What time-wasting habits should you avoid as a software tester on a deadline?

As a software tester on a deadline, avoid time-wasting habits like excessive multitasking, unplanned meetings, perfectionism, lack of test planning, ineffective communication, over-reliance on manual testing, procrastination, inadequate documentation, endless debugging, ignoring health, constant email checking, and not setting priorities. Addressing these habits allows testers to optimize their time, improve efficiency, and meet deadlines effectively.

What time-wasting habits should you avoid as a software tester on a deadline? - Avoid unnecessary meetings - Proper test planning - Risk based approach - Smart decision to pick on platforms and browser which are widely used - Efficient and smart selection of test cases

One of the ways to prioritize your testing activities when you are on a tight schedule is deciding to move some risks to the user, this approach is very risky but if done in a proper way will save you a lot of time. The risks that you move to the user are areas in the application which will not have bad impact on the user if defects are found in them, and in this case you skip testing them and wait for feedback from users about failures in it.

Avoid getting stuck in unnecessary details; focus on critical tasks. Minimize excessive multitasking to maintain efficiency and meet deadlines as a software tester.

To avoid wasting time as a software tester, especially when on a tight deadline, it's important to not get too caught up on a single tough bug. Move on and come back to it with fresh eyes. Also, make sure to prioritize your tests. Start with the most critical ones. Jumping into testing without a plan can also waste time, so take a few minutes to map out your approach. Relying only on manual testing for everything isn't efficient. Use automated tests for the repetitive stuff. Lastly, always learn from past bugs. It helps you test smarter and faster. This way, you stay focused and efficient, even when time is short.

I've noticed that automation testers often spend lots of time automating low-impact areas like the login page, which has been stable for years and rarely undergoes changes. While it's tempting to automate something because it's repetitive or easy, that shouldn't be the sole criterial. Have the right targets for automation. Automation should focus on core functionalities that are not only repetitive but also time-consuming to test manually. For example, web pages that handle large volumes of data or have multiple permutations of data are prime candidates for automation.

When the work Automation comes to mind, many people imagine someone who is writing excessive amount of code. The reality is that not all automation is about writing code. I worked on many projects in which we used a no-code test automation tool to record test scripts, and then record them back on different devices in order to run the same scripts on different devices. This saved us a lot of time that would have been spent on running the same manual tests multiple times on many devices.

For regression testing, it's preferable to rely mostly on automation. In the software development life cycle (SDLC), I prefer to conduct extensive testing in the development (DEV) environment and rely on automation in the staging environment. In my opinion, automation should cover at least 80-90% of the testing process. When it comes to newly implemented features, manual testing is suitable, but for stable areas and regression testing, it's always better to rely on test automation. This approach allows for more time for exploratory testing during the test run.

When you think about automation, look at the holistic picture and not only at test cases to reduce your execution time. Look at other tasks as a tester which you perform and can be automated like test data generation, defect analysis and test case optimisation

Use automation to help you move faster. What this means is, contrary to popular belief, use ready-made lo code frameworks (preferably with a UI) that give you the capability to visually construct any scenario you need for the task. Be it for verifying functionality, running administrative tasks (db refresh, log rotation...), or automating the high-value (as informed by the context) e2e scenarios that span multiple systems.

When we say "Avoid Multitasking", some people think that this means working on only one project and not contributing to more than one project at the same day. In my opinion, avoiding multitasking means avoiding answering unnecessary messages, avoiding attending unnecessary meetings, avoiding chit chats that distract you from your task. On the other hand, working for two hours on one project "without distractions", taking a break then moving to another project and working on it for two hours "without distractions", this is not multitasking, this is good time management especially if you avoid distractions and focus on the most important tasks first.

I have observed one time waster, where the tester is requested to reproduce and prove the faults to the developers, defending the priority of the faults raised resulting in multiple discussions to and fro tickets etc. A good information on the faults with traces and possible logs, a work around suggestions to the developers helps save a lot of time

Carve out some focus time by booking it in your calendar so you can focus on testing. But remember, some multitasking is unavoidable by working in a team. * Don't ignore team member requests for information all day. We need to shorten feedback loops so that we can make decisions / fix things. * Some things will take higher priority than your day to day testing (like debugging a live issue) so be available to support that. * Learn how to say no to tasks or say what will de deprioritised by picking this up.

