Scrum Testing: Handling Bugs Within the Sprint

1. Scrum Testing: How to Build a Collaborative QA Culture

2. Timely release of high-quality software applications can be a challenging situation for developers and testers. This often stems from poor project management, which may lead to miscommunication among team members, sudden changes in test scope, or delayed feedback from stakeholders. To overcome these challenges, adopting Scrum testing can be one of the most effective approaches. What Is Scrum Testing? Scrum is an agile framework used for managing complex projects, especially in software development. Work in Scrum is divided into short, iterative cycles known as “sprints.” Scrum testing is an integral part of this framework. It means testing features and user stories throughout each sprint rather than waiting until the project ends. This practice enables rapid feedback, early defect detection, and continuous integration. Testing in Scrum isn’t limited to one technique—it can involve various testing methodologies including black box testing, regression testing, and even unit testing. Depending on the project’s design and complexity, dedicated testing teams may also be involved to ensure that the product meets the required software specifications. The Main Goals of Scrum Testing:

3. ● Understand the complexity of the software ● Check and ensure software quality ● Compare real-time system output with defined testing goals ● Measure performance metrics ● Detect bugs and issues early ● Assess software usability ● Ensure alignment with customer needs and business requirements Stakeholders Involved In Scrum Testing Here are the main stakeholders in Scrum testing: Product Owner Represents the customer and defines the project’s requirements. These are organized into a product backlog, broken down into sprints. Scrum Master Acts as a link between the product owner and the team. Ensures work is completed on time and goals are met.

4. Team Developers and testers who build the software based on requirements. They handle tasks like sprints while the Scrum master reviews the output. In Scrum, the tester does not take an active role in the process. Instead, developers usually handle testing with unit tests. The product owner is involved in testing during each sprint. Depending on the project’s size and complexity, dedicated testing teams may also be assigned to Scrum projects and involved in DevOps testing. Approaches to Testing in Scrum Testing in Scrum works differently than traditional methods. Agile testers look for bugs and defects throughout the development process instead of waiting until the product is finished. This can be done using two testing approaches: 1. Shift-Left Testing This approach focuses on testing early in the development process. Here, testers mainly perform unit tests, while end-to-end testing takes a back seat. Test cases are written and executed by developers without involving QA specialists.

5. The shift-left approach has several benefits: ● Improves software quality ● Increases test coverage ● Provides continuous feedback ● Speeds up product releases 2. Shift-Right Testing In contrast, this approach moves testing to a later stage. It checks the application’s quality after it has been deployed in the production environment. Shift-right testing makes sure that the application can handle real user loads without losing quality. While this approach can be used in any development method, it works best in Scrum due to its frequent release cycles. It allows testing of new features introduced during the last sprint. Phases Of Scrum Testing QA in scrum testing, follows the Agile Testing Quadrants to decide what to test, the order of testing, and how to do it. This approach is flexible and can be adapted for each project. The Agile Testing Quadrants, originally called the Matrice Marick Test, include:

6. Quadrant 1: Technology Testing This stage checks the quality of the code and provides quick feedback. It uses component and unit testing to evaluate individual parts of the code and how they work together. Automated testing is a big focus here. Quadrant 2: Verify Business Requirements In this phase, developers and testers make sure the product meets business goals. They use prototype, wireframe, and functional testing, which can be done both manually and automatically. Quadrant 3: Usability Testing This quadrant evaluates the product’s usability. It involves exploratory testing, usability testing, and user acceptance testing. Alpha and beta testing may also occur, and all testing in this stage is done manually. Quadrant 4: Deep Technological Evaluation Here, testers evaluate non-functional aspects of the application, like accessibility, reliability, and portability. Performance, load, and security testing are also important. This QA process often uses automation tools.

