Early Warning: The Benefits of Separating Regression and Sanity Tests

I was texting with a great developer recently and during our conversation he mentioned that he's pushing hard to separate a sanity test suite from his regression suite and would love anything I have to share, so lets dive into the benefits of separating out a sanity test suite from your regression suite...

Early detection of critical issues:

By conducting sanity testing separately from regression testing, you can quickly identify critical defects or issues that might have been introduced during the development process. Sanity tests focus on essential functionality and ensure that the core features of the software are working as expected. This early detection helps catch showstopper bugs before progressing further into the testing cycle.

Faster feedback loop:

Since sanity tests cover a subset of functionality, they can be executed relatively quickly. By separating them from regression testing, you can obtain faster feedback on the core functionality of the software. This allows for timely bug reporting and faster decision-making regarding the software's readiness for further testing.

Efficient resource allocation:

Regression testing typically involves a comprehensive suite of tests that may be time-consuming and resource-intensive. By separating sanity testing, which focuses on critical areas, you can allocate testing resources more efficiently. This way, you can ensure that the most essential features are thoroughly tested while optimising the use of time and resources.

Improved test coverage:

With separate sanity testing, you can ensure a dedicated focus on essential functionality and critical user workflows. This allows for more targeted test scenarios and deeper coverage of core features. By explicitly verifying critical aspects of the software, you increase the chances of catching defects that could impact the overall user experience or requirements.

Clear distinction between different testing objectives:

Separating sanity testing from regression testing helps establish a clear distinction between different testing objectives. Sanity tests primarily focus on confirming basic functionality, while regression tests aim to verify the stability and integrity of the software across various scenarios. This separation ensures that each testing phase has a specific purpose, leading to better organisation and clarity in the overall testing process.

In general by splitting sanity testing from regression testing, you can prioritise critical functionality, catch showstopper issues early on, and optimise resource allocation. This approach ultimately contributes to improved software quality, faster feedback loops, and a more efficient testing process.