Manual Testing
Fundamentals
Introduction to Manual Testing
Welcome to the Manual Testing Fundamentals Course
What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is a software testing approach where testers manually
execute test cases without the use of automation tools or scripts. It
involves human intervention to perform various testing activities, such
as test case design, test execution, and defect reporting.
In manual testing:
testers simulate end-user behavior and interact with the software
application to identify defects, ensure its functionality, and
validate its conformance to specifications. They follow predefined
test scenarios and test cases to verify different aspects of the
software, including its functionality, usability, performance, and
compatibility.
The process of manual testing typically involves the following steps:
1) Test Planning
2) Test Case Design
3) Test Environment Setup
4) Test Execution
5) Defect Reporting
6) Test Closure
Manual testing offers several advantages
Early detection of usability issues:
Testers can identify user interface-related problems, such as layout issues,
navigation problems, or unclear instructions.
Ad hoc testing:
Testers can perform exploratory testing, where they explore the software
application in an informal manner to uncover defects that might not be
covered by predefined test cases.
Flexibility:
Manual testing allows testers to adapt quickly to changes in requirements
and explore different scenarios based on their experience and intuition.
manual testing has some limitations
Time-consuming:
Manual testing can be time-consuming, especially when executing repetitive
test cases.
Human error:
Testers may introduce human errors during test case execution, such as
overlooking certain conditions or making mistakes in data entry.
Limited scalability:
Manual testing becomes challenging when dealing with large and complex
software applications, as it requires significant effort and resources to cover
all possible test scenarios.
Roles and Responsibilities of a
Manual Tester
Manual Tester's Role in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Key Responsibilities of a Manual Tester
Understanding requirements and
specifications
Creating test cases and test scripts
Executing test cases and reporting defects
Collaborating with the development team
Software Development Life
Cycle (SDLC) Overview
Phases of the SDLC
Requirements gathering and analysis
Design and architecture
Development and coding
Testing and quality assurance
Deployment and maintenance
Importance of Testing in the SDLC
Identifying defects early
Ensuring software quality
Enhancing user experience
Validating requirements and specifications
Specifications
Mitigating risks
Enhancing maintainability and scalability
Building customer confidence
Compliance and regulatory requirements
Testing Methodologies and Techniques
Popular Testing Methodologies
Waterfall
Agile (Scrum, Kanban)
DevOps
Testing Techniques
Black-box testing
White-box testing
Gray-box testing
Exploratory testing
Skills That Manual
Testing Projects Help
You Practice
Manual testing projects offer testers valuable
knowledge and skills that improve their expertise in
software testing.
1. Defect Identification and Reporting
Manual testing projects need testers to discover defects
or problems during testing and report them correctly.
Testers get to develop skills in finding detailed defect
information, offering steps to recreate issues, and
documenting supporting evidence to assist developers in
comprehending and addressing the issues.
2. Domain and Application Understanding
Manual testing projects expose you to varying applications
and domains. Testers get insights into the business
processes, user workflows, and functionalities linked to
specific domains. This knowledge allows them to execute
targeted testing and discover domain-specific challenges
and risks.
3. Collaboration and Communication
Manual testing projects generally provide collaboration
with developers, stakeholders, and project teams. Testers
develop substantial communication skills to effectively
discuss testing needs, offer feedback, and report issues.
They learn to work in teams, contribute to project
discussions, and participate in meetings.
4. Test Documentation and Reporting
Testers learn how to document testing activities, including
test reports, cases, and plans. They learn skills in creating
well-structured, concise, and precise documentation that
communicates test results, recommendations, and
findings to project stakeholders.
5. Quality Assurance Best Practices
With manual testing projects, testers get to familiarise
themselves with industry-standard testing methodologies,
practices, and quality assurance frameworks. They get
insights into quality control techniques, risk assessment,
and test management, allowing them to contribute to
software quality improvement.
6. Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
Manual testing projects need testers to evaluate
complicated scenarios, discover possible risks, and create
effective testing strategies. This way, they develop
problem-solving and critical thinking skills to understand
root causes, troubleshoot problems, and develop solutions
for enhancing software quality.
Manual Testing Projects
FAQs
1. What are manual testing projects?
Manual testing projects involve the process of testing software or applications
manually without the use of automated testing tools. Testers execute test
cases, evaluate system functionality, validate user interfaces, and identify
defects or issues through manual interactions.
2. What are examples of manual testing?
Functional Testing, Usability Testing, Regression Testing, Exploratory Testing,
Compatibility Testing, and Localisation Testing are some examples of manual
testing.
3. How to do real-time projects in testing?
To do real-time projects in testing, understand project requirements and
objectives. Plan and document test strategies and test cases. Execute test
cases, record results, and track defects. Collaborate with stakeholders and
developers to address issues. Communicate progress and report on testing
activities. Continuously adapt to emerging testing methodologies. Apply
problem-solving skills and critical thinking to ensure thorough testing.
4. Is manual testing good for Careers?
Yes, manual testing can be a valuable career path. It remains crucial in many
software development projects. It offers opportunities for growth,
specialisation, and advancement in roles such as test analysts, test leads, or
quality assurance managers.
5. Is manual testing easy?
Manual testing can be both challenging and rewarding. It needs substantial
analytical skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Being a tester, you
must follow test scripts, ensure the software is functional and qualitative,
execute test cases, and discover defects.
6. Which website is best for manual testing?
Several websites provide resources and information for manual testing. Some
popular ones are the Ministry of Testing, Stack Exchange, Software Testing
Help, ISTQB, and Guru99.
7. What are the best career options for manual
testers?
There are several career options for a manual tester, including Test Analyst,
Domain-specific Tester, Test Lead, Automation Tester, Quality Assurance
Engineer, and Test Manager.
Conclusion
Manual testing projects are critical to ensuring that software is qualitative,
functional, and offers adequate user experience. It needs skilled testers to
test cases, discover defects, and evaluate usability cautiously.
By combining expertise in test design, execution, and defect management,
manual testers deliver high-quality software that meets user expectations. As
technology evolves, manual testing continues to be a valuable and relevant
field, driving excellence in software development.
