Test Design Principles and Helpful Tips

Learn how to maximize your test design skills and navigate the trickier aspects of Hexawise functionality.

19 articles in this collection
Written by Justin Hunter, Ivan Filippov, Scott Johnson and 1 other

General

Why do most software tests suck?

The problems found in many manually-designed software tests.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

What do well-designed software tests look like?

The qualities found in a well-designed, high-quality software test.

Written by Scott Johnson
Updated over a week ago

Prioritization: how should we get the biggest "bang for the buck" in a limited number of software tests?

Premier strategies for getting the most out of every single software test.

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

Best Practices for Effective Software Testing

A quick description of some best practices that should be adopted and followed among software test design teams.

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

Thoughtful Test Design Example

See how a thorough set of inputs is selected from a web app to build a Hexawise model and generate optimized Given-When-Then test scenarios.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

Manage regression tests at the "model level" to save time and avoid ever-increasing numbers of tests

Benefits of designing and updating your tests at the model level.

Written by Scott Johnson
Updated over a week ago

Important lessons from "20 Questions"

Lessons learned from the game "20 Questions" applied to software testing.

Written by Justin Hunter
Updated over a week ago

Hexawise-Specific

How to Handle Expected Results in Hexawise

While we don't recommend using Expected Results as Parameters, the approach can have merits. This article will explore options & tradeoffs.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

Use Equivalence Classes or similar strategies rather than long lists of Values

Input definition strategies for creating the most effective set of Hexawise tests.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

Hexawise Process - Sharing and Maintenance

Tips and best practices for the long-term management of Hexawise plans

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

Follow the "Goldilocks Rule" to determine the correct amount of detail

Guidelines for how much detail to include in your Hexawise inputs.

Written by Justin Hunter
Updated over a week ago

Do not include Expected Results as Hexawise Parameters

Expected results should generally not be included as "Parameters" in Hexawise

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

Different types of negative tests need to be handled differently when using Hexawise

Strategies for creating and working with negative tests in Hexawise.

Written by Justin Hunter
Updated over a week ago

Defect Analysis After Hexawise

How to identify the defect reason after you move to combinatorial testing.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

Tips

How to Fix "No Possible Values" Faster

Strategies for identifying the cause of "no possible value" values appearing in your tests.

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

Start by creating parameters for the 5 most obvious things that will be varied

Helpful trick to get past the blank Parameters screen and kickstart your modeling.

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

Think carefully about which outcomes you want your tests to cover

Use the expected outcomes you need to verify to drive your Hexawise inputs.

Written by Ivan Filippov
Updated over a week ago

All-purpose troubleshooting tip when test creation stalls: rename a test input and recalculate solutions

A trick to ensure that Hexawise never gets "stuck".

Written by Conor Wolford
Updated over a week ago

How to Deal with "Select All That Apply" Scenarios

An explanation for how to best handle a commonly-faced tricky test design challenge.

Written by Justin Hunter
Updated over a week ago