Learn Software Testing: 5 Tips for Beginners!

Software testing is the process of checking whether the software or website or application is bug-free and it meets the user requirements and expectations efficiently. In other words, it is checking the quality of the software or website or application. A minute glitch or bug in software has the potential enough to create major losses in terms of revenue, brand reputation and customer loyalty.

While the world remembers and applauds the developers of various software/websites/ mobile applications, the software testers are the unsung heroes of the software development industry as they are the ones who ensure that the end-user gets a bug free experience.

Five important tips to consider before you start planning your career and learning software testing are:

1. Education Background: Companies looking for software testers prefer candidates with bachelor’s degree in computer science or any engineering field. B.Tech/B.E/ MCA/BCA/ B.Sc (Computers) are the degrees which will help you in landing in a software testing job.

But even a non-IT person with the right training can look into a career in software testing and companies do consider candidates with a non-IT background with exceptional skills. If you do not hold any of the above degrees then you can go for certifications like ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) and CSTE (Certified Software Tester) which will help you learn Software Development Life Cycle and other testing methodologies.

2. Analytical Skills: If you are the one with exceptional logical and analytical skills and have a knack for perfection then this is the best career option for you. The primary objective of testing is to find the bugs or hidden errors and a person with strong analytical ability will only be able to do it. A great amount of logical understanding is required to judge all the potential scenarios that can be used by the end-user.

3. Technical Skills: A tester with a good technical skill will be more efficient in detecting the bugs and communicating effectively to the developers. Software testing is broadly divided into manual testing and automation testing. Both methods are widely used by testers around the globe. Their usage depends on project requirements, budget, timelines etc.

A good tester should be able to analyse the requirements, participate in test estimation, prepare test cases by understanding the requirements, should be able to execute tests and log defects in defect tracking tools and should also be able to write automated test scripts.

4. Documentation and Project Management Skills: Previously there was less thought given to the documentation process of a project and more to the testing methodologies. But now with companies realizing that careful documentation saves time and money the companies have shifted their focus to proper documentation of projects. Project management skills bring a sense of responsibility in testers making them responsible for the entire project and ensuring delivery of quality projects.

5. Communication Skills: Communication skills are necessary be it any job profile but for software testers, it is very crucial as they need to communicate their points effectively to their project team and clients. If there is any miscommunication then there is a possibility of failure of the entire project.

A person who is looking to be a good software tester needs to focus on all the areas above and start building these skills accordingly. The right skills and keeping a learning attitude by upgrading the new methodologies will always help a software tester to ascend new heights.