What is test impact analysis?
Test Impact Analysis is a methodology that identifies which tests need to be executed based on the changes made in the code, rather than running the entire test suite.
Due to the fast pace of agile development, detailed information about which functional areas are really impacted by code modifications is often not available and trustworthy.
As a result, software testers struggle to define an effective non-regression testing strategy that ensures proper coverage and contains testing session duration and effort. That’s when tools for Test Impact Analysis come into play.
What are the benefits of test impact analysis?
Adopting a Test Impact Analysis (TIA) tool brings several added values in the context of software development and testing.
1. Faster Testing
Less Waiting: A TIA tool helps identify which tests need to be run based on software changes, so testers don’t need to test everything. This makes the testing process much faster.
2. Cost Savings
Lower Expenses: By only running necessary tests, a TIA tool helps save money on computing power and reduces the time and effort needed for testing, which can lower overall costs.
3. Quicker Feedback
Faster Issue Detection: Since only the most important tests are run, developers get quicker feedback when something goes wrong, helping them fix issues faster.
4. Reduced Risk
More Focused Testing: The tool helps focus testing on the parts of the software that are affected by changes, reducing the chance of missing important bugs.
5. Better Productivity
More Efficient Work: With faster testing and more accurate results, teams can work more efficiently and focus on what matters without wasting time on unnecessary testing.
6. Higher Confidence in Quality
Improved Reliability: By ensuring the right tests are run, teams can be more confident that the software is working correctly, which improves the overall quality of the product.
How can you smooth your testing process?
Arcan Impact Analysis is a Test Impact Analysis (TIA) tool with extra power. It helps teams make sense of code changes in new software versions by identifying which existing features are affected by those changes.
With its Change Impact Map, Arcan enables DevOps teams to plan new releases with confidence, knowing exactly how new updates will impact the current system. For testers, Arcan streamlines the testing process by showing the minimal set of tests needed to catch bugs quickly and prevent issues from creeping into the existing code.
What sets Arcan apart? It’s programming language agnostic, meaning it can be used on any codebase without limitations.
Unlike many tools that rely on reading and analyzing the source code, Arcan uses machine learning models to predict how code will evolve and identify potential impacts. This innovative approach makes Arcan more flexible and adaptable to any technology stack.