Category: AGILE TESTING Questions

AGILE TESTING Interview Questions for freshers experienced :-

1. What is Agile Testing?

Agile Testing is a practice that a QA follows in a dynamic environment where testing requirements keep changing according to the customer needs. It is done parallel to the development activity where testing team receives frequent small codes from the development team for testing.

2. What is the difference between burn-up and burn-down chart?

Burn-up and burn-down charts are used to keep track the progress of the project.

Burn-up charts represent how much work has been completed in any project whereas Burn-down chart represents the remaining work in a project.

3. Define the roles in Scrum?

There are mainly three roles that a Scrum team have:

• Project Owner – who has the responsibility of managing product backlog. Works with end users and customers and provide proper requirement to the team to build the proper product.
• Scrum Master – who works with scrum team to make sure each sprint gets complete on time. Scrum master ensure proper work flow to the team.
• Scrum Team – Each member in the team should be self-organized, dedicated and responsible for high quality of the work.

4. What is Product backlog & Sprint Backlog?

Product backlog is maintained by the project owner which contains every feature and requirement of the product.

Sprint backlog can be treated as subset of product backlog which contains features and requirements related to that particular sprint only.

5. Explain Velocity in Agile?

Velocity is a metric that is calculated by addition of all efforts estimates associated with user stories completed in a iteration. It predicts how much work Agile can complete in a sprint and how much time will require to complete a project.

6. Explain the difference between traditional Waterfall model and Agile testing?

• Agile testing is done parallel to the development activity whereas in traditional waterfall model testing is done at the end of the development.
• As done in parallel, agile testing is done on small features whereas in waterfall model testing is done on whole application.

7. Explain Pair Programming and its benefits?

Pair programming is a technique in which two programmer works as team in which one programmer writes code and other one reviews that code. They both can switch their roles.

Benefits:

• Improved code quality: As second partner reviews the code simultaneously, it reduces the chances of mistake.
• Knowledge transfer is easy: One experience partner can teach other partner about the techniques and codes.

8. What is re-factoring?

Modification of the code without changing its functionality to improve the performance is called re-factoring.

9. Explain the Iterative and Incremental Development in Agile?

Iterative Development: Software is developed and delivered to customer and based on the feedback again developed in cycles or release and sprints. Say in Release 1 software is developed in 5 sprints and delivered to customer. Now customer wants some changes, then development team plan for 2nd release which can be completed in some sprints and so on.

Incremental Development:Software is development in parts or increments. In each increment a portion of the complete requirement is delivered.

10. How do you deal when requirements change frequently?

This question is to test the analytical capability of the candidate. Answer can be-

Work with PO to understand the exact requirement to update test cases. Also understand the risk in changing the requirement. Apart from this one should be able to write generic test plan and test cases. Don’t go for the automation until requirements are finalized.

11. What is a test stub?

A small code which mimics a specific component in the system and can replace it. Its output is same as the component it replaces.

12. What qualities should a good Agile tester have?

• Agile tester should be able to understand the requirements quickly.
• Agile tester should know Agile concepts and principals.
• As requirements keep changing, he should understand the risk involve in it.
• Agile tester should be able to prioritize the work based on the requirements.
• Communication is must for a Agile tester as it requires a lot of communication with developers and business associates.

13. What is difference between Epic, User stories & Tasks?

• User Stories:User Stories defines the actual business requirement. Generally created by Business owner.
• Task: To accomplish the business requirements development team create tasks.
• Epic: A group of related user stories is called an Epic.

14. What is a Task board in Agile?

Task board is dash board which shows progress of the project. It contains:

• User Story: which has the actual business requirement.
• To Do: Tasks that can be worked on.
• In Progress: Tasks in progress.
• To Verify: Tasks pending for verification or testing
• Done: Completed tasks.

15. What is Test Driven Development (TDD)?

It is Test-first development technique in which we add a test first before we write a complete production code. Next we run the test and based on the result refactor the code to fulfill the test requirement.

