GUI Testing: Poke It Yourself!

GUI Testing is a type of software testing of which all software testing professionals should have full mastery. Whether performed with automation tools or the skills of a manual testing artist, there is no substitute for the hands-on expertise of an elite QA Tester.

What Is It?

GUI stands for:
Graphic
User
Interface

So what we are talking about here is Graphic User Interface Testing. But what is it? It is the validation of all data points related to and/or emanating from the pretty pictures you see on the screen when you use any piece of software.

In simpler terms, GUI testing is focused on ensuring that the menus, buttons, icons, etc. perform as designed. Any interaction that the user can have with software that is not text-based falls into the realm of GUI testing.

Why Is GUI Testing Important?

All of the most wonderful and powerful code is wasted if it is not available to a user. The GUI is the simplest way to interact with people who are not computer literate. The graphical point-and-click interface has opened up the world of computers and computer software to millions of people all over the world. If the GUI that they see doesn’t work, then their computer is nothing more to them than a paperweight.

Through the GUI, the home computer became a tool that anyone could learn and use. A GUI can span language barriers because it is based on pictures, not just words. If the GUI works then the computer is a tool. If the GUI doesn’t work or is too difficult or confusing, then the computer becomes a burden to millions of otherwise intelligent, productive people.

GUI testing is a critical link in ensuring that the computer remains a tool for people throughout the world. This is a key part of the job of a software tester. The video game tester, the lead tester, the beta tester, and even the QA Manager must be critical in their evaluation of the GUI and make their best effort to ensure its usability.

Manual or Automated?

In order to save time and money, there is often a very strong push to automate as much GUI testing as possible. When executed properly, this test automation can prove most useful. With so many off-the-shelf tools available as well as the number of tools coded in-house, it would almost be foolish not to automate much of this testing.

However, the computer software testing industry must be careful not to overlook the human element. Automating GUI testing has the same benefits and drawbacks as any other type of automation – it is not a “gimme” that automation alone will suffice.

Set up automated tests and be sure they are accurate and running smoothly, but don’t forget about manual testing. Unleashing a well trained software tester on a GUI under development can be invaluable. The human tester can evaluate the interface’s ease-of-use, its clarity, and its look-and-feel…software can’t do that yet.

What To Look For

This may seem like a lot for just a simple test, but this really is one of the more straightforward types of testing that any tester will perform. In many cases, it is the only job a video game tester will perform.

However simple it may seem, it is imperative for all consumer-facing software that a human is involved in testing the GUI. There is too much subjectivity involved for this to be overlooked. Automate, yes! And then get the most skilled, demographic knowledgeable QA Professional that you can find to evaluate the GUI. Your customers deserve it, your software deserves it, and your brand deserves it!

Factors to test for:
• Look and Feel – This is very subjective, but if you are a skilled tester then you know your audience. Is the GUI’s presentation and navigability appropriate for the target audience?
• Ease of use – Does the presentation make the software simple and straightforward to use?
• Clarity – Are all graphics and accompanying text visible and unambiguous?
• Functionality – All menus, buttons, icons, etc. should respond as expected
• Feedback – All instances of information or feedback presented to the user should be done accurately and in a way that is easy for them to understand
• Uniformity – All graphics and text, button shape and effects, fonts, colors, etc. must be uniform

That is it in a nutshell. Those are the main issues to consider when executing GUI testing – presented in the simplest manner possible. There are many more complex ways to break this down, but we strive for simplicity. Never make your testing more complex than it needs to be.

As you progress in your understanding of software testing, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and intricacies of GUI testing. As you gain greater expertise and experience you will be able to bring even more impactful testing to bear as you advocate for the consumer.





Return from GUI Testing: Poke It Yourself! to Successful Quality Assurance Home