THE CHALLENGES OF IOS8 APPLICATION CERTIFICATION TESTING
So how are you going to get it all done? If you’ve reviewed the features coming up in the release of iOS8, there’s a lot of testing ground to cover. How are you going to certify that your apps are updated and ready if you’re still coding the updates? The typical two week notice period is barely enough time to investigate, design, and code let alone test and certify the application. The first step in managing rapid testing efforts is organization – simple, straight forward organization. I’ll discuss the role of test planning for fast and effective testing.
Be brief and specific
Yes, a test plan is necessary but it doesn’t have to be a paperweight that no one reads. The test plan defines what testing will be done in specific terms. A single page test plan in any format works. The test plan provides a method of planning rapid testing in an effective manner.
Conduct risk based testing
Rapid, valuable testing needs to be risk based. Your QA resource won’t be able to cover multiple types of testing thoroughly in a rapid test cycle. The first step in the test plan is having the team define which areas must be tested because they inherently contain the greatest risk of failure. iOS8 features cover new MDM related administrative options and significant security testing impacts.
Define test types and unit testing
Define the type of testing based on risk that you can test. Based on the new features in iOS8, functional and security testing are critical. Handling the certificate usage, the handoff between devices and transferring confidential data means security and data sharing issues. It’s possible to combine testing into a single test suite covering multiple high-risk areas and imperative to include developer written unit tests to assist in test coverage. If you plan it out in advance, you’ll know what functionality you are testing and how thoroughly.
Continuously test
Testing never stops. Continuous testing is executing all the other testing you didn’t have time to do. For example, the optional features in iOS8 mean you need tests when features are turned on and when they’re turned off as well as random combinations. Additionally, performance, compatibility, interface, services and operational testing may be options you need to plan for and execute between release cycles.
