case study examples testing

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Software Testing Client Project Case Study

Apr 21 • Case Studies

We are often asked what software testing is . The video below shares a solid definition of the term.

But we thought a software testing project case study might be helpful to better understand what software testers do on a typical day. This includes testing software, writing requirement documents for our clients, and creating user guides to ensure compliance for our clients to use for quality assurance and auditing purposes.

Iterators LLC was hired to complete accessibility testing for a few projects for the Library of Congress (LOC). Accessibility testing is required on all government websites, with Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 requirements used. To become a Trusted Tester an employee must complete the DHS Trusted Tester online training course requirements and pass the DHS Section 508 Trusted Tester Certification Exam of Homeland Security in Accessibility, and we are in a unique position to help on this project. We cross-train all our employees so that we can work on several projects at one time or several different aspects of a project to complete the work and reduce the cost to our clients.

Our first project assigned by LOC was testing their new braille feature on BARD Mobile for Android. We were tasked with testing the braille feature with several refreshable braille displays.

During our testing, we used the Orbit Reader 20 , and two different braille displays from Freedom Focus 14 and Freedom Focus 40 . There are plans to use other refreshable displays such as Humanware, but this testing has not occurred yet. We needed to test refreshable braille displays and their use in tandem with Google BrailleBack and Google TalkBack .

This work was to ensure that all hardware worked as expected with the apps we were testing. For this testing, we had to complete functional testing, smoke testing, exploratory testing and had a user panel to ensure we caught all issues that a visually impaired individual might experience while using the app.

Initially, our client was unsure if we would find any bugs and hesitant to have us enter bugs into Bugzilla as they stated the software was “complicated”. Bugzilla is a web-based general-purpose bug tracking system and not unlike other bug tracking systems we use every day such as Jira, TestRails, PractiTest, and Click-Up.

Testing was completed over several agile sprints with many significant software testing bugs found. Our testing had us test against the National Library Service requirements document. Next, we had to create an up-to-date user manual. While the manual had been updated several times, the testing had not been.

For example, when downloading a book or magazine from the Now Reading section of the mobile app, the download would end up at the bottom of the page. For years, the user guide had listed the download being at the top of the page once the document was downloaded.

Our testing team, on several occasions, said this was an error in the documentation and that the download ends up at the bottom of the page. This was corrected in the user document and sent to the development team to fix per the requirement document.

Over the next several months, we reported 30 high-priority bugs with about half fixed at this point. We have encouraged our client to test in an agile fashion because once the development team is finished, it’s harder to get these bugs fixed.

Our bugs were reported and based on the requirement document used to create the software. Lastly, the user guide had to be rewritten to reflect the app's behavior and general updates.

Once the app was tested and created, the user guide was sent to Communication Services to ensure the style used per other requirement documentation. This document had to be approved before being disseminated to the public. For example, how does the library determine what the Most Popular Books are, and over what period.

Once the document was returned from COS, this PDF document had to be remediated . The process of remediation is to make a PDF, create the heading for the document, alt text added to meaningful images, and decorative images either ignored or taken out of the digital document altogether.

Once the remediation process is complete and validated, the document becomes ADA-compliant. We then provide an accessible PDF that can be read with the use of a screen reader and create the HTML output so that the document can be added to the Library of Congress website.

You can find the current user guide we completed here: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/bard-access/bard-mobile-android/#creatingfolders3.3

Case studies can be a great learning tool in software testing and project management. By looking at project case study examples, you can see how the project was planned and executed, as well as how certain tasks were managed. This can give a better understanding of what software testing involves on a daily basis. With the right software testing case studies example, software testers can hone their skills, improve project performance, and ultimately deliver better software testing results.

Related Resources:

Crafting an Effective Test Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Top Test Management Tools
Mobile Application Functional and Performance Testing

About the Author

Jill Willcox has worked on accessibility issues for most of her professional career. Iterators is an inclusive women-owned small business (WOSB) certified by the Small Business Administration and WBENC. We provide software testing services for websites, mobile apps, enterprise software, and PDF remediation services, rendering PDFs ADA compliant.

Jill Willcox

Clutch names iterators llc as a top certified women-owned business for 2022.

