Test Execution: Everything You Need To Know

Test Execution is all about running tests to see if your product or application performs as expected. After development, we move into the testing phase, where different testing techniques are applied, and test cases are created and executed.

In this article, we’ll dive into what test execution involves and how it helps ensure your software meets the desired results.

What is Test Execution? 

Test Execution is where you run tests to ensure your code, functions, or modules are delivering the results you expect based on your client or business requirements.

In this phase, you will categorize and execute tests according to a detailed test plan. This plan breaks down the application into smaller components and includes specific test cases for each. You might choose to write and run these tests manually, use test scripts, or go for automated testing. If any errors pop up, you will report them so the development team can address the issues. Once your tests show successful results, your application is ready for deployment, with everything properly set up for the final stage.

Significance of Test Execution

Test execution takes your software projects to the next level by ensuring they run smoothly and meet global standards. When test results align with your goals, it means that you are ready to launch the product.

The phase of test execution evaluates how well everyone has contributed to the project and checks if the requirements were gathered, understood, and integrated correctly into the design. By focusing on each test case—whether it's a major task like database operations or smaller details like page load times—you can significantly improve your application’s quality and support your business growth.

After executing tests, you gather important data, such as which tests failed, why they failed, and any associated bugs. With this information you can easily track the progress of your testing and development teams as you release updates in future sprints.

Now let us learn which activities you need to include during test execution to leverage the above-mentioned significance. 

Activities in Test Execution 

To have better test execution, developers need to be very particular in the including right test activities. This is because it allows easy identification of bugs and issues, and their early fixation. Let us learn about those test activities in brief: 

• Defect Finding and Reporting: When you run your tests, you will identify any bugs or errors. If something goes wrong, you will record the issue and let your development team know. Sometimes, users might also spot bugs during acceptance testing and report them to developers. The developers then fix these issues based on your reports.

• Defect Mapping: Once the development team has addressed the bugs, you need to include test activities of re-testing. This involves testing of the unit or component of a software application to ensure everything now works as expected.

• Re-Testing: Re-Testing means running the tests again to confirm that no new issues have appeared, especially after adding new features. This helps you to ensure a smooth release.

• Regression Testing: It verifies that recent modifications have not interfered with current features of the software application. This makes sure the continuous working of your application.

• System Integration Testing: This involves testing the entire system at one time to confirm that all components operate smoothly together. 

Stages of Test Execution

Following are the stages of test execution that you need to follow: 

Test Planning or Preparation

Before you move into test execution, you need to make sure that you have everything set. This means finalizing your test plan, designing test cases, and setting up your tools. You should have a process for tracking test data and reporting defects, with clear instructions available for your team. Your preparation should cover:

• Designing your test strategy

• Defining objectives and criteria

• Determining deliverables

• Ensuring all resources are ready

• Setting up the test environment

• Providing necessary tools to your testers

Test Execution 

With everything in place, it's time to execute your test cases. Testers will run the code, compare the expected results with the actual outcomes, and mark the status of each test case. You will need to report, log, and map any defects. This stage also involves retesting to confirm that issues have been resolved and regression testing to ensure that fixes haven’t introduced new issue. It involves steps like creating test case, writing the test script and then running the test case. 

Test Evaluation 

After execution, check that if you have met all your deliverables and exit criteria. This means verifying that all tests were run, defects were logged and addressed, and summary reports are prepared. 

Now let us be more specific to test execution and see what the different ways are we can use to execute the test of software applications. 

Ways to Perform Test Execution

• Run Test Cases

  Simply run your test cases on your local machine. You can enhance this by combining it with other elements like test plans and test environments to streamline your process.

• Run Test Suites

  Use test suites to execute multiple test cases together. You can run them sequentially or in parallel, depending on whether the outcome of one test relies on the previous one.

• Record Test Execution

  Document your test case and test suite executions. This practice helps reduce errors and improves the efficiency of your testing by keeping track of your progress.

• Generate Test Results without Execution

  Sometimes, you can generate test results for cases that haven’t been executed yet. This approach helps ensure you have comprehensive test coverage.

• Modify Execution Variables

  Adjust execution variables in your test scripts to fit different test scenarios. This flexibility allows you to tailor tests to specific needs.

• Run Automated and Manual Tests

  Decide whether to run your tests manually or automate them. Each method has its advantages, so choose based on what works best for your situation.

  
  

• Schedule Test Artefacts

  Use artefacts like videos, screenshots, and data reports to document past tests. This helps you review previous results and plan for future testing.

  
  

• Track Defects

  Keep track of any defects that arise during testing. Identifying what went wrong and where helps you address issues effectively and improves your overall testing process.

Now knowing the different ways by which you can run the test execution, it is important to note the current state of test execution. But how? Read the below section. 

States of Test Execution

Having good understanding of the test execution states will help developer to manage the test process. It helps to measure the progress and evaluate whether their software is functioning as expected. Here’s a quick guide to the key execution states:

• Pass: Your test has run successfully and achieved the intended results, showing that everything is working as it should.

• Fail: The test did not meet your expected results.

• Inconclusive: The test outcome is not at all clear. 

• Block: The test cannot be executed because some requirements have yet to be met. You will need to resolve these issues before proceeding.

• Deferred: The test has not been run yet but is planned for a future phase or release.

• In Progress: The test is currently underway, and you are actively executing it.

• Not Run: The test has not been started so no results are available yet.

Best Practice for Test Execution 

Here’s how you can ensure a smooth test execution process:

• Write Test Cases

  Create detailed test cases for each module of your function. This step helps in assessing every part of your application effectively.

  
  

• Assign Test Cases

  Allocate these test cases to their respective modules or functions. Proper assignment ensures that each area of your application is tested thoroughly.

  
  

• Perform Testing

  Carry out both manual and automated testing to achieve accurate results. This combined approach helps cover all bases.

  
  

• Choose an Automated Tool

  Select a suitable automated testing tool for your application. The right tool can streamline your testing process and improve efficiency.

  
  

• Set Up the Test Environment

  Ensure your test environment is correctly set up. This setup is crucial for simulating real-world conditions and obtaining reliable results.

  
  

• Record Execution Status

  Document the status of each test case and track how long the system takes to complete them. This helps in analyzing performance and identifying bottlenecks.

  
  

• Report Results

  Regularly report both successful and failed test results to the development team. Keeping them informed helps in quick resolution of issues.

  
  

• Recheck Failed Tests

  Monitor and recheck any previously failed test cases. Update the team on any progress or persistent issues to ensure continuous improvement.

Conclusion

In your software development life cycle, Test execution is crucial for spotting defects, bugs, and issues. It’s an integral part of the testing process, helping you ensure that your product meets end-user requirements and delivers the right services. By focusing on Test execution, you can create a more reliable and user-friendly product.