Tips

Tips

• How low-code governance helps IT protect data, limit sprawl

  Low-code app developers must adhere to policies that govern data and resource usage. Lacking governance puts budgets, security and compliance at risk.  Continue Reading

• Take a shift-left approach, but avoid developer burnout

  Shift left is often a net positive for software quality. Yet, the change moves more tasks to earlier in the app dev process. Take care not to bury developers.  Continue Reading

• Select between distributed version control systems and tools

  Before you branch out with a new version control tool, assess the pros and cons of these different options, and make sure to ask for developers' opinions.  Continue Reading

• Apply automated security scanning during app development

  For developers, security is not often a high priority -- but it should be. Automated security scanning tools can help detect and address weaknesses before evildoers discover them.  Continue Reading

• Make application usability a priority -- wherever testing occurs

  Testers don't have time to fully evaluate apps before deployment. But poor-quality code simply isn't an option. Enter shift right and APM, two tasks testers must be ready to accept.  Continue Reading

• Secure open source components to bypass breaches

  As enterprises increasingly turn to open source code to cut dev efforts and costs, IT industry vendors recommend that they secure dependencies and deploy patches to safeguard apps.  Continue Reading

• Undertake software dependency management to reduce conflicts

  Apps can bind to dependencies with various levels of interconnectedness -- sometimes to deleterious effect. Here's how to approach software dependency management and reduction.  Continue Reading

• How to deprecate software features without bothering users

  There's more to software deprecation than it seems. Organizations must consider the method of deprecation, how to inform users and what alternatives they should offer.  Continue Reading

• How to implement a winning interoperability testing strategy

  From security to data transfers, network complexity and testing environments, development teams have a lot to address to perform effective interoperability tests.  Continue Reading

• Compare trunk-based development to feature-based approaches

  The repo-centric trunk-based development model can be a good fit for teams adept enough to maintain a codebase. But it means taking the road less traveled.  Continue Reading

• Study up on the best certifications for testing professionals

  Before you invest time into a certification course, decide if you want to step into a new career or want recognition for hard-earned experience. Then, peruse the apt certification options.  Continue Reading

• Hire testers with a mix of technical skills and hutzpah

  There's a lot at stake when you hire a software tester -- and a lot to consider about the applicants. Matt Heusser shares how to evaluate capabilities and personalities.  Continue Reading

• Software resilience engineering helps teams quash chaos

  What does a nuclear power plant or government team of epidemiologists have to teach software engineers? Quite a lot, if your aim is not just better apps, but more resilient ones.  Continue Reading

• Automate tests with attention to UI, rapid feedback and more

  If your app-dev group just can't seem to get automated tests right, you're not alone. Here's how to implement an effective test automation strategy, one piece at a time.  Continue Reading

• Concourse vs. Drone: Pick a CI/CD tool that fits your team

  For CI/CD, a software team should weigh how well a tool fits into its existing practices. Drone and Concourse each highlight ease of use and pipeline features.  Continue Reading

• Monitor APIs with these metrics for smooth app integrations

  What user information do you pull in from APIs? Do you even know how well they perform? Dev teams should track these metrics to create and maintain smooth API communication.  Continue Reading

• How to use Jira as a test management tool

  While Atlassian Jira is a common tool to manage software projects, Amy Reichert's team uses it to manage tests. She details snags you might encounter with test cases and management.  Continue Reading

• 6 ways to tighten Agile feedback loops

  Software bugs are inevitable, but quality improves when you find defects sooner rather than later. Adopt these measures to cut down lengthy and expensive software feedback loops.  Continue Reading

• How to document software requirements without hating your job

  Software requirements specifications explain, in painstaking detail, what is expected of a project. So, why develop without one? It's not worth the risk. Read why an SRS is vital.  Continue Reading

• Use shift-right testing to cut skepticism, deployment delays

  Production environments are the final frontier for bug hunters. So, embrace -- don't eschew -- shift-right testing. It has the potential to enhance software quality for users.  Continue Reading

• How to write and structure worthwhile SRS documentation

  Software projects contain many moving parts, and a miscommunication can derail them easily. Keep everyone on the same page with clear and exhaustive requirements specifications.  Continue Reading

• Ansible vs. Puppet: Declarative DevOps tools square off

  Vendors in the declarative DevOps space cater to the increasing emphasis on software quality in the release cycle. See how Puppet and Ansible stack up in this face-off.  Continue Reading

• GitOps, event handling will shape DevOps evolution

  DevOps is all about swift application deployment, and faster methods can arrive over time. Tom Nolle explains two concepts that will spark DevOps' continued evolution.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics before you work with Git

  Git can scale with complex environments, but more conflicts can arise. Get the Git basics down before your developers use forks or branches for projects.  Continue Reading

