Agile testing integrates quality assurance and development from the very beginning – discover how principles, methods, and certifications work in practice.
What is Agile Testing?
Basics of Agile Testing
Agile testing is an integral part of agile software development. Unlike the classic waterfall model, where testing usually takes place after implementation, testing in agile projects happens continuously and iteratively. This means testing begins as early as the planning of a user story and accompanies every phase of the development cycle.
Agile testing is based on the principles of the Agile Manifesto: individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change. Testing is not understood as a separate phase, but as a mindset.
Differences from Traditional Testing
The biggest difference lies in integration: testers are not working in isolation but as part of the agile team. Feedback cycles are much shorter, test automation is standard, and close collaboration with developers and product owners ensures higher quality and flexibility.
Agile Testing in the Development Process
The Role of Testing in Agile Teams
In agile teams, all members are responsible for quality. Testers contribute by precisely formulating requirements, defining acceptance criteria, and identifying risks early. Test strategies evolve continuously and adapt to each sprint planning.
Test Types and Automation in the Agile Context
Typical test types in an agile environment include:
● Exploratory testing
● Regression testing
● Acceptance testing
● Usability testing
A central element is test automation. It supports Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) and enables rapid feedback cycles. The Test Pyramid is a guiding model for prioritizing test types.
Practical Examples from Agile Projects
Testing in the Sprint
In a typical Scrum project, testing starts with the definition of “Done” criteria. Acceptance tests are designed and automated alongside development. During the Sprint Review, results are presented and feedback is gathered.
Exploratory Testing in Scrum Teams
Exploratory testing complements automated testing with creative scenarios. It helps uncover unexpected defects and better understand the software from an end-user perspective. In agile teams, it is especially effective because it can flexibly be integrated into sprints.
Continuous Integration and Regression Testing
With every code change, the test suite runs automatically. Regression tests ensure that existing functionality continues to work. Continuous Integration ensures quality is continuously monitored – a significant advantage over traditional development models.