Manual testing plays a critical role in software development, as it ensures that an application or system works as expected and meets the requirements laid out by stakeholders. Manual testers are tasked with evaluating the functionality of software, identifying defects, and verifying that everything works as intended. While automation testing has gained significant popularity in recent years, manual testing remains a crucial component of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), especially when the tests require human judgment or understanding complex user scenarios. If you’re looking to pursue a career in manual testing, consider enrolling in a Manual testing online course with certificate to gain in-depth knowledge and a credential that can enhance your professional prospects.
There are several manual testing techniques used by software testers to evaluate the system. Each technique has its unique characteristics and is suited for specific testing needs. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 common manual testing techniques that every tester should know.
Top 10 Common Manual Testing Techniques
1. Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing is an informal and dynamic testing technique in which testers explore the software without predefined test cases. The goal is to learn about the system while simultaneously designing and executing tests. Testers rely on their intuition, experience, and knowledge of the system to discover unexpected behaviors or bugs. QA manual testing training can provide hands-on experience to develop the skills necessary for conducting effective exploratory testing.
How it works:
- Testers use the application as an end-user would, trying various inputs and interacting with the system.
- The tester makes observations about the application’s behavior and adjusts the testing approach accordingly.
- This technique allows testers to uncover defects that may not have been considered during scripted testing.
When to use:
- When the tester has a deep understanding of the application.
- During the early stages of development when documentation and requirements may be sparse.
- For uncovering unexpected issues or usability problems.
Benefits:
- Encourages creativity and flexibility in testing.
- Identifies complex and hidden defects that automated scripts might miss.
2. Black Box Testing
Black box testing is a testing technique where the tester focuses on evaluating the functionality of the system without knowing its internal workings. The tester is only concerned with inputs and outputs, rather than how the software processes those inputs. Enrolling in manual testing training and placement can help you learn how to effectively implement this testing method and potentially secure a job in the field.
How it works:
- Testers identify input data, execute the test, and observe the resulting output.
- No knowledge of the internal code or system design is required.
When to use:
- During functional testing to verify if the application meets user requirements.
- When testing user interfaces or system features.
- When testing third-party software integration where the internals are not available.
Benefits:
- It simulates how end-users interact with the system, ensuring the functionality is as expected.
- Testers don’t need to understand the underlying code, making it ideal for non-technical testers.
3. White Box Testing
White box testing, also known as clear-box testing or structural testing, involves evaluating the internal logic, structure, and workings of an application. Testers require knowledge of the code and internal structure to perform this type of testing.
How it works:
- Testers have access to the code and design documentation.
- Test cases are designed based on the code, internal algorithms, and logic flow of the application.
- The goal is to ensure that the internal workings are functioning correctly.
When to use:
- For unit testing, where individual components or modules of the system are tested.
- During security testing, to ensure that sensitive information is properly protected.
- For evaluating code quality, coverage, and performance.
Benefits:
- Helps in identifying hidden bugs related to the internal structure and design.
- Improves the quality of the code and ensures robustness in the application’s logic.
4. Smoke Testing
Smoke testing, also called build verification testing, is a preliminary test conducted to check the basic functionality of an application. This testing ensures that the most critical features of the software are working before proceeding with further detailed testing.
How it works:
- A set of basic tests is executed to ensure the core functionality is working (e.g., logging in, basic navigation, or key workflows).
- If the smoke test fails, the build is rejected, and further testing is not conducted until the issues are resolved.
When to use:
- At the beginning of each testing cycle, especially after receiving a new build.
- When the software is integrated with other modules and needs a quick check to see if it is stable enough for detailed testing.
Benefits:
- Helps identify critical issues early, saving time and resources in the long run.
- Ensures that only stable builds are subjected to more thorough testing.
5. Sanity Testing
Sanity testing is a quick and focused testing approach that aims to verify whether a particular functionality or bug fix works as expected after changes have been made to the application. It is typically performed when there is limited time for testing.
How it works:
- Testers review the impacted area of the system based on changes made, such as bug fixes or new features.
