Skip to main content

Planning Mobile Testing

To set up effective mobile testing, it's important to start by understanding and analyzing what the app needs to do. This way, your testing will match the app's goals and what users expect.

Gathering Requirements:​

  • Talk to Stakeholders: Have conversations with people involved in the app, like product managers, developers, and end-users. This will help you get detailed information about the app’s features, functionality, and what users need.
  • Review Documentation: Look at project briefs, functional specs, and user stories to understand what the app aims to achieve and what it needs to do.
  • Check Out Competitors: Look at similar apps on the market to see industry standards and what users expect. This can help you refine your requirements.

Analyzing Requirements:​

  • Prioritize Features: Figure out which features and functions are most important and should be tested first. Focus on what impacts the user experience the most.
  • Create Test Scenarios: Turn the requirements into specific test scenarios and cases to see if the app meets its goals and works as expected.
  • Consider Constraints: Think about any limitations or constraints, like device compatibility, network conditions, or performance expectations, and make sure to include them in your testing plan.

Creating a Test Plan​

A good test plan is essential for successful mobile testing. It should clearly explain what you'll be testing, how you'll do it, and what resources you'll need. In the scope section, outline the features and areas that will be tested, and make it clear what won't be covered to set proper expectations. Objectives should lay out the main goals of testing, like checking if everything works properly and evaluating performance, and include the criteria for success. Resources should detail the team members' roles, the tools, and the devices needed for testing.

When setting up test cases, start by identifying the key scenarios based on the app's requirements. Break each scenario down into specific steps with expected outcomes. Also, prioritize test cases to address the most critical areas first. This approach helps keep the testing process organized and efficient, leading to thorough and effective results.

It’s important to remember that not every test scenario can be predicted. Sometimes, users might face issues related to the backend that QA teams can't fully replicate on their own. That’s why it’s essential to work closely with developers during functional testing to cover these situations. By doing this, you can make sure any errors that come up are managed with clear error messages or solutions, providing a better experience for users. While it can be challenging to keep a test plan explanation brief yet valuable, you can find a more detailed guide on writing a great test plan in TestDevLab's blog article.

Test Environment Setup​

Setting up the right test environment is key to accurate mobile testing. When deciding between using real devices and emulators or simulators, keep in mind that real devices provide a more genuine testing experience, reflecting actual conditions like different network speeds and hardware performance.

Emulators and simulators are handy for quickly checking how the app works on various configurations and OS versions without needing all the physical devices. To make sure your testing covers all bases, consider to set up both real devices and emulators to represent the variety of devices and OS versions your users might have. This way, you'll be able to spot potential issues across different scenarios and make your app more robust and reliable.