What techniques can you use to reduce time and effort in regression testing?

I recommend you take a phased approach. Define your regression test suites by levels as well as their use. The lower the level the faster the feedback. For example, say you have 5 level test suites defined: Level 0: smoke test - used by IT after changes to infrastructure (e.g. switch, router, VM). Level 1: smoke test - used to inform a deployment team after a deployment to an environment. Level 2: feature test - used by dev teams to continually get feedback as a new feature is being added or an existing one modified. Level 3: integration test - used by dev and test teams to verify integrations to other components or systems. Level 4: full regression test - run nightly

To cover regression testing, we can do the following to reduce time and effort. 1) Basic Sanity testing can be performed on the specific module where code change is done initially to check for any regression 2) P0 test cases can be run to check for any regression on the specific module where the code change is done 3) Basic automation test cases related to the module can be performed initially to save time and effort and for quicker delivery of the product

To save time and effort in regression testing, start with smoke testing for a quick check of key functionalities, which I've found effective in catching major issues early. Then, use automation to handle repetitive tests, significantly reducing time, as seen in my past projects. Prioritize test cases by focusing on critical functionalities, and employ risk-based testing to concentrate on areas most likely to have problems. Keep your test suite updated and lean. Including sanity testing after minor updates ensures those changes work correctly, further streamlining the regression testing process.

Prioritize Based on Risk: Identify and prioritize test cases based on the risk associated with specific functionalities. Focus more on areas prone to defects or where changes are frequent.

Automation will save lots of time and effort particularly during regression testing. Automation will remove the human error component while redoing the tests.

Automate repetitive and time-consuming test cases to execute them quickly and consistently. Automated tests can be run across different configurations and environments, reducing the manual effort.

Automating test case that are repetitive, this will allow QA's to focus on other priorities. Ensuring the automation test cases fix it's own environment (if needed) thus allowing extra time for QA

To reduce the time and effort in regression testing, consider implementing the following combination of techniques: 1.Execution of Essential Sanity Test Cases: Initiate the process by executing fundamental sanity test cases. Use these basic tests to ensure the stability of core functionalities. 2. Regression Test Suite Identification through Risk-Based Testing: Identify test cases based on the perceived risk associated with recent changes. 3.Automation of Selected Test Cases from Step 2: Automate the regression test cases identified in the previous step. Incorporating these steps, you can optimize regression testing process by strategically executing essential sanity tests, prioritizing based on risk, and automating targeted test cases.

Selecting a subset of tests can be a helpful strategy for reducing regression testing time but needs to be done in a well thought out manner. In order for this to work effectively you must be able to thoroughly understand the Application Under Test and the impact changes in the code base have on the overall system. Without having deep knowledge of your system can open your team to a large amount of risk.

Run Tests in Parallel: Execute test cases concurrently on multiple machines or environments. This reduces the overall test execution time and accelerates the feedback loop.

To reduce the time and effort in regression testing, consider implementing the following combination of techniques: 1.Execution of Essential Sanity Test Cases: Use these basic tests to ensure the stability of core functionalities. 2. Regression Test Suite Identification through Risk-Based Testing: Employ risk-based testing principles to discern and prioritize regression test suite components. 3. Automation of Selected Test Cases from Step 2: Automate the regression test cases identified in the previous step. By incorporating these steps, you can optimize the regression testing process by strategically executing essential sanity tests, prioritizing based on risk, and automating targeted test cases.

Regression testing can be time consuming, but I've found ways to streamline it. In my experience, using automation is a key technique for reducing time and effort. Such as Selenium allow me to create reusable test scripts that can quickly execute repetitive test cases. This frees me up to focus on areas with higher regression risk. Prioritizing test cases based on risk and criticality helps focus efforts on high-impact areas, minimizing redundant testing.In addition, implementing efficient test data management strategies ensures that tests are run with relevant data, further streamlining the regression testing process.By combining these, I've significantly reduced testing time and effort, enabling me to deliver high-quality releases faster.

Regardless of the approach you take, always keep in mind that regression test suites should not be static. Just because a test gave you useful information 6 months ago doesn't mean it's still useful. Continue to analyze and sift through your regression test suite on a regular cadence and retire tests that are not no longer relevant or necessary. Maybe the feature is stable and there is no new development? Maybe the information provided by the test had a specific purpose that is no longer applicable? Maintaining your regression suite will ensure that you have less noise to sift through when tests fail and allows you to focus on the things that matter!

In embedded systems where memory constraint is present, test strategy which enables unit testing individual modules one by one using automated tests in the target environment can be employed. Batch file commands supported by the Integrated development environment can be used to build each module under test and its respective unit test code, download them to the target environment and execute them. This approach can be followed for all the modules.

Collaborating with Dev team, Architects and understand the changes and scope. Apply risk based testing by selecting very carefully which are all test needs to be executed for the given change. Always have the business critical tests automated and this must pass no matter what change has been made in the product.