• How to keep developers and testers happy -- and productive

  The stresses of software development can strain testers and developers' comradery. Foster a collaborative and communicative environment to keep the whole team productive.  Continue Reading

• How to create test data that yields accurate QA results

  Testers need valid data to prevent app defects, which means they must simulate real data types and structure them as closely as possible. Don't fake it when you make it.  Continue Reading

• Foster cross-team collaboration with IM, mind maps and more

  Build a collaborative workspace that's more than just an HR slogan. These tools get teams to talk and tackle problems together.  Continue Reading

• Which APM tool works for devs, CIOs? New Relic vs. Stackify

  Stackify Retrace and New Relic tools typify a divide between developers and CIOs on application monitoring. The products share many capabilities, but those features aren't equally granular or accessible.  Continue Reading

• Embrace these 5 tenets for better QA leadership

  Knowledge and hands-on skills are always useful, but successful QA team leads also inspire and stand up for their teams. Here are five ways to remove team obstacles and coach great testers.  Continue Reading

• Use these shift-right methods to test code in production

  There's no shortage of ways for a QA team to adopt shift-right testing. But, while the approach can fit in with continuous deployment, don't consider it a catch-all for bug removal.  Continue Reading

• Ways to partially implement Agile and still get results

  Pair programming, iterative workflows, timeboxed builds and other Agile tenets benefit app dev teams. Here's how to incorporate Agile practices and culture with minimal disruption.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to improve software quality with reverse-engineering

  Customer complaints about a team's app can contain insight on how to improve it. Yet, to decipher the actual cause of any problem and a change to fix it, QA needs to be brought in.  Continue Reading

• Big picture QA testing skills foster better app usability

  As companies wrestle to fit QA into budgets, keep in mind the skills that human testers provide -- from customer satisfaction to disaster prevention.  Continue Reading

• Combat algorithm bias with these software test pointers

  As AI penetrates all kinds of software, it's imperative that testers devise a plan to verify predictive results. Put QA professionals on task to root out AI bias.  Continue Reading

• Prioritize UX in a serverless mobile app framework

  There's no universal approach to incorporate serverless functionality into mobile app development. Cloud tools and serverless elements can complicate a deployment.  Continue Reading

• Construct a better build-deploy pipeline with these 6 measures

  Developers can launch code to production faster than ever, and still do it safely, with careful attention to the build-deploy pipeline, tests and monitoring metrics.  Continue Reading

• Recommended QA conferences for software testers of all stripes

  Testing, QA and development conferences host a breadth of experts and helpful peers. From one-day vendor events to weeklong national shows, there's an option to fit your needs.  Continue Reading

• Pick up stateless software precepts for modern app design

  Change and state are complex interrelated concepts that shape how an application performs its tasks. Learn the meaning of state, mutability and change as they relate to app design.  Continue Reading

• Continuous testing in Agile means less work, more coverage

  Rather than ride the turbulent roller coaster of testing bottlenecks and uncontrolled code updates, go on the steadily paced continuous testing Ferris wheel.  Continue Reading

• Craft an integration testing plan with quality before quantity

  When it comes to integration testing, the end user is more important than the test volume. Increase test efficiency to please both application users and owners.  Continue Reading

• How to foster collaboration in software development

  App owners, developers and testers are friends -- not enemies. If it doesn't always feel that way on your collaborative team, use these techniques to foster better communication.  Continue Reading

• Low-code tools showdown: PowerApps vs. Appian

  Low-code dev products, such as PowerApps and Appian, come with benefits and tradeoffs. See which option comes out on top in this faceoff, and plan your workflow accordingly.  Continue Reading

• Calibrate your definition of 'done' in Scrum to meet requirements

  Get together with business leaders before software launches and find common ground to define done. One company's idea of perfect code is another's lurking disaster.  Continue Reading

• The developer's crash course to the application network

  Developers, we get it; you don't want to deal with the network. But hear us out, as a basic understanding of subnets, VPNs and IP addresses boost app stability and performance.  Continue Reading

• Prevent AI bias in predictive applications before it starts

  While AI offers predictive insights, developers must train AI models to ensure accurate results. These five types of input, in particular, can cause poor output from the finished app.  Continue Reading

• Hire a software testing team that fits your startup culture

  Albeit strapped for cash and time, software startups need testers as much as large companies. Advocate for a testing team, and find candidates who will excel in a startup culture.  Continue Reading

• How startups can accelerate a software product launch

  At your software startup, product delivery must be top priority, even at the expense of some bells and whistles. Get creative with some shortcuts to deliver quality software.  Continue Reading

• What the CI process can and can't do for software delivery

  Continuous integration, software delivery and deployment are distinct software lifecycle stages, but they are far more complementary than competitive in modern dev methodologies.  Continue Reading

• Sustain high quality in low-code app development

  Organizations can keep their standards high and their programming low if they follow these guidelines for a low-code, model-driven approach to software development.  Continue Reading

• How containers and Kubernetes change deployment and DevOps

  Containers and Kubernetes have changed how many enterprises approach application deployments. The technologies could prompt a widespread shift in DevOps tooling.  Continue Reading

• Break app infrastructure responsibly with chaos engineering

  More enterprises are intentionally breaking applications with chaos engineering. It helps developers learn the causes of software failures and how to build better apps.  Continue Reading

• Which software testing tool best fits your project?

