COVID-19 Pandemic - The Best Test on Humanity

Covid-19 outbreak is one of the darkest black swans (unexpected of the unknowns) of 21st century. The entire world has come up together to combat this pandemic globally. Moreover, Corona has made the humanity realize the importance of the 'essentials'.

Before we move further, I would like to start with a question - what defines a good test?

In my opinion, a Good Test is a question that you ask to the system (under test) which could directly:

1. Expose bugs / issues / weakness
2. Verify correctness of the system
3. Assure quality (long term sustainability)
4. Minimize safety related risks

COVID-19 pandemic has put the entire world and its order, i.e., development, structure and the pattern of human lifestyle in question. After having worked in the field of testing and quality assurance for around 4 years, I consider this pandemic as a boon and one of the best lessons that mankind could ever receive. Infact, it is a blessing in disguise thereby giving a much needed chance to humanity to undo the wrongs and improve themselves.

The following analysis is a humble attempt to throw light on the various types of testing that COVID-19 made us all undergo in past few months either directly or indirectly. Further, this pandemic has been enlightening in a way that has brought many compelling questions to the surface.

• Unit Testing - Testing of an individual unit or component is termed as Unit Testing. We individuals are the perfect blocks of unit of our humanity, COVID-19 has left each one of us with the following questions:

1. Are we prepared for survival amidst disaster?
2. Do we know the relevance of our essentials?
3. What are our real priorities?
4. Do we realize the value of inner peace and happiness?

• Integration Testing - It is the testing of all integrated modules to verify the combined functionality after integration. We as a family, society are a perfect examples of integrated modules. Things to ponder upon:

1. Are we really aware of how to act swiftly amidst the time of crisis?
2. Do we know how to coordinate together efficiently to prevent disaster and its aftermath?

• Ad-Hoc Testing - Testing performed on an Ad-Hoc basis, i.e., with no reference to any plan or documentation in place. COVID-19 pandemic was a totally unplanned and unforeseen event in our lives. Some more thought provoking questions:

1. Are we ready to be tested in an ad-hoc way?
2. Do we have basics fixed for any ad-hoc tests in future?
3. Could a more severe ad-hoc testing totally break humanity the next time?

• Compatibility Testing - Testing performed to validate how system behaves and works in different environment, conditions and configurations. Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down in terms of the environment and the living conditions. Here comes the New Normal! Give a thought to the following:

1. Are we prepared enough to adjust in our new environment?
2. Is our technology stable enough to quickly adapt and scale the changes?
3. Are we really compatible to work in the new environment?

• Exploratory Testing - It explores the system and looks for defects / issues that exist in the application. Ask yourself these basic questions:

1. Is everyone well-equipped with the basic amenities of living?
2. Are our medical institutions fully equipped with the necessary healthcare equipments?
3. Do we have enough medical workforce to combat the emergency situations?

• Functional Testing - Testing geared to the functional requirements of any system. Pandemic has questioned our functional abilities like:

1. Do our systems really function properly?
2. Can everyone's functional requirements be satisfied?
3. Are we ready to face the consequences if one more such test is done?

• Load Testing - Testing to check how much load or workload a system can handle without any performance degradation. COVID-19 has really put some heavy load on some of the fundamental systems. Questions it asks us are:

1. Can the healthcare system adequately support the world we live in?
2. Is the public transport facility sufficient to relocate all people safely?
3. Can the mankind sustain if the load persists for some more time?

• Security Testing - Testing to check if system can be penetrated by any malicious way. With the world undergoing transition, many questions about security are being raised:

1. Are we living in a safe and secure environment?
2. Can malicious intentions and people really escape the hands of the law?
3. Are digitally enabled security systems - the pressing need of the hour?

• Vulnerability Testing - Testing that involves identifying the vulnerable points in the system. With a lot of events happening around the world during this trying phase, the following thoughts arise:

1. Is one section of society more vulnerable than the other?
2. Were we aware of all these vulnerabilities before the onslaught of COVID-19?
3. Are we in a position to address these vulnerabilities?

• End-to-End Testing - Testing of a complete system in real scenarios.

Last but in no way the least, this pandemic has overhauled the entire universe and its functioning thereby giving us a fresh new perspective. From the social system to the education system; From the luxury to going back to basics and realizing the importance of essentials; Corona has indeed brought anything and everything including the earthlings on the same level. The equalizing factor is working in full swing and we need to realize, function and act in conjunction with the wisdom that this pandemic has gifted us!

Can this testing time not be a precursor to the better time ahead? I leave this question for you to answer!