As a software tester, maintaining a laser-like focus and minimizing distractions is paramount when facing tight deadlines. Multitasking often leads to errors and hampers the ability to thoroughly test software. Personally, I find that dedicating specific time blocks for testing, free from interruptions like emails and messages, greatly enhances my productivity. It allows for deep dives into testing scenarios and helps me catch critical issues efficiently. I also recommend communicating with colleagues about your focused testing periods to minimize interruptions, contributing to a more productive and successful testing process.

Let's address the common challenges testers encounter when coordinating with developers to reproduce bugs or test new features in the Dev Environment for upcoming releases. Establish a regular cadence for discussions with the development team, either daily or post-standup. Recognizing priority is crucial. For critical defects, allocate time promptly for in-depth explanations to ensure immediate resolution. If the resolution isn't immediate, assess priority and schedule a meeting later in the day. This ensures efficient issue resolution.

I have wasted so much time trying to figure out how to fix a problem that a developer already has a solution for. It's better to just own up to your ignorance and ask for help rather than to pretend you can fix everything on your own. You are much more useful as a collaborative team member than as some sort of hands-off individual contributor.

The most of QA Engineers work alone or in isolation the most part of the days. The contact with the Team lays on take some doubt about something with them and participate of the Agile cerimonies (meetings). The collaboration resides on 'bringing something to the table'.

Let's redefine teams as people with a shared goal, achieving it together, instead of specialists with tasks. Instead of waiting for an analyst to provide you with ready-made requirements on which to write test scenarios, get involved in analytical work. Shift left. You can help create acceptance criteria, validate requirements and their specifications. By doing so : you will have a better understanding of the product you are testing, you will have a real impact on the quality of the product and you will save time previously spent passively reviewing ready requirements, making comments, waiting for corrections. It may turn out that you don't need to create test scenarios at all because good acceptance criteria are enough for testing.

Especially working as a testing consultant on a new customer project, it's well worth it to find out if there are some teams or individuals already doing what you are tasked to do at the customer. For example test data creation often is a major effort so a lot of duplicate work can saved if there already is a data set or repository you can use in your assignment.

An important moment for a tester, which significantly helps them in their work and setting priorities for task execution, is to be aware of the business's goals and objectives. When you understand what the business prioritizes and why, you can structure your work in the most optimal way, avoiding getting bogged down in trivialities and not losing focus on the truly important matters.

The choice from first place to go for high level or low level test cases will have high impact on the ability to review the test cases when you don't have much time. It is extremely important to choose the better approach for your project from the first place. For agile projects with a lot of changes, high level test cases is a better choice. For safety critical project with a strict plan, low level test cases is a better choice.

I'd emphasize the importance of constant communication within the testing team. Collaboratively reviewing and optimizing test cases can uncover insights and issues that might not be apparent to an individual tester. Additionally, seeking input from developers can lead to a more comprehensive and effective testing strategy. This collaboration not only streamlines the testing process but also promotes a sense of shared responsibility for product quality, which is crucial when working against tight deadlines.

To add to that, testers should be aware of the “pesticide paradox”. One of the reasons I mandate test case reviews routinely. Its states that just like the pests in a farm go immune to the same pesticide over a period of time, the test cases written if not reviewed routinely will fail to catch new issues/bugs introduced in the system.

Use downtime and ceremonies like retrospectives. Have another QA or team take a look at your testing. Anything they can see you've missed? Are your regression packs valid? Do they need upkeep? Any new tools or methods you could experiment with?

One should have a separate set of test cases or checklists depending upon the use case (Sanity, Smoke, Release, Regression, etc).

