What Is Manual Regression Testing, Why Is It Important, And When Should It Be Done?

Product maintenance and development are always accompanied by adding new features or improving the existing ones. While this sounds beneficial for users as they receive more value, for developers, every new idea is a great deal of work. On top of feature development, testing is also an equally important process. When changes are made to the code, the best method to test them is to apply manual regression testing. This process ensures that the platform’s overall performance stays the same even when deploying new functions. In this article, we will uncover the benefits of manual regression testing and how to conduct it to get the best outcomes.

What Is Manual Regression Testing?

Manual regression testing is software testing performed when the code is updated. In other words, it checks whether the platform works without bugs after the new implementations. Even if you create a well-planned feature, while integrating with the whole structure, the algorithms may have a conflict.

Regression testing demands a rigorous approach, as its procedure is complicated. It is possible to set and run suites repetitively during automated regression testing. However, the results are more efficient and accurate when the human eye is involved.

Why Is Manual Regression Testing Important?

Imagine that you have found a bug in the login stage. You have successfully fixed it and now want to implement a new step in the onboarding scenario. Even though you resolved the issue with the login, the new feature might again trigger it and result in a new bug. To avoid situations like that, you have to run manual regression testing.

Even if you didn’t encounter any malfunctions in the past, even the slightest change in the code can cause the domino effect, where the whole platform can be put in danger. To maintain the architecture of software, a proper check-up before the release of new features is essential.

What Are the Benefits of Manual Regression Testing?

The multi-stage process of manual regression testing is worth it. And here is why:

• It reduces the risks. It is always stressful to add something new. On the one hand, it improves your software, but on the other hand, one wrong step may cause too many hours of debugging for the quality assurance (QA) team. Running regression tests before the release or improvement of the new function reduces the risk of getting into trouble with the code.
• It ensures the previous functionality is working as it should. Cashing in all previously created features with one new improvement is very easy. That is why it is better to get insured by running regression tests.
• It offers quick error detection. This type of testing can help you identify possible issues even in the development stage. Thus, you will be able to fix those imperfections without delay.
• It saves time. You can ensure your platform is stable and reliable when implementing regular manual regression tests. This will save you time in implementing new features and offering beta testing for users.

How to Do Manual Regression Testing?

The process of re-running all functional and non-functional platform parts consists of the next parts.

Testing Plan Creation

At the very beginning, it is crucial to create a vision of what you expect to receive from the manual regression testing. Do you want to re-test your whole software? Or do you want to check whether your platform easily accepts new features? Or maybe you just want to detect bugs in your current software version.

Every time you do regression testing, you will have another purpose. That is why you have to draw up a plan with the requirements for testing. This will help QA team members stick to one point of view.

Defining Test Cases to Be Executed

Even when you circle out the goal of regression testing, choosing test cases leaves a lot of work to do. To conduct successful testing, you can choose among the following categories of tests: test cases for repeated issues, for the core functionality of the platform, for features that have been improved recently, integration test cases, or boundary value test cases.

Choosing test cases can also help you with future software check-ups as you can divide them into two groups: those that can be reused and those that apply only to this testing cycle.

Test Case Execution and Results Recording

At this stage, the actual regression testing is performed. A qualified team of QA will manually run the previously identified test cases on the areas of the platform or the platform overall. An essential step in test execution is to record everything that has been done. Every bug should have a report with a comprehensive description of the steps taken, screenshots, and videos.

Preparing a Defect Report for the Development Team to Fix

During the regression testing, for sure, there will be issues. Moreover, the absence of imperfections indicates that something was missed in the procedure. For a development team, a detailed report of the test is worth its weight in gold. Fixing the issue with a clear understanding will take much less time.

Disadvantages of Manual Regression Testing

Along with all the benefits manual regression testing offers, some disadvantages should not be neglected when planning tests. Find them below.

Meticulous Process

Manual regression testing is one of the most complicated tests in its execution. It is a time and resource-consuming process. Imagine how much should be done manually to re-run the test cases multiple times to identify the existing issues and prevent the new ones from appearing. For that matter, the QA team should consist of professionals only. It would be complicated for someone new to keep up with the tests in the middle of testing. Since testing is entwined with other product maintenance and development parts, there should be proper communication between other functional teams.

Laborious Procedure

If, in the case of automated regression testing, it is possible to set tests so that they repeat without human control, the QA team members do every part of manual testing. Also, the whole procedure should be done before making even the slightest change to the code, which makes it a phenomenon that is repeated very often.

For a testing team to conduct manual regression testing, it requires a lot of preparation. For example, this is most relevant to the tools they will be using. Before starting a testing cycle, they must ensure that the instruments are correctly selected and can perform the tasks needed to reach the goal.

Prone to Human Errors

Even though manual testing allows for deeper investigation, the fact that there is a possibility of human error should not be dismissed, especially in procedures like regression testing. This is a continuous process; the task is to re-run multiple tests, sometimes in the same area. So it becomes effortless to make a mistake due to the monotony of work.

The Best Practices of Manual Regression Testing

To conduct manual regression testing most effectively, we recommend you follow those practices.

Using Test Management Tools

Considering the number of processes under which the regression testing cycle is understood, it is only possible to do so with additional tools. Test management tools help to frame those processes logically. Using them will help your team with the following tasks:

• Planning test strategy
• Designing test cases
• Planning tests for platform maintenance
• Providing visual references
• Creating reports
• Minimizing data duplication
• Evaluating progress
• Adjusting to peculiar test requirements

Not only do test management tools help to organize the test procedure, but they also save time for QA engineers by handling tasks for which human impact is not necessary.

Automation of as Many Test Cases as Possible

A combination of automated test cases will not be superfluous, even in manual regression testing. A regression test suite consists of multiple test cases. While some require human attention to the details, the other half of the tests are monotonous and can be automated.

Prioritizing Test Cases That Should Be Executed

Manual regression testing can cover all aspects of the app or website. But you will not always have to test every feature of the platform. That is why prioritizing test cases can increase the accuracy of the results, as the focus will be on the critical issues.

Prioritizing the test cases also helps in reducing costs and saving time. It allows QA engineers to analyze only important points for users and business needs.

Using Different Testing Methods

Along with combining manual regression testing with other testing types, you can use various regression testing techniques. For example, corrective regression testing will suit your needs when making a quick check-up. Such testing methods exist for a more in-depth investigation: selective, partial, progressive, complete, unit, and retest manual regression testing.

Involving Users in Testing

You might think that such a complicated type of testing can be done without user impact, especially for those with little technical background. However, the practice shows that the real people who create the application can also discover bugs and defects. This is because users follow a different logic, which QA engineers can only sometimes predict.

Findings Documentation

The more detailed the report you prepare, the better it is for the development team. Try to include a summary of each test’s scope, objects, and findings. If the bugs were detected, describe every case with little details like your steps and platform reaction and also attach visual proofs like screenshots and screen videos.

Final Words

Regression testing in manual testing is a method of identifying whether the software is ready for new features and whether they have been successfully integrated. Even a small change in the code can ruin its whole architecture, so running tests before releasing new functionality is a must-process.