Mobile apps have become essential to our daily lives, and businesses are investing in mobile app development to cater to the growing demand. However, a mobile app’s success only partially depends on its development; it requires a robust mobile testing strategy. In this blog, we’ll discuss a three-step mobile testing strategy that includes mobile app security testing and mobile app performance testing, which are critical components of mobile app testing.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Planning and preparation
The first step in any mobile testing strategy is planning and preparation. This phase is critical as it sets the foundation for the testing process. In this phase, you must define the testing scope, identify the target devices and platforms, create test cases and scenarios, set up the testing environment, and create a test plan.
- Define the testing scope:
The first step in planning and preparation is defining the testing scope. The testing scope defines the boundaries and objectives of your testing process. Establishing clear and concise goals that align with the project’s overall objectives is essential. This includes determining the types of tests that need to be conducted, identifying the critical areas of the app that require testing, and establishing the expected outcome of the testing process.
- Identify the target devices and platforms:
Identify the target devices and platforms in this step. Testing the app on various instruments and platforms ensures it works flawlessly on all devices. This includes smartphones, tablets, and other popular mobile devices with your target audience. It’s also important to consider the operating systems and versions the target audience uses.
- Create test cases and scenarios:
The next step is to create test cases and scenarios. Test cases are specific conditions that the app must meet to pass the test. Test scenarios are a combination of test cases that simulate real-life situations that the app may encounter. It’s essential to create a comprehensive set of test cases and scenarios that cover all aspects of the app, including its functionality, user interface, and performance.
- Set up the testing environment:
Next, set up the testing environment. The testing environment includes the hardware and software required to conduct the testing process. This comprises the devices, emulators, simulators, testing tools, and other software needed to run the app on different platforms and operating systems.
- Create a test plan:
The final step in planning and preparation is to create a test plan. The test plan outlines the testing process and details how the testing will be conducted. It includes the testing scope, test cases and scenarios, testing environment, testing timeline, and resources required for the testing process. The test plan ensures that the testing process is executed consistently and efficiently.
Step 2: Test execution
After planning and preparing for mobile app testing, the next step is test execution. Execute the tests and evaluate the app’s functionality, security, and performance.
- Test environment setup:
Before executing tests, it’s essential to set up the test environment properly. The test environment should replicate the app’s production environment, including the same hardware and software configurations, network conditions, and device types. This ensures that the test results accurately reflect the app’s real-world performance.
- Test case execution:
Once the test environment is set up, execute the test cases. Test cases are scenarios that simulate user interactions with the app. They should cover all the app’s features and functionalities, including edge cases and negative scenarios. Test cases can be automated or manual, depending on the testing approach.
- Defect reporting:
During test execution, any issues that are discovered should be reported as defects. Defect reporting should include a clear description of the issue, steps to reproduce the issue, and any relevant screenshots or logs. It’s essential to report defects promptly to the development team so they can address them as soon as possible.
- Test data management:
Test data management involves creating and managing test data used during test execution. Test data should include various scenarios and data types, including different user roles, data input variations, and test scenarios.
Step 3: Test reporting and analysis
Test reporting and analysis are the final steps in a three-step mobile testing strategy. Once the testing is complete, you must analyze the results and create a test report. The test report should contain all the relevant information, including the testing scope, test cases and scenarios, testing environment, testing timeline, and resources used.
- Analyze test results:
The first step in test reporting and analysis is to analyze the test results. Reviewing the test results thoroughly and identifying any issues discovered during testing is essential. This includes identifying defects, errors, and bugs encountered during testing.
- Create a test report:
The next step is to create a test report. The test report should contain all the relevant information about the testing process, including the testing scope, test cases and scenarios, testing environment, testing timeline, and resources used. It should also include a summary of the test results, including any defects, errors, and bugs encountered during testing.
- Prioritize and communicate defects:
The next step is to prioritize and communicate defects. It’s essential to prioritize defects based on their severity and impact on the app’s functionality, security, and performance. It’s also necessary to promptly communicate the weaknesses to the development team and the test report. This helps the development team focus on the most critical issues first.
- Retest and validate fixes:Automated Regression Intelligence Tool – HeadSpin
The final step is to retest and validate fixes. Once the development team has fixed the defects, it’s essential to retest the app to ensure that the issues have been resolved. This includes validating the fixes to ensure they keep new problems from the app. It’s also essential to conduct regression testing to ensure the fixes have not affected the app’s functionality.
Conclusion
A robust mobile testing strategy is critical to the success of any mobile app. With the growing number of mobile devices and increasing security threats and performance issues, mobile app security and performance testing are more important than ever. Following a three-step mobile testing strategy, including mobile app security testing and performance testing, ensure your app is secure, performs well, and meets your users’ expectations.