Some time-wasting habits are: -Trying to achieve perfection can cause you to spend too much time on minor details, and miss the bigger picture. -Repeating the same tests due to lack of input can cause you to waste time and resources, and miss important issues. -Switching between different tasks can cause you to lose focus and concentration, and make mistakes. -Checking your emails or making personal phone calls, chats, or breaks too frequently or at inappropriate times can cause you to get distracted and interrupted, and lose track of your work.

I resonate with this on so many levels given the current scenario of software development and the trend of shift left in the development cycle. There are too many technologies being created and adopted in a fail-fast fashion (E.g: NodeJS, DenoJs and Bun) that in order to be on the same page with the development team, it is quintessential for testers to keep on learning. For me, it’s synonymous to “Growth Mindset”, we push ourself in order to acquire the knowledge that makes us better testers and automation engineers at the job.

Do you know if your tests are effective? We don't create or execute them for no reason. An effective test achieves a defined goal. Covering risks, requirements, business process, providing other information that will help to make informed business decisions. Tests without a defined objective may simply be worthless. 1. Define the purpose 2. Define metrics that help assess whether the objective is being met 3. Perform the measurement and analyze the results. What can you improve, change to achieve the goal faster, cheaper? 4. Apply the inspect and adapt principle, based on data.

Adapting to Emerging Technologies: Continuous learning aids in adapting to new technologies. In a cybersecurity software project, staying updated on evolving threats and security measures ensures that testing remains effective and up-to-date. Quality Assurance Enhancement: Improving skills enhances the overall quality of the testing process. In a social media platform project, learning advanced user experience testing techniques can result in more insightful feedback and a smoother user journey.

?? Set your goal and objective which help you to focus on essential activities ?? Making into smaller tasks will speed up things in smarter way ?? Create time schedule like sense of urgency which helps to stay on track and work in better way also help you to stay focused ?? Learn to say no. Over commitment will not help you to meet any deadline ?? Celebrate and reward yourself will helps you to stay focused on goals

The following has helped me save time and stay focussed. 1. Understand the release goals and the impacted areas / modules 2. Concentrate on testing the critical paths that impact the business. 3. Give priority to frequently used breakpoints, such as important browsers and key devices. 4. Avoid getting bogged down by minor issues. 5. Regularly update and collaborate on your progress with all stakeholders every two hours. 6. Embrace the concept of failing fast. 7. Don't hesitate to seek assistance when needed.

Testers should optimize the testing efforts with these strategies: Meeting Efficiency: Minimize the time spent in testing review and defect triage meetings. Streamline discussions to ensure they are concise and productive. Automate Regression Tests: Reduce manual regression testing hours by prioritizing automation. Automate repetitive test cases to enhance efficiency. Prioritize API Automation: Shift your focus from UI automation to API-based automation. This approach is quicker, more straightforward, and dependable. Clear Test Stop Criteria: Establish clear criteria and a well-defined plan for when to conclude testing activities. Ensure that testing objectives are met before concluding the testing phase.

In my opinion , here is a condensed list of time-wasting behaviors that a software tester on a tight deadline should steer clear of: 1.Refrain from multitasking too much. 2.Prioritize tasks clearly and adhere to the specified test strategy. 3.Whenever possible, automate repetitious chores. 4.Test cases should be arranged for efficiency and clarity. 5.Keep lines of communication open and transparent with the development team. 6.Arrange and set up investigative testing. 7.Make sure the test data is easily accessible. 8.Make sure meetings are fruitful and focused. 9.To enhance productivity, take brief breaks on a regular basis. 10.When faced with challenges or uncertainty, ask for assistance. 11.Deal with test environment problems early on.

1. Striving for absolute perfection and aiming for 100 % coverage can be counterproductive and is a myth. Prioritize finding critical defects over minor issues. 2. Perform Risk-based testing: Understand the customers and the impact of the release and design and prioritize the test cases based on higher to lower impact 3. Seek clarification from the development or product team if you encounter any ambiguous requirements. 4. Always Always use the production-like data for any testing. 5. Use Automation wherever you can. 6. Bring UAT at the early stages of the cycle.

Not taking breaks. It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if you are working on a deadline. Taking breaks will help you to stay focused and productive when you are working.