  Learn what developers should look for in AI testing tools and which style is best for a project. Expert Tom Nolle compares Applitools and Functionize.  Continue Reading

• What would win an AI testing face-off? Applitools vs. Functionize

  Expert Tom Nolle compares two AI testing tools that both interact with -- plus utilize -- applications' GUIs for more comprehensive testing.  Continue Reading

• A QA team finds continuous testing benefits worth the effort

  QA teams can gain a lot from continuous testing. While successful continuous testing requires all of an organization to get on board, the results are worth it.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise software developers: Forget minor software bugs

  Many enterprises think software isn't perfect unless they eliminate minor defects. However, this approach won't prevent major disasters, and it hinders the practices that would.  Continue Reading

• Improve the rapid application development model for deployment readiness

  Get a better understanding of the top three areas in IT to improve a rapid application development model. Expert Tom Nolle discusses the future of RAD and DevOps.  Continue Reading

• Which app is apt: native app vs. hybrid app?

  Developers have to know what type of application best fits them. Learn about native applications and hybrid applications to decide what works for your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Five tips for testing with mobile app developer tools

  Mobile app developer tools can alleviate the confusion of mobile test projects. Here are five strategies to consider if you're in the midst of testing complications.  Continue Reading

• Get the most out of continuous testing with Jenkins

  With dev cycles shrinking all the time, Jenkins' compatibility continues to evolve. Set up Jenkins for effective CI/CD with quality plug-ins that enable continuous testing.  Continue Reading

• Testing tools for continuous deployment

  Continuous testing and integration are the basis for continuous deployment without disasters. Expert Tom Nolle discusses the steps for automated and regression tests.  Continue Reading

• Jenkins basics: The DevOps and build platform for dev teams

  Software expert Walker Rowe discusses how Jenkins goes beyond a DevOps tool. Get a better understanding of how and why your enterprise should install Jenkins.  Continue Reading

• A complete beginner's guide to blending DevOps and security

  DevSecOps sounds like a mouthful for those new to DevOps, but building security in from the start is key to DevOps success. Expert Kevin Beaver explains.  Continue Reading

• A DevOps beginner's guide for user experience professionals

  If you're a UX pro brand-new to DevOps, you might wonder where to begin. UX columnist Jason Grant offers a step-by-step approach for designers who are DevOps newbies.  Continue Reading

• A comprehensive beginner's guide to DevOps for testers

  Newcomers to DevOps have a steep learning curve and nowhere more so than in test. Expert Matthew Heusser has a beginner's guide to DevOps and testing.  Continue Reading

• A comprehensive beginner's guide to DevOps for developers

  Starting DevOps in your organization and not sure where to begin? Cameron McKenzie explains everything a developer needs to know to successfully begin the DevOps process.  Continue Reading

• Lower the risk of change in continuous testing

  Expert Matt Heusser explains how to improve mobile and web application continuous testing in seven steps. Learn how to identify goals and avoid failures with continuous flow.  Continue Reading

• Four critical continuous testing components to implement

  Rapid continuous delivery is unlikely to go off without a hitch, unless the team relies on continuous testing. Expert Justin Rohrman explains how to get it underway.  Continue Reading

• What enterprises learn from software failure incidents

  Research from Etsy and IBM suggests we are learning the wrong lessons from software failure incidents and points toward how to get it right.  Continue Reading

• How to develop a UX workflow

  This approach to UX improves software design, whether your goal is to build a new product, modernize a legacy one or improve functionality and features.  Continue Reading

• Testers face pressure to improve software technical skills

  If you want to stand out from the testing crowd, spend some time acquiring technical skills. Expert Matthew Heusser offers an on-point tester training curriculum.  Continue Reading

• Five reasons your software testing career is harder than necessary

  No job is perfect, but software testers do have a few things to complain about. Expert Amy Reichert shares the five things that make her want to polish her résumé.  Continue Reading

• Everything you need to know about testing .NET applications

  For the most efficient testing, you need the right tools for the job. Expert Matt Heusser explains in detail all the testing tools for tackling apps built with Microsoft's .NET.  Continue Reading

