The Human element in Testing

Ideas are floating, software fixes these ideas — and good Q&A and testing keeps the fixed ideas in place. Image credits: O. Ugbor.

A short reflection

I have often heard people say that automation would replace humans, and I silently laugh at those remarks.

Picture this: You’re testing a new feature, and suddenly, you stumble upon a bug that no automated script could have predicted. It’s moments like these that remind us why the human touch is irreplaceable in software testing.

Software testing is a critical phase in the development process to ensure that the product meets the desired quality standards. While automation has its place in testing, the human element remains invaluable. In this blog post, we delve into the importance of the human touch in testing, balancing the human element with automation testing, and exploring the soft skills that make testers invaluable contributors to the software development process.

The vital role of Software Testers

Human vs automated testing

First, a brief look at two different approaches to Software Testing.

Human/Manual Testing: As the name implies, human/manual testing is when a human tester interacts directly with a software application, checking its features, usability, and performance without using any automated tools. It’s like a person using the software, exploring different parts to make sure everything works as intended.

Automation Testing: Automation testing involves using special tools and scripts to automatically run test cases on a software application. Instead of a person doing each test manually, a script (like a set of instructions) is created to do the testing automatically. This is helpful for repetitive tasks and making sure nothing breaks when new changes are made to the software.

The case for human testing

In the process of creating software, testers act as quality guardians, meticulously checking for defects, collaborating closely with developers, and ensuring the final product meets high standards of reliability and user satisfaction.

If you have a lot of moving parts in your software, it might be unfeasible to figure out all the possible user interactions beforehand: manually testing the software is a necessity, not a luxury. Image credits: O. Ugbor.

1. Critical thinking. This goes beyond executing test cases; it is the ability to think critically out of the box to uncover vulnerabilities and design test cases that cover a wide range of scenarios, including edge cases and boundary conditions. This ensures comprehensive test coverage that would not be completely possible in a purely automated testing environment. Furthermore, critical thinking allows testers to approach problems creatively and come up with innovative solutions. When faced with a bug or unexpected behavior, critical thinking enables testers to dig deep into the root cause and formulate a plan to address it effectively-ways that automation tools currently cannot fully replicate.
2. Empathy: Advocating for the End-User. Testers serve as advocates for end-users, and it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of human empathy in testing. Advocating for the end-user requires a deep understanding of their needs, frustrations, and experiences. Testers, by putting themselves in the shoes of the users, can develop more comprehensive test scenarios that mirror real-world usage. They can anticipate how users might interact with the software in unexpected ways and design tests to account for these variables. Unlike automation tools that excel at executing repetitive tasks quickly, human testers bring context and nuance to the table.
3. Attention to Detail. Detail is detail, whether it is minor or major. Manual testers play a crucial role in assessing the user experience (UX) of an application, particularly in terms of usability and user interaction. For instance, consider the checkout process of an e-commerce website. A manual tester can meticulously examine each step of the checkout flow, paying attention to details such as error messages, the clarity of call-to-action buttons etc. They can simulate various scenarios, such as entering incorrect payment information or abandoning the checkout midway, to ensure that the UX remains smooth and intuitive for users. By closely scrutinizing these aspects, manual testers can identify potential friction points that may affect user satisfaction and conversion rates, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the application. Unlike automated testing, which focuses primarily on functional validation, manual testing allows testers to empathize with users and perceive the application from a human perspective, enabling them to detect subtle errors that automation tools may overlook. This human-centric approach to UX testing is invaluable in ensuring that software products meet the expectations and needs of their target audience, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of manual testers in delivering exceptional user experiences.
4. Time resolution and Collaboration. Manual testers distinguish themselves by their ability to collaborate effectively within tight deadlines, a skill that automation testing cannot fully replicate. Unlike automated processes, manual testers can engage in dynamic discussions with developers, swiftly identifying issues and working collaboratively to find resolutions within demanding timeframes. This human touch in communication and collaboration ensures that software defects are addressed promptly, contributing to the timely delivery of high-quality software products. It underscores the irreplaceable role of human testers in driving efficient problem-solving and project success, highlighting their unique capabilities that automation tools cannot fully substitute.