16. How QA can add a value to an agile team?

QA can provide a value addition by thinking differently about the various scenarios to test a story. They can provide quick feedback to the developers whether new functionality is working fine or not.

17. What is Scrum ban?

It is a software development model which is combination of scrum and kanban. Scrumban is considered for maintenance projects in which there are frequent changes or unexpected user stories. It can reduce the minimum completion time for user stories.

18. What is Application Binary Interface?

Application Binary Interface or ABI defines an interface for complied application programs or we can say it describes the low level interface between an application and the operating system.

19. What is Zero sprint in Agile?

It can be defined as pre step to the first sprint. Activities like setting development environment, preparing backlog etc needs to be done before starting of the first sprint and can be treated as Sprint zero.

20. What is Spike?

There may be some technical issues or design problem in the project which needs to be resolved first. To provide the solution of these problem “Spikes” are created. Spikes are of two types- Functional and Technical.

21. Name some Agile quality strategies.

Some Agile quality strategies are-

1. Re-factoring
2. Small feedback cycles
3. Dynamic code analysis
4. Iteration

22. What is importance of daily stand up meeting?

Daily stand up meeting is essential for any team in which-

• Team discuss about how much work has been completed.
• What are the plans to resolve technical issues.
• What steps need to done to complete the projects etc.

23. What is tracer bullet?

• It can be defined as spike with the current architecture or the current set of best practices.
• The purpose of a tracer bullet is to examine how an end-to-end process will work and examine feasibility.

24. How the velocity of sprint is measured?

• If capacity is measured as a percentage of a 40 hours weeks then completed story points * team capacity
• If capacity is measured in man hours then Completed story points / team capacity

25. What is Agile manifesto?

Agile manifesto defines an iterative and people-centric approach to software development. It has basically 4 key values and 12 principals.

26. What are the Tools that can be useful for screenshots while working on Agile projects?

While working on Agile projects you can use tools like

• BugDigger
• BugShooting
• qTrace
• Snagit
• Bonfire
• Usersnap

27. What are the advantages of maintaining consistent iteration length throughout the project?

The advantages are

• It helps team to objectively measure progress
• It provides a consistent means of measuring team velocity
• It helps to establish a consistent pattern of delivery

28. If a timebox plan needs to be reprioritized who should re-prioritise it?

If a timebox plan needs to be reprioritized it should include whole team, product owner, and developers.

29. What should a burndown chart should highlight?

The burn-down chart shows the remaining work to complete before the timebox (iteration) ends.

30. What is the difference between Scrum and Agile?

Scrum: In the scrum, a sprint is a basic unit of development. Each sprint is followed by a planning meeting, where the tasks for the sprint are identified and estimated. During each sprint, the team creates finished portion of a product
Agile: In Agile, each iteration involves a team working through a full software development cycle, including planning, design, coding, requirement analysis, unit testing, and acceptance testing when a product is demonstrated to stakeholders
In simple words, Agile is the practice and scrum is the process to following this practice.

31. What are the challenges involved in AGILE software development?

Challenges involved in Agile Software development includes

1. It requires more testing and customers involvement
2. It impacts management more than developers
3. Each feature needs to be completed before moving on to the next
4. All the code has to work fine to ensure application is in working state
5. More planning is required

32. When not to use Agile?

Before using Agile methodology, you must ask following questions

• Is functionality split-able
• Is customer available
• Are requirements flexible
• Is it really time constrained
• Is team skilled enough

33. How can you implement scrum in an easy way to your project?

These are the tips which can be helpful to implement scrum in your project

• Get your backlog in order
• Get an idea of the size of your product backlog items
• Clarify sprint requirement and duration to complete the sprint backlog
• Calculate the team sprint budget and then break requirements into tasks
• Collaborate workspace- a center of all team discussion, which includes plans, roadmaps, key dates, sketches of functionality, issues, log, status reports, etc.
• Sprint- Make sure you complete one feature at a time before moving on to the next. A sprint should not be abort unless if there is no other option
• Attend a daily stand-up meeting: In meeting you need to mention, what have been achieved since the last meeting, what will they achieve before the next meeting and is anything holding up their progress
• Use burndown chart to track daily progress. From the burndown chart, you can estimate whether you are on track, or you are running behind
• Complete each features well before moving on to the next
• At the end of the sprint- hold a sprint review meeting, mention what is achieved or delivered in the sprint.