• Be a more technical tester with HTML, CSS and JS

  If you're ready to boost your testing skills, why not learn more about web development? Expert Matt Heusser walks you through HTML, CSS and JS to get you started.  Continue Reading

• Comparing development methodologies: Agile vs. DevOps vs. Lean Startup

  It's a confusing, jargon-filled world out there. Expert Christopher Ward brings clarity in part one of a series of articles on the differences between Lean, Agile and DevOps.  Continue Reading

• When DevOps and requirements gathering techniques collide

  Moving from Agile to DevOps? Requirements gathering is a great place to start rethinking and incorporating a high level of collaboration. Expert Christopher Ward explains.  Continue Reading

• What modern test manager responsibilities entail

  What does a test manager do? That's not the easiest question to answer, as responsibilities vary. Expert Matt Heusser explains the crux of the role and provides some tips as well.  Continue Reading

• Master interrupt testing on mobile devices

  Since mobile devices were made to be interrupted, the challenge is to create -- and test -- an app that rolls with it all. Yvette Francino explains how interrupt testing works.  Continue Reading

• How to test mobile responsive design applications

  Two experts offer 10 tips for testing mobile responsive design applications, with or without software requirements.  Continue Reading

• Why a COTS package requires testing

  Buying COTS systems doesn't necessarily mean security. Learn why COTS testing is needed.  Continue Reading

• Five tools to improve embedded software testing efforts

  Embedded software testing tools are useful for catching defects during unit, integration and system testing. Here are five such tools that can make testing easier.  Continue Reading

• App Quality Alliance compiles mobile testing criteria

  SearchSoftwareQuality.com talks to Martin Wrigley of the App Quality Alliance about smart practices and testing criteria for mobile app developers.  Continue Reading

• Agile testing methods for multiple teams

  Learn the latest Agile testing methods for converting multiple teams from a traditional process to Agile.  Continue Reading

• CI success depends on quality acceptance criteria

  Successful continuous integration requires testable acceptance criteria that help to guide developers.  Continue Reading

• AWS mobile development tools hold steady lead

  AWS mobile tools are able to stay ahead of other mobile development vendors' tools.  Continue Reading

• Agile application lifecycle management is not an oxymoron

  Learn how Agile application lifecycle management supports the development process for better software and business needs.  Continue Reading

• Agile project management: Increasing business agility with Agile ALM

  Increase business agility capabilities with Agile project management. Find tips and tools for Agile ALM best practices.  Continue Reading

• Agile and ALM: A marriage made in heaven?

  Learn why developing Agile and ALM can benefit organizational processes.  Continue Reading

• How Agile ALM tools shape business agility

  Learn how Agile ALM tools can increase agility in businesses.  Continue Reading

• SaaS application testing: Keep performance tests in mind

  Performance testing must be a high priority for SaaS application testers. Learn why and pick up tips on how to test a SaaS system's performance.  Continue Reading

• Scrum project management: Estimating with story points

  Scrum project management expert Yvette Francino explains how teams use story points to estimate effort involved in developing a particular feature.  Continue Reading

• How to measure test progress: Every picture tells a story

  Seeing the big picture when it comes managing the progress of your software tests may require putting together all the little picture pieces.  Continue Reading

• Agile project management using the Cynefin framework

  Learn how the Cynefin framework facilitates problem solving, Agile project management and teamwork.  Continue Reading

• Security testing for unvalidated redirects and forwards

  Security expert John Overbaugh gives security testers the information they need in order to ensure the Web application code that they’re responsible for is protected.  Continue Reading

• Streamlining user acceptance testing (UAT) with Agile

  Organizations that implement successful user acceptance testing can greatly reduce errors and business risks.  Continue Reading

• Agile testing quadrants: Guiding managers and teams in test strategies

  Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the four Agile testing quadrants and how they can guide managers and development teams in creating a test strategy.  Continue Reading

• Software development bugs: How to identify and prevent them

  With strong Agile practices such as unit testing, code reviews and proper attention to requirements, bugs can be prevented or found early in the application lifecycle.  Continue Reading

• Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time

  In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect.  Continue Reading

• The whole-team approach to Agile development: Examples and benefits

  Lisa Crispin continues in this second tip in the series by giving real-life examples and benefits gained from practicing the whole-team approach on Agile development teams.  Continue Reading

• Agile software development: Tips for writing testable user stories

  Testing pressures are always high on Agile projects. In this article we explore some of the ways adding clarity to stories can help make testing easier for all parties involved.  Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques for tracking changes to software requirements

  In this tip, requirements expert Sue Burk explains different techniques and tools that can be used to track changes to the requirement itself as well as changes to the attributes of the requirement.  Continue Reading