Orchestrating Harmony between Human Testers and Automation

While some adversarial approach to quality testing is not uncommon, we are all one team. With different ways and roles, we all strive at one shared goal, and that is: to deliver a great experience to our users. Image credits: O. Ugbor.

While automation tools certainly have their merits, there’s a unique depth and intuition that human testers bring to the table. It’s this human touch that can unravel complexities, understand subtle errors, and ultimately ensure a more effective testing process.

1. Test Suitability. Choosing between manual and automation testing depends on the specific requirements of the tests. Manual testing shines in scenarios where human intuition and creativity play a vital role, particularly in exploratory testing. For instance, let’s say we’re testing a new e-commerce platform where users can customize their shopping experience. In this case, manual testing allows us to simulate various user journeys, exploring different customization options and assessing the overall user experience. We can also conduct usability testing to identify any design flaws or usability issues that may arise. On the other hand, automation testing is ideal for handling repetitive and predictable tasks, especially in scenarios with well-defined inputs and expected outcomes. For example, when testing a login feature, we can automate the process of entering credentials, verifying authentication, and logging out, saving time and ensuring consistency across multiple test runs. By automating repetitive tasks, we free up valuable time for testers to focus on more complex scenarios that require human judgment and creativity.
2. Feedback Loop with Developers. Central to successful software development is the seamless collaboration between testers and developers. Manual testing, with its inherent human touch, fosters a dynamic feedback loop that encourages real-time communication and collaboration. Manual testers actively engage with developers, providing immediate insights and observations on the software under test. This direct collaboration enables developers to promptly address issues, refine functionalities, and iterate on the software, resulting in a more agile and responsive development process. In contrast, automation testing, while valuable for certain tasks, may introduce delays in the feedback loop due to the time required for script development and execution. This delay can hinder effective collaboration, impeding the rapid resolution of issues and possibly impacting the overall quality of the software. Therefore, the human element of manual testing remains indispensable as this leads too continuous improvement in software development.
3. Regression Testing. Regression testing, a critical aspect of software testing, focuses on verifying that existing functionalities remain intact after code changes or updates. Automation testing shines in this area by efficiently executing repetitive test cases to validate the stability of the software across multiple iterations. For example, in an e-commerce application, suppose a new feature is added to the checkout process to support multiple payment methods. Automated regression tests can verify that existing payment options, such as credit card and PayPal, continue to function correctly after the implementation of this new feature. Additionally, automated test scripts can be configured to run after each deployment, ensuring that no unintended side effects occur due to code changes. However, while manual testing can also be effective for smaller-scale regression testing, it may become cumbersome and time-consuming for larger and more complex applications. For instance, in a financial software system, conducting manual regression testing for every module and integration point after a major system upgrade can be labor-intensive and prone to human error. Manual testers may struggle to cover all possible scenarios manually, leading to potential oversights or delays in identifying regression issues. Therefore, leveraging automation for regression testing can significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of the testing process.
4. Scalability. Automation testing offers scalability by enabling testers to create a comprehensive suite of automated test scripts that can cover a wide range of test scenarios across the entire application. For example, in an e-commerce platform, as new features like user reviews and recommendation algorithms are introduced, manual testing may become insufficient to cover all possible test scenarios within a reasonable timeframe. However, with automation testing, testers can efficiently validate both existing and newly added features by executing automated tests repeatedly and consistently. As the application continues to evolve and grow in complexity, the automation framework can seamlessly handle the increasing number of test cases without requiring a proportional increase in testing effort. Testers can continue to expand the automation suite to cover evolving requirements, ensuring thorough validation of the application without sacrificing efficiency.

My conclusion

While automation testing streamlines processes, the human touch in manual testing is irreplaceable. From understanding user experiences to fostering collaboration and agility in software development, human testers bring essential qualities that ensure software quality and user satisfaction. By embracing the strengths of both approaches, organizations can achieve optimal testing outcomes and deliver exceptional software products.

Blog by Ogechi Ugbor, edited by Riccardo Vincelli and brought to you by the engineering team at Sharesquare.