34. What does it mean by product roadmap?

A product roadmap is referred for the holistic view of product features that create the product vision.

AGILE TESTING Questions and Answers pdf Download

Q1. What Is Agile Testing?

Agile testing is a software testing practice which emphasizes testing from the perspective of customers who will utilize the system. Agile testing does not rigidly follow the pre-defined testing procedures, but rather focuses on testing iteratively against newly developed code until quality is achieved from an end customer’s perspective.

Agile testers:

1. Use reusable checklists to suggest tests. 
2. Focus on the essence of the test rather than the incidental details.
3. Use lightweight documentation styles/tools. 
4. Capturing test ideas in charters for Exploratory Testing.

Q2. Understanding Agile Software Development:?

The Agile Software Development primarily focuses on an iterative method of development and delivery. The developers and end users communicate closely and the software is built. A working piece of software is delivered in a short span of time and based on the feedback more features and capabilities are added. The focus is on satisfying the customer by delivering working software quickly with minimum features and then improvising on it based on the feedback. The customer is thus closely involved in the Software Design and Development Process. The delivery timelines are short and the new code is built on the previous one. Despite this, high quality of the product cannot be comprised.

Q3. What Is An Agile Testing Life Cycle?

Almost all the other software development life cycles either follow a sequential model (eg waterfall model) or an iterative model. But for processes which are a little more complex these models find it difficult to tackle the changes which are large in number and continuous.

Agile model was basically made in order to counter these changes effectively and smoothly. This method is a collection of values, principles and practices that tests and provide the feedback to convert it into a new style of development.
Development life cycle:

•  Iteration -1 :Identify, prioritize the potential project, and consider its feasibility.
•  Iteration 0 (Warm Up) : Initiates the project, takes care of the initial input , and emphasis is on building a unit.
•  Construction Iterations: Client participates actively and advises about the expected output, requirements and stuff which is not required by the project.
•  Release: Deploys first release into production, Final system testing and trains end users.
•  Production: Operates, supports and identifies defects in the system.
•  Retirement: Removes the system completely from production and migrates the users.

Q4. How Is Testing Approach Different In An Agile Development Scenario?

The Testing Strategy and Approach in Agile Development could be very different from traditional bureaucratic methods. In fact it could vary with project needs and the project team. In many scenarios, it may make sense to not have a separate testing team.

The above statement should be understood carefully. By not having a testing team we do not consider testing to be any less important. In fact testing can done more effectively in short turn around times, by people who know the system and its objectives very well.

For example in certain teams Business Analysts could be doing a few rounds of testing each time the software version is released. Business Analysts understand the Business Requirements of the Software and test it to verify if it meets the requirements.

Developers may test the software. They tend to understand the system better and can verify the test results in a better way. Testing for AGILE Software Development requires innovative thinking and the right mix of people should be chosen for doing the testing.

Q5. What To Test?

• Given the relatively short turn around times in this methodology it is important that the team is clear on what needs to be tested. Even though close interaction and innovation is advocated rather than processes, sufficient emphasis is given to the testing effort.
• While each team may have its own group dynamics based on the context, each code has to be unit tested. The developers do the unit testing to ensure that the software unit is functioning correctly.
• Since the development itself is iterative it is possible that the next release of code was built by modifying the previous one. Hence Regression Testing gains significant importance in these situations.
• The team tests if the newly added functionality works correctly and that the previously released functionality still works as expected.
• Test Automation also gains importance due to short delivery timelines. Test Automation may prove effective in ensuring that everything that needs to be tested was covered.
• It is not necessary that costly tools be purchased to automate testing. Test Automation can be achieved in a relatively cost effective way by utilizing the various open source tools or by creating in-house scripts. These scripts can run one or more test cases to exercise a unit of code and verify the results or to test several modules.  This would vary with the complexity of the Project and the experience of the Team.

