In this era of digital products, QA automation is way more essential than ever to deliver high-quality software. With the growing complexity of modern software, developers need efficient testing strategies to keep up with fast release cycles. To achieve a better productivity level, many teams are now adopting parallel testing as a part of their overall testing strategy.

In this blog, we will look closer at understanding the fundamentals of parallel testing, how it works, its key benefits, and how it can improve software testing practices.

What Is Parallel Testing?

It is a software testing approach where multiple test scripts are executed simultaneously across different environments, devices, or browsers. This technique helps ensure faster feedback and early error detection while optimizing computing resources.

Running tests simultaneously instead of sequentially enables teams to detect and provide better software quality at scale quickly. It’s particularly valuable for large projects where test suites are more time-intensive to execute sequentially.

How Does Parallel Testing Work?

In test parallelization or parallel testing, the testing suite divides into smaller sections, each running on different environments simultaneously. It helps reduce the time needed to complete the testing process.

For instance, if you need to test a web application, you can run the same test on multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) Likewise, you can test the program on different mobile devices (iOS, Android) or operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Automation frameworks like vStellar Test are often used to enable parallel testing. It helps distribute tests among virtual machines or containers, making it easier to perform tests simultaneously on various platforms.

Top 6 Benefits of Parallel Testing

benefits of parallel testing

The key advantage of parallel testing is its ability to speed up execution across multiple versions. Here are some other essential benefits of parallel testing:

Increases Test Coverage

Better test coverage allows you to test your application across multiple devices at once. As a result, you can increase your test coverage and ensure the application is ready for a diverse user base. It’s the best way to mitigate risk and reduce the chance of being released with escaped errors.

Fixes Bugs Early

As it allows faster execution and broader coverage, it also facilitates developers in identifying and fixing bugs earlier in the development process. This significantly gives them more time to actually innovate and create new features rather than just focusing on error fixation.

Lowers Testing Costs

Although it requires an initial investment in automation tools and infrastructure, it reduces long-term testing costs. As tests simultaneously, testing cycles become way shorter, and only a few resources are required to complete the entire process.

Optimizes CI/CD Pipelines

Parallel testing perfectly matches Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD). The effectiveness level of a CI/CD pipeline can easily be measured by its total runtime. Parallel tests allow teams to execute tests and update the entire software development lifecycle as early as developers submit the new code.

Optimizes Testing Practices

A fast-speed testing approach allows more tests in less time, enabling the quality assurance team to detect bugs quickly and identify loopholes much earlier with excellent efficiency.

Speeds up Execution

It’s one of the most significant benefits of parallel testing. You can greatly reduce the overall testing time by running tests simultaneously on multiple environments.

Instead of testing an application separately on multiple browsers or devices, you can run all those tests at the same time. This leads to faster feedback for developers and efficient testing at scale.

Limitations of Parallel Testing

Limitations of Parallel Testing

While parallel testing offers many advantages, there are some limitations to consider as well:

Complex Dependencies: Managing dependencies between test cases and data can be difficult when executing tests in parallel, requiring careful test design.

Flaky Tests: Irregular test failures occur due to unstable test scripts or infrastructure inconsistencies. Running such tests in parallel can cause false positives or negatives, leading to confusion and unnecessary debugging.

Resource Management: Proper resource allocation is necessary to ensure that tests don't overburden the available infrastructure. If resources are insufficient, parallel tests can fail to execute properly, leading to delays or incomplete results.

Multiple Browser Issues: Identifying and debugging browser-specific issues can be more challenging when tests run together on different browsers. Parallel testing allows testers to execute cross-browser compatibility testing. However, its multiple browsers coverage is much more restricted.

Automation Expertise: It is important to understand the product and its functionality precisely when executing parallel testing. For this, there is a great need for an automation expert with outstanding knowledge in parallel testing.

Parallel Testing Best Practices

Parallel Testing Best Practices

To maximize the effectiveness of parallel testing, consider the following best practices:

Optimize Test Case Selection

Not all test cases are suitable for parallel execution. It’s essential to identify tests that are independent of one another and do not share data or execution dependencies. By optimizing the test suite, you ensure that only reliable tests run at once.

Usage of Right Testing Tools

Utilize strong test automation tools and cloud-based platforms to scale parallel testing efficiently.

Ensure Proper Resource Management

Make sure that your infrastructure can handle the load of parallel tests. Proper hardware, software, and network resource management is necessary to avoid failures or delays during execution.

Prioritize Test Stability

Stable, reliable tests are essential for parallel testing. Flaky or unstable tests can disrupt the execution of other tests and lead to misleading results. Focus on creating stable tests that provide consistent results when run concurrently.

Monitor and Analyze Results in Real-Time

Implement real-time monitoring and reporting to detect and resolve issues promptly. It assists in improving overall test effectiveness.

Try vStellar Test’s Advanced Parallel Testing Features!

vStellar Test parallel testing

To speed up software testing and simplify CI/CD processes, vStellar Test offers advanced parallel testing capabilities. This feature enables you to run multiple tests automatically, significantly reducing execution time and improving efficiency. vStellar Test’s low-code interface simplifies the creation and management of complex UI and API tests, making them accessible even to those with minimal coding experience.

Our advanced parallel testing feature can scale your testing processes effectively, ensuring quick and reliable software delivery. This way not only optimizes resource utilization but also improves the overall quality of your software products.

FAQs

What Reporting And Analytics Features Does vStellar Test Offer For Parallel Testing?

vStellar Test provides advanced reporting and detailed analytics for parallel testing, allowing teams to track test execution times, monitor platform performance, and gain insights into overall test quality. Real-time reporting helps teams address issues quickly and improve testing efficiency.

What Are The Two Ways of Scaling Parallel Tests in CI/CD?

The two main types include:

Vertical parallelization: Optimize test execution within existing resources using the CI machine's cores.
Horizontal parallelization: The process that precisely defines each task and controls the flow of execution through design.

How Does vStellar Test's Low-Code Approach Benefit Parallel Testing?

vStellar Test's low-code platform simplifies creating and executing parallel tests. Non-technical team members can easily design and run tests, allowing faster test execution and better scalability in testing workflows.

Top 6 Benefits of Parallel Testing | vStellar Test Guide

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