Apart from special situations in less structured companies, those involved in Application Testing are a figure distinct from the programmer and the user. A situation that benefits the reliability of operations and the greater ability to step into the shoes of a user unaware of what is happening at the IT system level, behind the monitor screen.
As often happens, however, the separation of tasks also represents a potential source of problems, given that regular discussion with all parties involved is not always easy or is simply not taken into due consideration. Working at different levels, sometimes even in different places, risks calling into question the visibility necessary to evaluate the performance of business applications.
Functionality and efficiency, different aspects of the same problem
To give an example of what we argued in the previous paragraph, code written exclusively according to the habits of programmers is not necessarily an advantage in terms of functionality. Especially in the early stages, sometimes the aim is to simply achieve the correct functioning of applications. Aspects such as optimization and ease of use even from the perspective of a user who is not necessarily knowledgeable in technology are not always given due consideration.
It is therefore a different matter from actual efficiency, understood as the possibility of performing a task. Here we enter the field of easily understanding how to do it, in how long and as independently as possible. In summary, let’s talk about dedicating the time necessary to create user-friendly software.
On the other hand, even those responsible for the tests themselves are called upon to organize their work properly. Clear tests for objectives, procedures and evaluation of results benefit those who will have to carry them out and interpret them. Any doubt, however, easily turns into a drop in reliability. On the one hand, certainty, for example, about test planning and intervention procedures. On the other, also a certain flexibility on which modules to test and when, ready to intervene in the face of sudden dysfunctions.
Application Testing: the importance in choosing tools
It is also essential to choose the right tools. Not so much for an Application Testing activity in general, but because they are able to adapt to their own reality. More than asking colleagues in the sector, it is even more useful to rely on expert consultants on the subject. Professionals who have an all-round vision of the many possible scenarios, also able to focus on their reality and therefore recommend the solution with the right personalized component. In this case, thinking about saving by relying on predefined standard packages risks soon turning into a non-return on investment.
Once the tests have been performed, you must then be able to interpret them by looking beyond the simple numbers. If the evaluation is out of the question regarding actual operating errors, when examining aspects such as efficiency or ease of use, the type of user must also be taken into consideration. A professional who is practical in using a PC will have less need for a simple, guided interface than a sales assistant or counter clerk instead. Also useful at this stage, where possible, is as much direct feedback as possible from those directly involved. More generally, the more the Application Testing person can empathise with the end user, the more reliable and close the results will be.
However, the situation changes when software does not provide a user interface. That is, applications intended to manage the various systems and services in the backoffice. In this case, the contribution of the designers from the early stages is fundamental. Documentation, dialogue and inclusion of comments in the code all contribute significantly to maintenance and extending the life cycle, including testing.
When talking about Application Testing, the strategic importance of communication between the respective working groups should emerge at this point. Listening to the needs of testers before starting to write code helps understanding in the subsequent phases and, in turn, allows us to provide more precise indications on where and how to intervene. On the other front, it is important to listen to those who use the software every day, to identify critical points beyond aspects such as speed, graphics or reliability. First of all, enable them to understand where and what a problem can be, how to describe it and how to communicate it. Availability and communication are thus quickly transformed into efficiency.