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Stakeholders involved in the software development cycle have long accepted the crucial role of software testing tools in making testing easier, more effective and more productive. Software testing by itself is a development phase thus if managed well, the automation of parts of the testing process can prove to be a significant investment for both large and small scale businesses. Since these software testing tools need to be employed depending on your software test strategy, the ability to know when to apply these tools is of utmost importance.

Below is a short list of how to better equip a Software Tester to identify strategies where software testing tools will best be applied...


· Research – As in any undertaking, everything is best accomplished when planned and evaluated well. A keen sense of judgment based on facts and research can help you choose the most suitable software testing tools needed by your company. It is a futile effort to get what might be the “best tools” in the market and end up with them not being used because it is not applicable to the environment or the business process. Some tools might not be able to cover all the application’s existing test case libraries or in some cases the tool is not that technically capable. So, before launching on a buying spree, take time to define a set of criteria that is based on the existing process of the business. Be aware of the level of the skills of the people who will be using these software testing tools, current technology, budget, applications, etc. to avoid a mismatch and ultimately failure.


· Trainings – Getting a sense of familiarity and comfort with the software testing tools to be used should not be taken for granted. For companies who are on a tight budget, they tend to cut corners by not letting the staff involved take the necessary product orientation and product training. Requests for such training might entail an additional cost on the part of the company or the stakeholders but in the long run, the paybacks of equipping your staff far outweigh the costs. A skilled and trained individual delivers faster and delivers high quality.


· Planning – Without a guide in the form of a test plan, the person involved in the testing process will end up either running around in circles or missing the mark. The test plan should consists of the following :

1. Specifications – These will ensure that the test scripts adhered to the objectives included in the test plan.

2. Cases – Different test cases, techniques and validation approaches, and expected results of each case should be developed.

3. Test designs – These include kinds of tests and strategies and as well as the design attributes of each test.

4. Test data – These are the test inputs that fit both the boundary value analysis and stress testing requirements.

5. Test coverage – This involves collecting information about which parts of a program are actually executed when running the test suite.

6. Platforms – The configuration and platform environment on which test must function.

7. Test Cycle Strategy – This is the number of test cycles to be conducted and what type of testing that should occur.


· Management Involvement – Pulling the support of the management in the entire testing process will yield substantial rewards in terms of the effective use of the software testing tools. Typically a management team that has bought into the implementation of software testing tools helps with improving schedules and budget allocation, and the balancing of expectations.


· Advancements in Technology – Software Testing is always evolving which means continuous updates on current business processes, models, methods, and testing tools.



The relevance of any software testing methodology lies in aligning the processes with the stakeholder’s needs, the evaluation of the software testing tools involved, integration of these tools in the business environment, and measurement of the results based on lowered total cost and improved quality. All of these come into play as organizations gear towards the “industrialization of quality” of software through embracing new and enhanced software testing tools and techniques.