How to Execute Seamless Regression Testing In an Agile Framework?

Agile teams in product based-companies call for a solution that reduces the product’s time to market. But the name of the game of fast speed, is adaptability, fast learning, and resilience. 

Regression testing in agile is something that can help you achieve high velocity. 

Regression testing in software testing is a technique of re-running functional and non-functional tests to ensure that previously developed and tested features of the tool perform the way they should when modifications are done in the code ensures continued business functionality and maintains stability in software at every phase of a product’s increment.

Regression testing regarding agile enables teams to develop and implement new features in sprints without disturbing the overall functionality. Even though regression testing in software engineering has shown dramatic change, still there is a significant gap in executing regression testing in an agile framework.         

In this article, you will find an elaborative view of regression testing applications’ possible challenges and strategies that can help agile teams achieve greater speed and deliver better product quality. 

What is the need for regression testing?

A web application development necessitates a large amount of complex and massive code. Adding a new function to an existing application may have a variety of consequences for the entire application structure. It is capable of producing minute errors that are very taxing. When a developer resolves an issue, it will affect other parts of the app.

Regression testing is necessary for this situation. Regression is a term used to describe a current software program that is checked to ensure that any improvements or enhancements do not break existing features. Such types of testing in agile ensures that all of the code’s interdependencies fit together smoothly.

When to perform Regression testing?

After any update to the code base, regression testing should be performed. It is possible to strike a balance between rapid growth and regular testing if testing is done right at the outset. It is frequently checked with each new feature in most cases, and software regression testing should be done in a variety of circumstances, such as

• A bug or error has been corrected.
• When minor changes are made to the device configuration
• A new feature or function is added to the system.
• If there is a new convergence with other goods,
• A performance improvement necessitates code changes.
• When current code is changed or if a patch fix is released.

Regression testing is important in agile environments because continuous testing ensures product reliability. Shift-left testing is still being used by testers to ensure that successful testing is done concurrently with development.

Let us now attempt to understand the different types of regression testing.

Unit testing is important because it should be performed during the initial unit test process, where the code is evaluated as a single unit. This sort of regression testing is based on specific code units and takes a critical stance.

Partially regression testing assures that the system continues to function properly even after new functionality is added or minor code adjustments are made.

Comprehensive regression testing – It examines both the modified units and the application’s previous features. It is normally executed when more than one code change has been made.  Before any big release or product launch, this testing must be completed to ensure that all functionalities continue to function properly.

Build-level regression testing – This form of testing occurs during the second build of an upcoming release and is typically used when any code changes are made through several builds.

Challenges in the way

Regression testing is often a source of frustration when it comes to designing an effective agile test strategy, as it poses some significant challenges

• Increased effort and time: Regression testing takes a long time, especially in large projects. It’s not uncommon for teams to have to spend an entire sprint on regression, which is far from ideal. Increased time and effort equates to higher costs.
  
• Expensive: Regression testing is seen as cumbersome due to the need for quicker implementations, as it requires redundant measures that have little benefit. It can be difficult to justify delegating resources and allocating vast budgets for such a process.
  
• Test case solution: Time is an inadequate intake when it comes to regression testing. As a result, there is no time available to run massive test suites. Testers must carefully pick and determine which test cases to run and, more importantly, which test cases not to run to make the most effective use of their time.
  
• Highly complex products: When new revisions to an application’s code are released, test cases must be updated to keep up. The complexity of both code and test cases increases as features and functionalities are introduced. It’s very quick to lose track in this situation.

• Knowledge of the existing application: Another major problem is that many organizations are yet to embrace Agile methodologies and prefer to use the Waterfall structure. Because of the Waterfall structure, testers are unable to be aware of the improvements made by developers. As a result, they are needed to run complete regression test suites, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

How to create a successful regression testing strategy

Before building a regression testing strategy:

• Make a list of all the test cases you want to run.
• Identify test case enhancements that can be made.
• Calculate the time it would take to complete the test cases.
• Automated regression testing should be used wherever possible.
• Examine the changes and determine their effect on various components. Create new test cases or make changes to existing test cases as required.
• Identify the places that are most vulnerable to threats and failures.
• Prioritize the test cases and calculate the time it would take to complete them.
• Determine which test cases can be automated and set them in motion.
• Periodically polish the test suite by removing redundant test cases and adding new ones.
• Carry out training in a variety of user scenarios once in a while.
• Maintain a revolving workforce to avoid resource exhaustion.

These tips can be profoundly executed and possibly tremendous results could be achieved using regression testing tools such as – Subject7, Cerberus Testing, Testimony, Digivante, Testsigma, TimeShiftX, Appsurify TestBrain, Sahi Pro, Selenium, Watir, TestComplete, IBM Ra­­­­tional Functional Tester and many more.