Software Testing Strategies | A testing guide for the 2020s

Unlock the true potential of software testing to achieve seamless software performance with this comprehensive guide

Key Features

• Gain a solid understanding of software testing and master its multifaceted strategies
• Empower yourself to effectively overcome software testing challenges
• Develop actionable real-world testing skills for succeeding in any role
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

In today’s world, software is everywhere—from entertainment apps to mission-critical systems that support our health, finance, and infrastructure. Testing plays a vital role in ensuring these systems work reliably. Whether you're a software developer, hobbyist, or IT professional, this book will guide you in mastering the art of testing. It’s about asking the right "What if?" questions, uncovering vulnerabilities, and ensuring software performs as expected throughout its lifecycle.

Testing isn't just about automation; it’s a human-driven, creative process that requires skill, and a deep understanding of software behavior. With practical examples and expert insights, this book helps you craft your own test strategies and explore novel approaches to problem-solving in the testing world. With its help, you’ll hone your testing skills with techniques and methodologies rather than tool-based solutions.

Authored by experts Matt Heusser and Michael Larson, the book provides valuable strategies for making testing both effective and engaging. Matt is known for his leadership in project rescue initiatives, while Michael’s work in accessibility testing has helped shape industry standards.

By the end of this book, you’ll be equipped to enhance your testing practices and ensure high-quality software in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

What you will learn

• Explore accessibility, functional testing, performance testing, and more as an integral part of testing
• Find out how to implement a wide range of testing approaches
• Develop the skills needed to create effective testing strategies tailored to your project's needs
• Discover how to prioritize and execute the most impactful test ideas
• Gain insight into when and how to apply different testing elements
• Defend your chosen testing strategy with a comprehensive understanding of its components

Who this book is for

This book is for a broad spectrum of professionals engaged in software development, including programmers, testers, and DevOps specialists. Tailored to those who aspire to elevate their testing practices beyond the basics, the book caters to anyone seeking practical insights and strategies to master the nuanced interplay between human intuition and automation. Whether you are a seasoned developer, meticulous tester, or DevOps professional, this comprehensive guide offers a transformative roadmap to become an adept strategist in the dynamic realm of software quality assurance.

Table of Contents

1. Testing and Designing Tests
2. Fundamental Issues in Tooling and Automation
3. Programmer-Facing Testing
4. Customer-Facing Tests
5. Specialized Testing
6. Testing Related Skills
7. Test Data Management
8. Delivery Models and Testing
9. The Puzzle Pieces of Good Testing
10. Putting Your Test Strategy Together
11. Lean Software Testing
12. Case Studies and Experience Reports
13. Testing Activities or a Testing Role?
14. Philosophy and Ethics in Software Testing
15. Words and Language About Work
16. Testing Strategy Applied

Matt Heusser is the Managing Director at Excelon Development, where he specializes in Software Delivery, DevOps, and Testing across diverse industries such as software, fintech, and automotive. With a Master's degree from Grand Valley State University and a remarkable track record, Matt has earned international recognition through awards and delivered keynote speeches that have left lasting impressions. Matt's legacy in the tech world includes pioneering the world's first multi-user distributed spreadsheet, a groundbreaking innovation that predates even Google Sheets. His expertise extends to project rescue initiatives, including one initiated by BMW's board of directors, where he demonstrated his exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills. In addition to his hands-on contributions, Matt has effectively managed API test development teams and provided invaluable support to developers. Matt Heusser's career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology, delivering outstanding results, and inspiring the next generation of innovators in the software and technology landscape.

Over the past decade, Michael has been actively engaged in the realm of software testing, focusing on audits and testing fixes in alignment with U.S. Section 508 and E.U. WCAG accessibility standards. His commitment extends beyond testing, as he is equally passionate about promoting accessibility and inclusive design through talks and training sessions. Michael leverages a diverse set of tools, including Axe, Lighthouse, Wave, VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA, ColorContrast Analyzer, among others, to facilitate the accessibility testing process. He has played a pivotal role in urging organizations to prioritize accessibility considerations in their software development and testing endeavors. Moreover, Michael possesses a knack for uncovering issues within systems, collaborating with developers to rectify them, and assisting customers in devising innovative solutions. His overarching mission is to nurture and lead top-notch testers and test teams, fostering a culture of excellence in the field. With an extensive career spanning three decades, Michael has lent his expertise to various product domains and industries, encompassing network routers and switches, virtual machines, capacitance touch devices, video games, and a wide spectrum of client/server, distributed database, and web applications. Beyond his software testing endeavors, Michael boasts an impressive array of achievements and affiliations. He holds a Black Belt certification from the Miagi-Do School of Software Testing, co-founded and facilitates the Americas chapter of Weekend Testing, serves as a director for the Association for Software Testing (AST), leads instruction for the Black Box Software Testing courses offered by AST, curates training materials for the SummerQAmp initiative, and currently holds a position on the board of the Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference (PNSQC).