In the previous part of our series, we introduced test automation, which is now the turn of manual testing. For laypersons, this method might seem outdated in 2024. However, in this article, we will demonstrate the opportunities that manual testing offers and how to best utilize the benefits it provides during the software development process.
What is manual testing?
Manual testing is a software testing approach where testers manually examine the functions of the software without the help of test scripts. In this case, testers should think like users and look for bugs that hinder the usability of the application. This includes functional or performance issues and other anomalies that negatively impact the user experience.
Additionally, manual testers are responsible for checking the logical structure of processes and the system's response time. This helps ensure that the product created by the development team is user-friendly and well-functioning.
Advantages of manual testing
Today, the popularity of manual testing remains strong as it provides several indispensable opportunities during the testing process. One of its most important advantages is flexibility. Manual testers can quickly adapt to changes in test cases or project requirements without the need to rewrite scripts, as would be necessary in test automation. This allows the development team to respond quickly to changes.
Another advantage of this software testing method is that it is faster to learn for beginner testers than test automation. Generally, manual testing is easier to understand for those who come from non-IT backgrounds since it does not require programming skills.
Moreover, this testing method enables testers to comprehensively understand and get to know all the functions and properties of the software, including development opportunities. This knowledge helps the development team to deliver a higher quality software to the customers.
Disadvantages of manual testing
Despite the recognized advantages, we can also state that some phases of the software development lifecycle definitely require manual testing. However, like everything else, this method has its weaknesses that we should be aware of.
One such disadvantage is the time-consuming nature. Manual testing requires human intervention for every task, making it much slower than automated testing, especially for large or complex software. Consequently, it has high labor costs.
Another issue is the higher likelihood of human error. This occurs because workers have a natural limit to their concentration, which makes them prone to mistakes, especially during repetitive, monotonous testing tasks. These errors can lead to inaccurate test results.
Should we use manual or automated testing?
Choosing between manual and automated testing processes is a crucial task for ensuring software quality, efficiency, and economy. Manual testing involves manually examining the software for defects, which is irreplaceable in cases such as exploratory, usability, or ad-hoc testing. Manual testing is most appropriate when the test requires human judgement, such as testing the qualitative attributes of an application’s user interface and user experience. Additionally, manual testing is preferable for software in the early stages of development when radical changes can occur. It allows for immediate feedback on issues that automated tests might overlook.
However, automated testing also has its place in the development process. It is particularly effective for regression testing, performance testing, load testing, and stress testing, where repeated test execution is required. Automated testing is very efficient for large projects and scenarios where precision, reliability, and repeatability are important criteria.
Therefore, characteristics such as size, complexity, and the stage of the development cycle should determine when to use manual or automated testing. A balanced approach typically takes the best from both manual and automated testing and uses them most effectively.