Page 76 - SOFTWARE TESTING & QUALITY ASSURANCE

Unit 5: Special Types of Testing

(b) Check if the user interface is organized and laid out well. Ensure that it allows you to
navigate from one function to another. At any given time, you should be able to do nothing,
back up, or back out.
(c) Check for excessive functionality. Ensure that the software does not try to do too much,
either as whole or as a part.
(d) Check if the help system really helps when everything fails.

3. Consistent: Consistency within the software and with other software is a key attribute.
Inconsistencies when moving from one program to another frustrate the users. Thus, it is
necessary to follow a standard for the software or the platform, else attention must be paid to the
features of the software to ensure that similar operations are performed in the same way.
The consistency criteria to be outlined while performing usability testing are:
(a) Shortcut Keys and Menu Selections: The shortcut keys are similar to accessing Help by
pressing F1 in Windows.

(b) Terminology and Naming: You need to look for same terms used throughout different
versions of the software and check whether the features are named consistently.

Is the Find always known as Find or by any other name like Search?

(c) Audience: You need to check whether the software consistently addresses all kinds of
audience level.
(d) OK and Cancel Button Locations: You need to check whether the location of the buttons
remains same from one platform to another.

The keyboard equivalents present on screen must be consistent. The Escape
(Esc) key should always cancel operations.

4. Flexible: Flexibility relates to the ease with which the user performs tasks as per requirements.

A calculator having both scientific and standard normal view.

Flexibility in software provides the following features:
(a) State Jumping: Software which is very flexible, gives more options to accomplish the same
task.
(b) State Termination and Skipping: Software with power-user modes allows the user to skip
numerous prompts or windows and go to the destination directly.

A voicemail system in a hospital which allows you to directly punch in the
extension you require.

(c) Data Input and Output: Users demand ways in which they can enter data and view their
results.

It is possible to enter text on a WordPad in six different ways which include:

Type texts, paste text, load text, insert an object, and drag it using the mouse
from another program.

5. Comfortable: The user must be comfortable using the software.
(a) Appropriateness: The software designed must have a proper look, feel, and relate to what it
is supposed to do.

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