How to Efficiently Regression Test Your Oracle Cloud ERP Application
Tags: regression, testing
Published: 2023-06-01 01:45:20

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IBM recently reported that software defects can cost up to 30 times more to fix in production than during the development phase. Regression testing detects and prevents such software defects in advance. In fact, a survey by Capgemini found that 58% of organizations believe that regression testing is one of the most important testing activities, and 90% of organizations regularly perform regression testing.

Interestingly, despite knowing the importance of regression testing, many organizations find it difficult to implement it effectively. According to a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), more than half of all software errors are caused by inadequate testing.

That's why it's crucial for businesses to prioritize regression testing and ensure that it's carried out thoroughly and consistently. By doing so, one can reduce the risk of hefty costs from software defects and ensure that products are reliable, stable, and meet the needs of their users. 

**Regression Testing**

Regression testing involves testing a modified or updated computer program to ensure that previously developed and tested software feature(s) still function(s) the same way as before. The purpose of regression testing is to identify and eliminate any potential risks associated with updates to websites or applications.

**Do you think you need it**?

Typically, a dedicated QA team conducts regression testing after the development team is done with developments. Doing so ensures that any changes or updates made to the software do not have a negative impact on its performance or stability. Conducting thorough regression testing helps organizations maintain the quality and reliability of their software products and ensures that they continue to meet the needs of their users.

**Challenges While You Regression Test your Oracle Cloud ERP Application**

According to a Panaya survey, 53% of organizations are facing challenges with regression testing for Oracle Cloud ERP applications. It's not surprising, given the constantly evolving and complex nature of ERP systems. Thorough, efficient, and effective regression testing is crucial in preventing costly errors and downtime. 

In this section, we will explore the key challenges that organizations face when regression testing Oracle Cloud ERP applications and suggest strategies to overcome them.

**Time Limitations**

Industry research indicates that QA teams find regression testing time-consuming and difficult to complete within a short timeframe. As new functionalities get added over time, the workload of testers increases significantly due to the increased number of test cases required for the regression test cycle. These factors can lead to delays in software releases and increased costs for organizations.

**Cost**

Organizations struggle with the expenses associated with regression testing for ERP applications. It can be costly. Budget limitations can force organizations to prioritize only a few test cases to run, which may leave some areas of the application untested. However, ignoring regression testing is worse. This can lead to bugs that pile up over time and limit the user experience and business goals.

**Effort**

Capgemini's study found that over 60% of organizations report a high level of complexity in their software systems, indicating that software complexity is increasing at an alarming rate. Digital products that receive frequent updates with new features and functionalities are particularly affected. Therefore, creating and adapting test cases to keep up with the evolving nature of software can be a complex and challenging task.

Executing a comprehensive regression test suite can pose challenges due to time and budget constraints. As the number of features in a product increases, the number of test cases required for regression testing also increases. Optimizing a test suite for maximum test coverage and reduced execution time requires an understanding of when to run the test suite, whether it is after every minor change, after every build, or when bug fixes are available.

**How to Efficiently Regression Test Your Oracle Cloud Erp Application**?

**Gather tests for execution**: Start by collecting all test cases that you intend to re-execute, and prioritize them based on error-prone areas, main functions, and complex scenarios.

**Prioritize test cases**: Focus on test cases that cover critical functionalities and processes, as well as areas of the application that are most likely to be affected by changes. However, do not miss out on less important areas!

**Automate with Regression Test Automation tools**: Use automation tools to execute test cases that are repetitive or time-consuming, freeing up QA specialists to focus on more complex scenarios.

**Use test management tools**: Keep track of test cases, prioritize them, and schedule test runs using test management tools.

**Conduct risk-based testing**: Identify and prioritize areas of the application that are most susceptible to issues by performing risk-based testing.

**Run tests in parallel**: Scale your testing efforts as needed by using cloud-based testing environments that provide on-demand access to a wide range of testing resources.

**Use cloud-based testing environments**: Cloud-based testing environments can provide on-demand access to a wide range of testing resources, enabling you to scale your testing efforts as needed.

**Collaborate with the development team**: Work closely with the development team to ensure that regression testing is integrated into the development process and that testing feedback is acted upon in a timely manner.

**What Are the Direct Benefits of Efficient Regression Testing**?

**Ensuring Stability**: Regression testing ensures that any changes made to the code, including bug fixes or new feature additions, do not negatively impact the existing code. This helps to maintain the stability of the product and avoid any unforeseen issues.

**Improving Quality**: Regression testing helps to identify any new defects that may have been introduced during the development process by testing the entire system after making any changes. This ensures that QA teams maintain and improve the quality of the product and address any issues in a timely manner.

**Prioritizing Test Cases**: During regression testing, QA teams prioritize test cases based on the changes made to the existing features. This allows for efficient testing and ensures that the most critical areas of the system are thoroughly tested. This helps organizations save time and resources by focusing on the areas that are most likely to be affected by changes.

**Regression Test Automation with Opkey**

Opkey has helped hundreds of leading enterprises automate regression testing, including Pfizer, Gap, and Knoll. Automated regression testing offers several benefits over manual testing. Here are the key advantages of using Opkey for regression testing:

**Fast Execution**: Automated tests run much faster than manual tests, allowing for quicker feedback on changes made to the application.

**Targeted Feedback**: Automated regression tests generate clear and comprehensive reports, enabling developers and testers to identify the code changes that led to application glitches. This targeted feedback helps in quicker issue resolution and reduces the need for one-on-one communication across teams.

**Distributed Regression Tests**: With Opkey, it is possible to distribute the regression test suite across various platforms/systems to run tests in parallel. This approach can save time and reduce the duration of the regression testing cycle.

**Integration Support**: Opkey integrates with most of the commonly used CI/CD tools, providing a seamless regression testing experience for teams.

**Test Reports**: Opkey generates detailed and comprehensive test reports for every test run. This allows testers and developers to debug issues efficiently and helps in improving the quality of the product.

Organizations can achieve better and quicker results by using Opkey for regression testing.