subject: Test Software from a Functional Perspective Using Functional Testing Technique! [print this page] Test Software from a Functional Perspective Using Functional Testing Technique!
Every tester is expected to begin with the basic level of testing process, functional testing. Though often looked upon as a technical limitation' by some experts, it constitutes the core of testing space. The main objective of functional testing is to test the software from a functional perspective and perform its quality assurance. Whatever is visible on the monitor, it needs to be tested from a functional point of view.
The tester needs to ascertain the offerings from the interface. In a common scenario, business needs are not specified lucidly to the tester and yet the tester is expected to deliver quality test' results of the software. Functional testing encompasses multiple steps.
To get started with functional testing, the tester is supposed to prepare a comprehensive test plan', which entails crystal-clear steps and procedures to be undertaken by the testing team for testing the project holistically. Once this test plan receives a green signal', a test route is taken by the testing team. This route often begins with a functional testing. All the specifications need to be taken into account and considered thoughtfully before the tester actually gets started with the testing process.
Over the years, it has been observed that the expected response from the users did not surface and the project also went much over the budget only because of the reason that the specifications were not laid out properly to the testing staff to comprehend. This many a times resulted in flawed software being released into the market with disastrous results. Here, the crucial role of a project manager comes into the picture. The concerned project manager is supposed to make the testing staff completely understand the business requirements before staring functional testing.
Once the testing staff comprehends the specific business requirements, the testers can get started with identifying the test scenarios and listing them down one by one. However, it's equally important to understand that here one requirement can direct to one or multiple scenarios. For a particular test scenario, there necessarily have to be an input and an output. Once these scenarios get confirmed, the testers can go ahead with the test cases. Once the test cases are documented properly, it's easy to view the bugs or any feedback/insights. Then, regression testing is carried out in which these bugs are re-test the bugs to validate the fixes. Hence, the software is tested from a functional point of view.