Q6. How Can It Be Advantageous To The Developers?

Technically the agile methods implement a iterative and incremental development phase in the project. This me the developers have higher control over the design/code that is under development. This can be helpful in maintaining a confident mindset among the team members. Also the smaller units of development can bring in the much needed modularity in the product, making it more reusable than the traditional methods can offer.

Q7. Typical Bugs Found When Doing Agile Testing?

Although nothing is typical about any Agile Development Project and each project may have its own set of complexities, by the very nature of the paradigm bugs may be introduced in the system when a piece of code is modified/enhanced/changed by one or more Developers.

Whenever a piece of code is changed it is possible that bugs have been introduced to it or previously working code is now broken. New bugs/defects can be introduced at every change or old bugs/defects may be reopened.

Q8. Ensuring Software Test Coverage?

• To ensure that delivered product meets the end user’s requirements it is important that sufficient testing is done and all scenarios are tested.
• Sufficient Test Coverage in an Agile Development Scenario may be tricky but with close cooperation and the right team dynamics it may not be impossible.
• The objectives of the Project should be clear to the entire team. Many teams advocate Test Driven Development. At every stage the Software is tested if it meets the Requirements. Every Requirement is trlated to a Test Case and Software is validated/ verified. While the Processes and Documentation are not stressed upon sufficient steps are taken to ensure that the software is delivered as per the User Expectations. This implies that each Software delivery should be tested thoroughly before it is released.
• The timelines being short requires that the person testing the software has sufficient knowledge about the system and its objectives.

Q9. Key Differences Between Agile And Other Conventional Methodologies?

•  The product that is developed is based upon incremental, rapid cycles rather than sequential methodology which is deployed by conventional models(INCREMNTAL me each release is tested about its functionality and its increments are small and calculative ).
•  Where other methods emphasize on processes and tools, this method stresses on people and interactions. Customer’s point of view is also given a priority as well as developer and tester also has their say in the upbringing of the product.
•  The product should be working as thought and expected ,but its documentation isn’t given a priority.
•  Agile method focuses on an end product which is functional and takes into consideration all the conditions but the documentation isn’t a priority on agile method’s list.
•  This is also because the developer, tester, and the customer or client are always in conversation and they do know how the product is going to shape up.
•  All Agile method include customer as integral part of the team, customer clarify the developer about the need requirements and limitations of the product.

Q10. What Is The Difference Between Agile Testing And Rad?

Agile testing is used to test the design in the early stages of SDLC life cycle. Rad is informal name given to agile.

Q11. In What Does The Agile Testing (development) Methodology Differs From The Other Testing (development) Methodologies?

Anytime applying agile testing methodology, the testers (developers) ensure that the whole process of testing (development) is broke into as small steps as possible and just a small unit of code is tested (developed) in each of this steps. The team of testers (developers) is communicating consistently the results of their work, and change the short term strategy and even the development plan on the go, based on the results of agile testing. Agile methodology encourages flexible and rapid response to change which should lead to a better end result.

Q12. Steps Taken To Effectively Test In Agile Development Methodology:?

• As a wise person once said there is no substitute to hard work. The only way one can effectively test is by ensuring Sufficient Test Coverage and Testing Effort Automated or otherwise.
• The challenge could be lack of documentation, but the advantage could be close communication between team members thereby resulting in greater clarity of thought and understanding of the system.
• Each Time Code is changed Regression Testing is done. Test Coverage is ensured by having Automated Scripts and the right mix/combination of People executing the Test Cases.
• Exploratory Testing may also be encouraged. Exploratory Tests are not pre-designed or pre-defined. The Tests are designed and executed immediately. Similarly ad hoc testing may also be encouraged. Ad-hoc testing is done based on the tester’s experience and skills.
• While automated Test Cases will ensure that the Test Cases scripted are executed as defined, the team may not have enough time to design and script all the test cases.

