In the fast-paced world of software development, testers have a significant role as guardians of the quality Agile team, ensuring that the final product meets the users’ needs and is free of defects. They play a crucial role in detecting issues early in the development process, saving time and money for the team. In addition, testers collaborate with the development team, using automation and regular software evaluation to guarantee its success. They are essential to delivering an excellent quality product in Agile development, emphasizing speed and efficiency.

A survey published on ResearchGate by Jihyun Lee, Sungwon Kang, and Danhyung Lee in 2012 highlighted the importance of testers in Agile development. Organizations that implement testing early in the development process can detect and resolve defects at a much lower cost than those that test later. On average, organizations that test early in the development process report a 30% reduction in the price of resolving defects compared to those that test later.

Here are some of the ways testers can provide support to the team in Agile development:

Finding Defects Earlier

The research study conducted by Nick Ismail in 2017, which revealed the substantial annual loss of £37 billion due to failed Agile IT projects in the UK, underscores the need for improved project management strategies and effective risk mitigation in Agile development. In this context, software testers are paramount in addressing these challenges.

Software testers are essential in Agile development, emphasizing iterative development and frequent testing. By actively participating in Agile ceremonies and engaging in early testing, they identify potential defects early on, clarify requirements, and adhere to expected standards. Their involvement from the initial stages of development enables the timely identification and resolution of issues before they escalate, reducing the risks of project failures.

To ensure their effectiveness, software testers thrive in a dedicated and trained Agile team. This team focuses exclusively on the project’s success and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge related to Agile practices. Collaborating closely with developers and stakeholders, testers provide valuable feedback, conduct thorough testing, and validate the software against requirements. Their proactive approach and practical communication help prevent defects from becoming major obstacles, minimizing the financial losses associated with failed Agile IT projects.

Furthermore, the guidance of a dedicated Agile coach and the expertise of trained Agile practitioners enhance the team’s collaboration and effectiveness. The Agile coach facilitates adopting Agile practices, including effective testing strategies, while trained practitioners contribute their knowledge and experiences. Together, they create an environment that fosters early defect identification and prevention.

Collaboration and Communication

Testers collaborate closely with developers to ensure the product meets the requirements and customer expectations. Agile software testing requires testers to engage with the development team throughout the process actively. This includes participating in planning and design meetings, reviewing requirements and user stories, and providing feedback on the development process. Testers also collaborate with developers to develop test cases and plans that comply with the requirements and verify that the product is thoroughly tested. This collaboration allows testers to identify potential issues early in development, preventing defects from becoming more significant problems later.

Testers also work together with developers and product owners to create improvements and learn about the development cycle. The development method, which focuses on ensuring high-quality products and the early identification of defects, can also be taught to them. The collaboration between testers, developers, and product owners affirms that the product meets the requirements and expectations of the client, leading to an excellent final product.

Automation 

To emphasize agility and efficiency in software development, automation is a critical tool for improving the software testing process. Testers hold a pivotal position in ensuring the functionality of software aligns with expectations. To achieve this, they need proficiency in various areas, encompassing skills such as scripting automated tests.

Automation improves efficiency and reduces the need for manual testing. Testers can quickly and accurately conduct repetitive tests by creating automated test scripts. As a result, they may devote more time to delicate testing jobs. This quick feedback loop speeds up the overall development process.

Understanding the project’s requirements is indispensable for testers to excel in their roles. From the start, active participation in the development process gives testers insights into the project’s objectives, functions, and expected outcomes. Such early involvement makes it easier to align testing efforts with project goals and detect defects or difficulties early, limiting their impact on the final product.

Furthermore, automation testers should have a diverse set of technical skills. This includes programming language skills, as they may need to write and maintain automated test scripts using frameworks and tools that need programming knowledge. Familiarity with various test automation tools and methodologies is also required for efficient test script development and execution.

With these capabilities at their disposal, testers are adept at identifying and preventing defects early in the development lifecycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, software testers are not just the guardians of quality within Agile teams; they are the architects of success who play an indispensable role in ensuring a project’s success. Testers contribute as defect hunters during the development process and save the team valuable time and resources by identifying and resolving issues early in the development cycle through collaboration with other team members, automated testing, and software evaluation.

As Agile evolves, so too shall the role of the software tester, ever ready to embrace new challenges and raise the bar for quality in software development.

Author: Aldino Suprima, Software Quality Tester

References:

AgileMania. (n.d.). Role of Tester in Test-Driven Development (TDD). Retrieved from agilemania.com.

DevQA. (n.d.). Agile Testing Mindset: Tester Role in an Agile Team. Retrieved from devqa.io.

Kirby, S. (2018). UK wasting £37 billion a year on failed Agile IT projects. Retrieved from Information Age.

Lee, J., Kang, S., & Lee, D. (2012). Survey on software testing practices. Retrieved from ResearchGate.

Testsigma. (n.d.). 15 Must-Have Skills for a Top Automation Tester. Retrieved from testsigma.com.