- The goal is to ensure that the changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.
When to use:
- When a specific bug fix or new feature needs to be verified.
- After receiving a small patch or update to verify that the specific functionality is working correctly.
Benefits:
- It ensures that changes to the system haven’t broken existing functionality.
- Helps to quickly verify that critical issues have been resolved.
6. Regression Testing
Regression testing is a type of testing conducted to verify that new code changes or bug fixes have not introduced new issues in the system. It involves re-running previous test cases to ensure that the software continues to work as expected after updates or modifications.
How it works:
- Testers select a set of test cases that cover the impacted areas of the system.
- These tests are re-executed after code changes to ensure the system’s stability.
When to use:
- After any software updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
- When integrating new features or components to ensure that no unintended consequences occur.
Benefits:
- Ensures that new changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.
- Identifies unintended side effects of new features or bug fixes.
7. Integration Testing
Integration testing involves testing the interfaces and interaction points between different modules or components of the system. The focus is on verifying that the system works correctly when individual modules are integrated.
How it works:
- Testers execute test cases that evaluate how well different modules interact with each other.
- This includes testing data exchange, communication between systems, and verifying that the integration points are functioning correctly.
When to use:
- After unit testing, when individual modules have been tested in isolation.
- When a new feature or module is integrated into the existing system.
Benefits:
- Ensures that individual components or modules work together as expected.
- Identifies issues in data flow, communication, and integration points.
8. Usability Testing
Usability testing evaluates how user-friendly and intuitive the software is. The goal is to assess how easily end-users can navigate and interact with the system, as well as to identify potential issues that could affect the user experience (UX).
How it works:
- Testers simulate real user scenarios and observe how users interact with the system.
- Feedback is gathered from users about their experiences, pain points, and suggestions for improvement.
When to use:
- During the design phase, to assess if the application’s design is intuitive.
- Before the product is launched, to ensure the application provides a positive user experience.
Benefits:
- Helps improve the user interface (UI) and overall user experience (UX).
- Uncovers usability issues that could affect user adoption and satisfaction.
9. Ad-Hoc Testing
Ad-hoc testing is an informal, unstructured testing technique where testers perform random tests without predefined test cases or a specific goal. It is often used to explore the application and identify defects in an unscripted manner.
How it works:
- Testers try different combinations of inputs, interactions, and use cases that might not have been covered by formal test cases.
- The goal is to discover unexpected issues or defects.
When to use:
- When there is a lack of formal documentation or requirements.
- When testers want to explore the application to identify potential weaknesses or bugs.
Benefits:
- It allows testers to use their creativity and intuition to discover defects that might not have been considered during structured testing.
- Provides an additional layer of testing in cases where other methods might fall short.
10. End-to-End Testing
End-to-end testing evaluates the functionality of the application in its entirety, simulating real-world scenarios from start to finish. It ensures that all components of the system work together as expected in a real-world environment.
How it works:
- Testers simulate end-user interactions and workflows, covering all the major use cases from start to finish.
- This testing checks for issues that may arise during the full cycle of operations, including data input, processing, and output.
When to use:
- Before a product is released to production, to ensure everything works as expected.
- After integrating new components or features into the system.
Benefits:
- It ensures that the entire system is functioning correctly and that all components are working together seamlessly.
- Helps identify issues that might occur during the full system operation.
Conclusion
Manual testing techniques are essential for ensuring the functionality, usability, and reliability of software. Each testing technique serves a different purpose and is suited for different stages of the software development lifecycle. As a tester, understanding these techniques and knowing when and how to apply them will enable you to identify defects early, improve the quality of the software, and contribute to a better user experience.
While automation testing can be an effective way to speed up repetitive tasks, manual testing remains a vital part of the overall testing strategy, especially for scenarios that require human intervention, judgment, and creativity. So, mastering these top 10 common manual testing techniques is crucial for every tester who wants to succeed in their career and deliver high-quality software. Consider taking a manual testing online course with certificate or QA manual testing training to sharpen your skills and explore career opportunities in the ever-evolving field of software testing.