Q13. How Can Agile Methods Help In Marketing And Business Aspects Of A Product?

The agile methods help in churning out workable code at every stage of development. So marketing of a product can be really effective as the updates to the software/product can come in handy in promotions. The Inspect and adapt approach that agile implements can help the product developers to change/add new functionalities over the previously developed layers. This adaptive approach again can help in keeping the product up-to-date in the market.

Q14. What Are The Changes That A Development Team Has To Accept If Agile Testing Is On The Cards?

The adaptive nature of the development teams play a major role if we have to successfully implement a agile method of testing for the project.

•  Every small change that is being made has to be done in a completely testable form. This me the development of even a very large concept has to be broken up accordingly to facilitate periodic testing.
• The short iterations of test cycles also would mean that the development team has to come up with frequent builds and versions.
• When a project is already being tested with other long term methods of testing, a sudden change can be very difficult to be brought in.
• Unit testing will in turn be a major test of integration for each developer and one has to cautiously integrate the smaller pieces of the unit that have already been tested.

Q15. Can Agile Methodology Be Applied Also In Other Than Software Testing And Development Projects?

While asking these sort of agile testing interview questions, employers try to recognize if you really understand the benefits of this methodology and can see a practical application of it in various areas of business. To state that this methodology can be, and maybe even should be, applied in all the instances and test cases where we have insufficient entry data, or work in an unknown area, or simply work within a small team, or where many unpredictable variables take place is a good wer. It is in fact used quite commonly in bio-medicine, biochemistry or physics. Anyway, it could be used in many other areas.

Q16. What Is Application Binary Interface (abi)?

A specification defining requirements for portability of applications in binary forms across different system platforms and environments.

Q17. In What Kind Of Environments Do The Agile Testing Methodologies Prove Very Successful And Where Do They Dont?

The agile methods of testing can be a very good way of developing a project which has to have a periodic deliverable and which has a very few members in the team with fixed resources. In such scenarios, the Agile methods can help to get the maximum efficiency and stability in the products under development. In such cases the requirements are not so varied and remain quite constant.
On the other hand, if we consider a very large organization which is developing a software or any other product which has lot of modules and lot of functional requirements (business logics) then agile methods may just prove to be a hurdle in the development of different modules. So it is not a good idea to adopt agile testing methods in large projects with a wider scope of operations.

Q18. What Are The Key Characteristics Of Agile Testing Methodology?

When adopting agile methods for testing, we ensure that the tests are done over every simple and small unit of code that is being developed. This type of testing has lot of advantages in the management and technical aspects of the project. With greater control over the progress that is being made in the development and a demonstratable code at hand every time, the agile methods of testing can prove very useful. The requirements if complex, can be easily matched up at every stage of development by having agile methods of testing over units of code. This will avoid the possibilities of facing requirement conformance mismatches.

Q19. What Are The Different Approaches To Testing On Agile Development Projects?

1.  First, you want to test as early as you possibly can because the potential impact of a defect rises exponentially over time (this isn’t always true, but it’s something to be concerned about). In fact, many agile developers prefer a test-first approach.
2.  Second, you want to test as often as possible, and more importantly, as effectively as possible, to increase the chance that you’ll find defects. Although this increases your costs in the short term, studies have shown that greater investment in testing reduces the total cost of ownership of a system due to improved quality.
3.  Third, you want to do just enough testing for your situation: Commercial banking software requires a greater investment in testing than membership administration software for your local Girl Scouts group.
4.  Fourth, pair testing, just like pair programming and modeling with others, is an exceptionally good idea. My general philosophy is that software development is a lot like swimming it’s very dangerous to do it alone.