If you need to test software, your first consideration should be what type of tracking system to use. Tracking systems for testing programs go by several names, with bug tracking systems, task tracking systems, issue tracking systems, and defect tracking systems being common ones. Also referred to as tools, these systems help you identify and resolve bugs, defects and issues in a program by categorizing them, prioritizing them and assigning them to the right team members. Regardless of the program you are testing, implementing a tracking system is an important step in the software testing process - a process that consists of the following steps:
Developing test objectivesDeveloping a reporting processImplementing a tracking systemEstablishing a test environmentPerforming usability testingPerforming unit testingVerifying HTML codePerforming load testingPerforming user acceptance testingPerforming security testingWithout a tracking system in place, the testing process can be undermined by team members' inability to identify and resolve software problems efficiently.
Choosing the Right System
There are hundreds of software testing tools for tracking. Choosing the right one requires a process of elimination based on the systems' specs. The first choice is whether to implement the system in house or on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Because the latter requires less upfront and long-term investment and offers excellent flexibility, it's the option of choice.
The second concern is whether the system should be open source or proprietary. An open source system doesn't cost anything, but it can be difficult to configure for certain tracking processes. Proprietary systems, on the other hand, can be built around your precise needs. Considering that proprietary systems can be implemented on a pay as you go basis, and can cost less than $100 a month, you may as well spend some money to get what you need: a system that will configure to your process.
The next concern is tracking options. If you need help, consult a provider of bug and task tracking software. As you go about deciding on options, be sure to choose a system that offers the following value-added options, which could streamline the testing process in several ways: email notifications, file attachments, and custom reporting capability. If you plan on using the system to track user reported bugs after the software's release, be sure it allows bug reporting through a website.
Conclusion
Software testing tools for bug, defect, and issue tracking are a necessary part of the software testing process, and the type of system you implement can impact the quality of your tests. While most testers choose SaaS systems for their technological and financial advantages over in house systems, whether or not to pay for SaaS systems can be a point of contention.
Although proprietary systems offer the most configurability, there are other reasons to choose them as well. For one, their source code is hidden, which deters hackers who pursue the path of least resistance. For another, they receive updates more frequently. Another benefit is that they offer customer service - something that open source systems rarely offer.
If you find yourself debating between an open source system and a proprietary one, the latter is best choice if you plan on using the system long-term.
In my research on software testing tools, I studied the considerations for choosing bug, defect and task tracking software for software testing.
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