Software Testing Guide

Why Testing Matters

The cost of fixing a bug increases 10-100x as it moves from development to production. Testing catches problems early when they're cheap to fix, and ensures your software works correctly for your users.

Types of Testing

Unit Testing

Testing individual components in isolation.

• Fast and automated
• Catches bugs early in development
• Run by developers as they code

Integration Testing

Testing how components work together.

• Verifies data flows correctly between parts
• Catches interface problems
• Tests external integrations

Functional Testing

Testing that features work as specified.

• Verifies business requirements are met
• Tests complete user workflows
• Can be manual or automated

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Testing by actual users before go-live.

• Validates software meets business needs
• Catches usability issues
• Final sign-off before launch

Performance Testing

Testing speed, scalability, and stability.

• Load testing: How does it handle many users?
• Stress testing: What happens at breaking point?
• Endurance testing: Does it remain stable over time?

Security Testing

Testing for vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

• Vulnerability scanning
• Penetration testing
• Code security review

Manual vs Automated Testing

Manual Testing

• Pros: Flexible, good for exploratory testing, catches usability issues
• Cons: Slow, repetitive, human error
• Best for: UAT, UX testing, one-time scenarios

Automated Testing

• Pros: Fast, repeatable, catches regressions
• Cons: Upfront investment, maintenance required
• Best for: Regression testing, CI/CD, high-volume scenarios

What to Expect During Testing

Development Phase

• Developers write and run unit tests
• Automated tests run on code commits
• Issues fixed before feature is "done"

QA Phase

• Features tested against requirements
• Bugs logged and prioritized
• Regression testing as bugs are fixed

UAT Phase

• Your team tests with real scenarios
• Feedback collected and addressed
• Sign-off obtained before launch

Your Role in Testing

Provide Test Scenarios

Share real-world examples of how the software will be used, including edge cases and exceptions.

Participate in UAT

Allocate time for your team to thoroughly test the software before launch.

Prioritize Issues

Help determine which bugs are critical vs. acceptable for initial launch.

Provide Test Data

Realistic data makes testing more meaningful than generic sample data.

Testing Red Flags

• No testing strategy discussed
• No time allocated for UAT
• Bugs discovered only after launch
• No automated tests for regression
• Pressure to skip testing to meet deadlines

Questions to Ask

1. What is your testing process?
2. What percentage of code is covered by automated tests?
3. How is UAT structured?
4. How are bugs tracked and prioritized?
5. What happens if we find issues after launch?