can show your competence in test strategy by explaining how you have defined and documented the test strategy for different projects, considering factors such as the scope, the schedule, the budget, the resources, the stakeholders, the risks, and the quality criteria. You can also highlight how you have aligned your test strategy with the business goals and the user needs, and how you have communicated and reviewed your test strategy with the relevant parties.
Having the ability to automate all aspects of a test setup in Python definitely increase the both the rate of data collection and the analysis portion, increasing both the speed in which tests can be run and analyzed, thereby decreasing the time a testing campaign takes as well as saving the company money and time it takes to pursue and draw conclusions from data.
Test management is the process of coordinating and controlling the testing activities and resources. You can demonstrate your abilities in test management by describing how you have planned, organized, monitored, and controlled the test process, using tools and frameworks such as test management systems, project management systems, and agile methodologies. You can also mention how you have managed the test team, the test environment, the test data, the test artifacts, and the test dependencies.
Test improvement is the process of identifying and implementing actions to enhance the quality and the maturity of the testing process. You can show your knowledge in test improvement by explaining how you have conducted and participated in different test improvement activities, such as test audits, test reviews, test retrospectives, test benchmarking, and test maturity assessments. You can also highlight how you have used tools and frameworks to support your test improvement process, such as test process models, test maturity models, and test improvement frameworks.