Iterators LLC named Top Certified Women0owned Business Again 2022

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May 05 • Reference

10 Real Case Examples for Software Test Plans

1. Functional Software Testing Plans

Example: A bank software developer tests individual functions like calculating interest, withdrawing funds, and checking account balances. By isolating these functions, developers can identify and fix potential issues early in the development process. For instance, a test case might involve testing the interest calculation function with different input values, such as positive, negative, and zero balances, to ensure accurate results.
Example: A team tests how an e-commerce website's shopping cart module interacts with the payment gateway and inventory system. This involves ensuring that the modules work seamlessly together and that transactions are processed correctly. For example, a test case might simulate a customer adding items to their cart, proceeding to checkout, and completing a purchase.
Example: A gaming company tests the entire game to ensure it runs smoothly, characters behave as expected, and the storyline is coherent. This involves testing the game's gameplay mechanics, graphics, sound, and overall user experience. For example, a test case might involve playing through the entire game, testing different game modes, and checking for any bugs or glitches.
Example: A customer tests a new CRM software to verify that it meets their specific requirements for sales tracking, lead management, and customer support. This involves testing the software in a real-world environment to ensure it meets the customer's needs and expectations. For example, a test case might involve simulating a sales representative's workflow, from prospecting to closing deals, and evaluating the software's effectiveness in supporting these tasks.

2. Non-Functional Software Testing Plans

Example: A web application developer tests how the website handles peak traffic during a major sale to ensure it doesn't crash or become slow. This involves simulating high loads and measuring the website's response time, throughput, and resource usage. For example, a test case might involve generating thousands of concurrent requests to the website and monitoring its performance metrics.
Example: A healthcare software company conducts vulnerability assessments to identify potential security breaches that could compromise patient data. This involves testing the software's security features, such as encryption, authentication, and access controls, to ensure that it is protected against unauthorized access. For example, a test case might involve attempting to hack into the software to identify vulnerabilities and test the effectiveness of its security measures.
Example: A mobile app developer observes users interacting with the app to identify any areas where the interface might be confusing or difficult to navigate. This involves gathering feedback from users and making improvements to the app's design and functionality. For example, a test case might involve observing users as they use the app and asking them to complete specific tasks to identify any usability issues.
Example: A browser developer tests the browser on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and devices (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone) to ensure compatibility. This involves testing the browser's functionality and performance on various platforms and devices to ensure it works as expected. For example, a test case might involve testing the browser's rendering engine, JavaScript execution, and plugin compatibility on different operating systems and devices.
Example: A language learning app tests the translation and cultural accuracy of the content in different languages, such as Spanish, French, and Chinese. This involves ensuring that the app's content is appropriate and culturally sensitive for different regions. For example, a test case might involve testing the app's translation accuracy, cultural references, and user interface elements in different languages.
Example: After adding a new feature to a social media platform, the team retests existing features to ensure that the new feature hasn't introduced any bugs or broken existing functionality. This involves running a comprehensive suite of tests to verify that the software still works as expected after changes are made. For example, a test case might involve testing existing features like posting, commenting, and messaging to ensure they continue to function properly after the new feature is added.

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In conclusion

Top 20 Automation Testing Case Studies in 2024

Test automation has become a top priority for software teams looking to improve quality, accelerate releases, and keep up with the demands of modern development. Studies show that test automation is now mainstream – 46% of companies have automated over 50% of their tests.

But what are the real-world results of test automation? In this comprehensive post, we‘ll examine 20 compelling case studies of automation success.

You‘ll see how real companies of all sizes and industries have leveraged automation to:

Reduce testing time by up to 99%
Increase test coverage by 50-100%
Improve software quality and prevent defects
Ship features and updates faster
Scale test execution across browsers, devices, and datasets
Overcome inconsistent manual testing

We‘ll also dig into the specific testing challenges that drove these companies to adopt automation, like bad code quality, delayed releases, and limited test coverage.

By the end, you‘ll have data-backed answers to questions like:

What are the quantifiable benefits of test automation?
How does automation address common testing pitfalls?
What results are realistic with automated testing?
How can we build a business case for more test automation?

Let‘s get started exploring these real-world examples of test automation success.

The Growing Importance of Test Automation

Let‘s first look at key statistics that demonstrate why test automation has become a top priority:

46% of companies have automated over 50% of tests – adoption is now mainstream ( source )
#1 priority is improving test coverage – critical for finding defects early ( source )
55% aim to improve quality – preventing bugs from reaching users ( source )
30% want to reduce time-to-market – accelerating release cycles ( source )
75% plan increased future investment – automation is a strategic priority ( source )

Given these compelling trends, real-world examples and measurable results are key to building the business case for more test automation investment. That‘s where in-depth case studies come in.

