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The software development life cycle is a structured process encompassing various testing types, each with a unique purpose. Among these testing types, Sanity Testing stands out as a critical phase aimed at ensuring the stability and functionality of a software build.
In this article, we delve into the details of building an effective Sanity Testing Strategy, covering its objectives, checklist, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Sanity testing, often considered a subset of regression testing, plays a pivotal role in the early stages of SDLC.
Its goal is to assess whether the core functionalities of an application are working as expected. Unlike scripted tests, Sanity Testing is usually unscripted, focusing on limited functionalities at a time. Testers, rather than automated tools, perform it comprehensively to provide a quick snapshot of the software’s current state.
A well-executed sanity testing strategy serves as a health check for your software product. It answers essential questions that guide further testing efforts:
- Is the primary use case of the product functioning correctly?
- Are customer-facing features performing without glitches?
- Are the most critical features essential for core operation working flawlessly?
- Are the features most frequently used by users behaving as expected?
- Are the features promised in the specific release functioning as intended?
- Is there no critical issue that would render the application unusable?
Addressing these questions allows you to make informed decisions. If Sanity Testing fails, the application is sent back to the developer for troubleshooting, preventing issues from progressing further. However, if it succeeds, the software proceeds to thorough System Testing.
Sanity Testing should be conducted under specific circ*mstances:
- After minor changes in the code.
- Following the resolution of reported bugs.
- Before deploying the software into production.
To create an effective Sanity Testing Strategy, consider the following checklist:
- Spend time systematically exploring the product to understand its behavior and interactions.
- Create a mental model of the entire product to identify areas that require testing.
- Group users by behavior or personas to understand typical usage patterns.
- Align your testing strategy with user behavior and focus on critical flows.
- Regularly update your sanity test suite to reflect changes in features, bug fixes, and priorities.
- Remove or update tests that no longer serve the purpose of identifying critical issues.
- Keep sanity testing documentation focused on critical areas.
- Consider using checklists, guidewords, and mind maps for quick review, updates, and execution.
- Ensure that your sanity and regression test suites complement each other.
- Modify the regression suite based on the results of sanity testing to optimize testing efforts.
Advantages
- Ensures new functionality doesn’t cause major issues.
- Quickly evaluates software readiness for further testing.
- Saves time and resources by preventing broken software from progressing.
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t thoroughly test software functionality.
- Limited scope, minor issues may go unnoticed.
- Focuses on readiness for further testing, not exhaustive functionality testing.
Sanity Testing is a fundamental element in ensuring software quality. It serves as the first line of defense against critical issues, providing quick feedback on the health of a software build. By systematically modeling the product, understanding user behavior, and following a well-structured checklist, teams can create an effective sanity test suite. Regular updates and integration with regression testing further strengthen the strategy.
