Happy Path Testing verifies system functionality without including exceptions, unexpected inputs, or user error.  It assumes a test’s expected inputs will lead to its expected results.  Happy Path Testing does not simulate real-word conditions, it only considers best case scenarios.  Although Happy Path Testing is great for confirming basic requirement functionality, it is not useful for detecting bugs or verifying data.     

Happy Path Testing is a common fallback for organizations who use their own internal resources for software testing.  Employees must execute testing in addition to performing their regular job responsibilities.  Everyone is pinched.  Bandwidth is slim.  Nerves are frayed.  It’s the path of least resistance.  Unfortunately, the amount of time “saved” by choosing the Happy Path is later made up for in spades once missed defects are inevitably found in production.    

Engaging a third party to thoroughly test your software is crucial.  Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and testing is iLAB’s focused area of expertise.  At iLAB, independent SQA and testing is not an afterthought.   

Here are six additional types of testing that iLAB SQA and testing professionals can help your organization pursue to keep your software defect free and functioning at peak capability:   

Data Conversion Testing 

Does your project require one data format to be converted into another data format? If so, Data Conversion Testing is necessary to ensure the converted data format can be properly processed by the system.  Incompatibility errors can cause massive file corruption or data loss. It could also cause your system to flat out not work.  To eliminate these risks, extensive Data Conversion Testing should be performed before, during, and after data migration.  Data conversion is an enormous piece of an implementation.  Insufficient testing in this area could be catastrophic.    

Data Migration Testing 

Once data is converted it must be migrated.  Data Migration Testing verifies data integrity as it moves from one location to another.  A failed or incorrect data migration will affect system functionality and likely push back the go-live date. 

User Acceptance Testing 

The importance of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is ensuring that the system as designed meets its intended use.  Unforeseen user experience and performance issues can also be discovered.  If no third-party tester is present, UAT is usually conducted by the business shortly before go-live.  Business resources are often not available, not competent, or not interested.  Vendor and internal frustration from UAT setbacks can occur.        

Performance Testing 

Performance Testing is valuable because it confirms a system’s responsiveness and stability under a predetermined workload.  The system must be able to handle user demands.  Performance testing also establishes how far a system can be pushed and its limitations.  If organizations don’t consider Performance Testing during test planning, load defects will not be discovered until after the system is in production.  Production defects are much more expensive and difficult to fix.  They create more chaos than those found earlier in the software development lifecycle. 

Regression Testing 

The addition of a software update may affect existing functionality.  Regression Testing checks that the software functionality is the same before and after releasing an update. This testing is frequently bypassed because of resource and time constraints.  The price paid is undiscovered defects, which will eventually cause havoc, and an unreliable system. 

Mobile Testing 

In today’s world, “there’s an app for that”!  Mobile Testing is the method used to test smartphone or tablet applications for functionality, usability, and performance.  Mobile consumers are extremely demanding about their in-application experience.  If a company’s mobile application does not work correctly, its target consumer will likely never open it again.     

SQA and Testing is Our Core Business…Put Yourself on the Happy Path to Success with iLAB!   

Partnering with iLAB puts your organization on the true Happy Path, the path to success.  Organizations tend to get caught up in the larger components of an upgrade but forget or don’t have time for the details.  Details that iLAB’s Independent SQA and testing services can help plan, schedule, and accomplish.   

For more information on any of our content, or for help with your project, get in touch!