Examples of Test Automation Case Studies

Here are 20 detailed case studies of companies reaping significant rewards from intelligent test automation:

Let‘s analyze some key patterns and results:

Up to 99% testing time reduction – Companies like Slido and GoFundMe saw 24-50x test speed improvements.
50-100% increased coverage – Test automation allowed more scenarios, browsers, and devices to be tested in parallel.
Prevented defects and improved quality – Companies no longer relied on inconsistent manual testing.
Overcame flaky tests – Reworked frameworks reduced failures by up to 99% in some cases.
Improved release velocity – Faster testing meant faster iterations and production deployments.
Increased scale – Automated data-driven and cross-browser testing achieved scale.
Updated skills – Teams with varying expertise could now contribute tests.

These impressive results validate that test automation can deliver big wins – but why did these companies feel compelled to automate in the first place? Let‘s explore some of the root causes.

Common Testing Pitfalls Addressed by Automation

While each company‘s context was unique, several had common testing anti-patterns that test automation helped resolve:

Bad Code Quality

Developers tend to skip testing when it‘s painful and lacks clear value. But limited testing leads to bugs reaching users, causing:

Higher fix costs – 10-100x more expensive to fix bugs later ( source )
Lower quality – More defects and experience issues
Revenue loss – Bugs hurt customer satisfaction and retention

Studies confirm test automation helps improve code quality:

55% adopt automation to enhance quality ( source )
75% saw improved quality from automation ( source )
46% replaced over 50% of manual tests ( source )

By making testing standard practice, automation prevents bad code from reaching end users.

Slow Release Cycles

Manual testing remains time-intensive, consuming 35% of the testing cycle ( source ). This slows releases and feedback.

Test automation accelerates releases:

30% prioritize faster time-to-market ( source )
Case studies showed up to 50x more test executions per day
75% saw release acceleration from automation ( source )

More tests in less time means faster iterations, deployments, and delivery of business value.

Limited Test Coverage

Due to constraints, manual testing only covers a sample of all possible scenarios. But lower coverage leaves bugs undiscovered.

63% prioritize improving coverage ( source )
Case studies increased coverage 50-100% with automation
75% expanded test coverage with automation ( source )

Automated testing provides exhaustive, reproducible coverage across browsers, devices, and configurations – improving quality.

Consistency & Maintenance

Manual testing is susceptible to human mistakes and oversights. Tests must be constantly maintained and updated.

Automation ensures:

Every test runs precisely the same way each time
Tests are code/scripts that easily evolve along with the application
Less human intervention minimizes mistakes

Reliable automation reduces maintenance overhead while improving consistency.

Additional Test Automation Case Studies

For further examples of automation success, see these case studies:

QASymphony (JIRA Testing)
CDW (TestComplete)
CAKE (Test Automation Framework)
ShiftLeft (Code Testing)

Additionally, ThoughtWorks Technology Radar recommends automated testing as an adoption priority thanks to maturing solutions.

Key Takeaways

These real-world examples clearly illustrate the benefits and business case for intelligent test automation, including:

Substantially faster testing – Dramatic improvements in test execution time, allowing for more frequent runs.

Improved coverage – Automated testing covers more code paths, scenarios, browsers, devices, and configurations compared to manual.

Higher product quality – Automation consistently executes tests to meet quality standards and prevent defects.

Faster delivery – With accelerated testing, companies deploy features and updates more rapidly.

Enhanced consistency – Automated tests perform precisely the same every time, reducing human error.

Scalability – Automation provides ability to scale test data, scenarios and environments.

Ease of maintenance – Automated tests are scripted so they integrate with any CI/CD pipeline and evolve alongside the app.

Expanded skill set – Teams leverage automation tools tailored to their expertise, from code-free to expert coding.

Measurable ROI – Companies quantifiably measure improvements in speed, coverage, quality, costs, and customer satisfaction.

The data shows intelligent test automation is now a required practice for competitive development. While upfront investment is required, leading companies prove automation provides sizable returns in speed, quality, cost savings, and customer experience.

I am Paul Christiano, a fervent explorer at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their broader implications for society. Renowned as a leading figure in AI safety research, my passion lies in ensuring that the exponential powers of AI are harnessed for the greater good. Throughout my career, I've grappled with the challenges of aligning machine learning systems with human ethics and values. My work is driven by a belief that as AI becomes an even more integral part of our world, it's imperative to build systems that are transparent, trustworthy, and beneficial. I'm honored to be a part of the global effort to guide AI towards a future that prioritizes safety and the betterment of humanity.