Manual testing, therefore, remains a critical aspect of the software development life cycle. It includes the use of human beings in testing to look for errors that an automated test cannot detect. Manual testing, as much as it has its benefits, has several drawbacks it comes with. In this blog, we will discuss some of these challenges that are found most commonly and that need to be addressed for proper manual testing.
Let’s understand the manual testing first.
What is manual testing?
It is the process of testing software without the help of an automation tool in order to determine whether it meets the expected performance. While there is automated testing that utilizes scripts and tools to test software applications, manual testing entails the tester running the application through real tests by inputting data, making computations, and even observing the outcome that has been computed, among other ways of testing. Manual testers carry out a specific procedure and use the software in a manner that can reveal things that automated testing will not.
Benefits of Manual Testing
1. Human Insight
Manual testing gives the tester the leeway to reason with his/her instincts. This is useful in the determination of usability problems, user experience problems, and other minor imperfections that may not be detected by the automated tests.
2. Flexibility
Manual testing retains flexibility and is capable of responding quickly to any changes to the software. For the case of new features or updates, the testers can change how they test the software without having to write all over the scripts.
3. Exploratory Testing
It means that testers can go further than test cases and check the software’s capabilities, not limited by test cases. This kind of testing can reveal specific bugs that cannot be found in other more formal kinds of testing and can give practical information regarding how the software works in real applications.
4. Usability Testing
Manual testing is required for the assessment of the software’s GUI and other similar aspects. Testers can determine if the software is easy to work with so as to meet the user’s expectations.
5. Cost-effective for Small Projects
For small projects or projects that are only in the development phase, it is cheaper to perform manual testing rather than creating automated tests. Because it does not require a lengthy procedure to conduct the test, it enables the tests to be conducted and the results to be given immediately.
Common Challenges in Manual Testing and How to Overcome Them
No doubt, manual testing offers a number of benefits but when we do manual testing, we face some challenges like:
1. Time-Consuming Process
Challenge: There are multiple disadvantages of the manual testing approach, which include that all tasks must be made by hand, and it means that working with testers is time-consuming.
Solution:
- Prioritize Test Cases: Prioritize the areas that are most essential to the business’s operations and those that pose the highest risks. Take advantage of risk-based testing to be able to identify the right test cases that need to be executed.
- Efficient Test Plans: Prepare specific and precise test plans to help testers and reduce time wastage, for example from IOCs.
2. Human Error
Challenge: As for human testers, some may fail to pinpoint certain issues due to fatigue, or they may make some mistakes that may easily be detected by an automated tool.
Solution:
- Structured Testing: The best way to control this is to use detailed checklists and test cases, which will help the testers avoid a large number of steps.
- Regular Reviews: Set up a system where another tester or a team member that is involved in the project goes through what has been done in order to review in the hopes of finding things that were not seen the first time around.
3. Inconsistent Results
Challenge: Testers can provide differing interpretations of the test cases, and hence we arrive at diverse results.
Solution:
- Standardized Procedures: Adopt standard test procedures and policies to be implemented to avoid any deviations on the tests that will be conducted.
- Training: They could be made to undergo proper training that would meet the rigors of the job to make sure that they conduct the procedures appropriately.
4. Limited Coverage
Challenge: Manual testing may not cover all possible scenarios and give an untrue picture as it may not consider all the aspects, especially for complex software.
Solution:
- Risk-Based Testing: Identify these areas and functions that are vital for your business; therefore, in case of an attack, the impact is usually felt most severely. Apply both manual and automated testing to be able to cover a greater amount of test cases.
- Exploratory Testing: Examples include asking testers to test the software beyond what the test cases are programmed to do.
5. Difficulty in Reproducing Bugs
Challenge: Executing these tests during manual testing sessions can be difficult and reproduce the bugs all the time.
Solution:
- Detailed Bug Reporting: Ensure you report bugs together with steps to reproduce, screen shots, or any other relevant information.
- Testing in Controlled Environments: Use it in testing environments that will help in reproducing and identifying some of the bugs that are likely to occur.
6. High Cost
Challenge: Manual testing can be expensive as it requires the efforts of human testers and may consume a lot of time.
Solution:
- Optimize Resources: One has to use some levels of manual and automated testing so that the company can be able to balance costs. Use automation to reduce the number of repetitive manual tests that require a tester’s time and attention.
- Effective Planning: Test management—avoid squandering time and funds by improperly planning testing.
7. Adaptability to Changes
Challenge: Unfortunately, when it comes to changes happening frequently, automated manuals may be hard for manual testers to implement.
Solution:
- Flexible Test Plans: Use organizational flexibility in test plans but ensure that they are adaptable. Ensure that new test cases are created from the ongoing changes of the software being used.
- Continuous Integration: Automate manual tests and make these into a post-compile script for CI to run checks after each modification occurs.
Conclusion
Manual testing is key to ensuring software quality. It helps us understand how users will interact with the software and find issues that automated tests might miss. By tackling common problems with smart strategies like focusing on important test cases, and using consistent procedures, we can make manual testing more effective and efficient. Know how crucial it is to overcome these challenges. Get focused on thorough manual testing and continuous improvement to deliver reliable and user-friendly software for our clients.