7. Scum Testing Example Scrum Testing Quadrants provide a clear way to customize your testing strategy based on your project. Let’s look at a couple of examples to see how they work. Example 1: Imagine you are building a mobile banking app. You want to ensure that the user interface (UI) is simple to use and looks good on different devices. To do this, you look at Quadrant 4, which is all about technology testing. You choose to use automated UI testing tools like TestGrid to see how the app looks and works on various devices and screen sizes. This helps you quickly spot any UI problems and makes sure the app offers a smooth experience for users. Using automation makes testing faster and provides reliable results every time. Example 2: Now, think about a situation where you need to check how well the app’s fund transfer feature works, which is very important for users. In this case, you focus on Quadrant 2, which deals with business-related tests. You run tests to make sure that the fund transfer process operates correctly in different situations, like various amounts and account types. Automating these tests

8. ensures that your app meets business requirements consistently, lowering the chance of mistakes that could upset users. In both examples, the scrum Testing Quadrants help you choose the right testing approach for your needs, whether it’s ensuring the technology works well or confirming that key business functions are valid. Platforms like TestGrid make the process more efficient through automation. How To Perform Scrum Testing: Activities The process of scrum testing involves following different activities that are followed by the team during the different phases of scrum testing. Scrum Planning The first step in Scrum is planning. This is when the Scrum master and the team discuss and set the testing goals and epics. An epic is a big piece of work that adds value to the final product. Once the goals are set, the team breaks them down into smaller tasks in the backlog, which are then assigned to developers. Finally, they decide on a release date.

9. Test Plan and Development Next, testers create a test plan that outlines all the testing activities, their goals, and the strategies they will use for the sprint. This plan includes necessary test data, test cases, tools, and scenarios to help check the software’s functionality. Meanwhile, development work also begins, allowing the team to start building the product. Test Execution With everything organized, testers now run the test cases to check how the features work together. They perform tests like regression, acceptance, and usability to see if the software meets the set standards. Some testers might also use manual testing techniques based on the sprint’s needs. Reporting and Fixing the Issue If testers come across any issues while testing, they promptly inform the development team. This report contains information about the actions taken, anticipated and achieved outcomes, challenges encountered, and the seriousness of the issues. The developers collaborate with the testers to address the identified issues. When it comes to reporting, there are two main metrics used: ● Burndown Chart: The Scrum master tracks the remaining work for the sprint on a burndown chart each day. This chart gives an idea of the

10. project’s progress. It shows the total work left and how much work has been completed in each sprint. ● Velocity History Graph: This graph predicts the team’s speed in each sprint. It is a bar graph showing how the team’s output has changed over time. It can include information about schedule burn, budget burn, completion percentage, and how many stories are done versus remaining. Sprint Retrospective The sprint retrospective is the last stage. During this meeting, the Scrum team reviews the sprint and pinpoint areas that can be enhanced. Product owners can also join these discussions to hear insights from the testers. This session focuses on challenges faced and suggestions for improving the testing process. Challenges of Scrum Testing Here are some common challenges of Scrum testing: ● The requirements of the project may change and this makes it difficult to keep test cases updated. ● Tight deadlines can cause testers to scale, which might lead to missing defects.

11. ● Good communication is important among team members, as misunderstandings can create gaps in testing. ● Scrum emphasizes working software over detailed documentation, making it difficult for testers to find needed information. ● Setting up and maintaining test environments can be tough, especially with many features being developed at once. Best Practices of Scrum testing Here are some best practices for Scrum testing: ● Involve testers early in planning so they understand requirements and can create test cases. ● Write tests before developing features to ensure the code meets the requirements. ● Automate tests that are repetitive and pose high risks to save time and decrease manual efforts. ● Incorporate testing into the development process and regularly execute tests to detect defects at an early stage. ● Regularly update test cases to reflect any changes in requirements or features. ● Let testers explore the application to find bugs in software that scripted tests might miss.

12. ● Focus on testing the most important features first, especially those that greatly affect users. Conclusion Scrum testing is important for creating good software that satisfies users. By including testers early and promoting teamwork, teams can spot and fix issues during development. Using practices like automation and continuous testing makes the process easier. In the end, a Scrum testing strategy not only enhances the final product but also builds a focus on quality, leading to more content users and better projects. Source:For more details, readers may also refer toTestGrid.