Agile projects rely on speed, iterative development and close collaboration. But what does this mean for testing? First of all, quality remains a key objective in an agile environment - it is just ensured differently than in traditional projects.
In this article, you will learn what really matters when testing in agile projects, which principles apply and how testing can be effectively integrated into short development cycles.
Quality is no coincidence - not even in agile projects
Traditional projects are often planned for a long time and tested at the end. Agile methods such as Scrum or SAFe break with this logic: testing starts early and accompanies the project continuously. Errors are not identified and rectified at the end, but immediately.
This requires a rethink: testing is not seen as a separate phase, but as an integral part of the development process.
The most important principles for agile testing
For testing to succeed in agile projects, clear principles and roles are needed. These are particularly important:
- Early testingTests are considered right from the start - often when writing the requirements.
- Test-driven developmentMethods such as TDD (Test Driven Development) promote quality right from the start.
- AutomationRepetitive tests are automated to ensure speed and repeatability.
- Close cooperationTesters, developers and product owners work closely together - in a spirit of shared responsibility.
- Transparency and feedbackTests provide regular feedback on product quality - and thus strengthen control capability.
Requirements and tests: two sides of the same coin
Good tests need clear requirements - this is just as true in agile projects as it is in traditional environments. Methods such as requirements engineering according to IREB ensure that requirements are precise, testable and comprehensible.
In practice, this means
- Requirements and acceptance criteria are formulated together
- Each sprint delivers potentially testable results
- Tests help to validate requirements validate, not just verify
This creates a closed cycle of requirements, implementation and quality control.
ISTQBThe methodological foundation for agile testing
The ISTQB Certified Tester offers a globally recognized qualification model for professional software testing - also in an agile context. In the ISTQB training courses at SERVIEW you will learn, among other things:
- Which roles and processes testing takes on in the agile team
- How to make requirements testable and convert them into test cases
- How to build agile test strategies and use automation sensibly
- Which tools and techniques are state of the art today
Conclusion: Testing is part of the agile culture
Agile working does not mean "less testing" - it means better, more targeted and more integrated testing. When tests are integrated right from the start, quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction increase. If you want to successfully manage agile projects, testing should not be seen as a control - but as a strategic tool for quality assurance.
Previously published
Would you like to know how requirements work as a communication tool? Then we recommend the article:
Requirements as a communication tool: Creating clarity in the project team
Training tip: ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level 4.0 at SERVIEW
In the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level 4.0 training course at SERVIEW you will learn how to set up testing professionally, methodically and practically - ideal for agile projects, cross-functional teams and modern quality processes.
Find out more now:
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