Maximize Test Coverage in a less time

Jan 1, 2020

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A major question in testing – how to cover the maximum areas in a software application in least possible time? What strategies need to be adopted to achieve a complete coverage of a system under test. A partially tested product shall serve no rightful purpose.

Test Coverage defines to what extent a tester is able to cover the entire application. Test coverage technique helps to keep a check on the quality of testing this helping testers to create tests to capture the uncovered areas.

Test coverage primarily deals with 'testing every requirement' at least once. This activity is generally carried out by the QA team.

For instance, if there are five requirements and we have created 50 tests. It so happens that these 50 test cases cover all the 5 requirements, then the test coverage is said to be adequate.

How to adopt a proper test coverage method ?

A tester must be aware of the various tasks to be performed in the process of testing a product. One factor worth considering is preparing a traceability matrix which helps a tester to match the requirements with the test cases.

A traceability matrix requires a tester to preparing test scenarios, defining objectives and then eventually prepare test cases based on requirement specifications like – business requirement document, functional specification document and technical design document. The overall document thus prepared is called requirement traceability matrix.

The second thing which needs attention is to check resource assignment and test execution process.

A sample traceability matrix is as follows :

Test Type	Total Cases	Executed Cases	Status
Functional	100	70	40 pass,30 fail
Compatibility	100	50	30 pass, 20 fail
Usability	100	100	98 pass, 2 fail

Critical Areas for Effective Testing Method :

• Resource Jumbling -Interchange tasks among team members for better insight into an issue
• Compatibility Coverage –This includes testing across various browser platforms and operating systems
• Ownership –Testers must own their work, that is, they must be granted the freedom to apply their own ingenuity in carrying out tests
• Deadlines –Effective planning should be done keeping in mind the deadline date
• Communication –It is important to develop frequent communications with the development team to be aware of changes

Advantages of Test Coverage :

• Efficient test coverage implementation helps avoid leaving out on any requirement.
• Helps in prioritizing various tasks.
• Helps to analyse impacts of any change that takes place.

Conclusion :

Testing is crucial ,we are aware of the fact. Hence a tester must pay attention to every detail in the requirement specification and devise a test strategy accordingly. A test can never be complete without careful consideration to the various requirements because a product must deliver what is expected of it.

Maximum test coverage is therefore guaranteed when a tester is fully prepared with the test plan, test cases, test strategy etc. With a planned approach one may proceed towards achievement of the desired objectives.