7 essential steps to top-down integration testing

The demand for software testing is growing steadily across organizations globally. The types of software testing are proving to be highly productive and rewarding for organizations undertaking software development projects. Integration testing is also one of the most important types of software testing. This testing method tests the interaction between integrated modules or units and thus validates the outcome. In this article, you will go through the seven essential steps required for performing top-down integration testing.

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Following are the seven essential steps to perform top-down integration testing:

1. The flexibility factor: The best quality for the product can be achieved through the implementation of a top-down testing method, but, that doesn’t mean it is the be-all and end-all. In certain scenarios, there might be a possibility where the team might have to adapt other testing strategies due to resource allocation constraints. So, being flexible counts in this scenario. The purpose of doing this is to achieve on-time delivery by setting realistic expectations.

2. Develop a tactical test plan: The testing team must adhere to both a detailed integration testing plan and a global plan. Confusion can be avoided and all the team members will have a clear idea about the testing strategy. Planning of documents will work as go-to resources regarding approaches, focus areas and timelines. In the case of top-down tests, the team can get the required help from a detailed test plan, so that the team can easily navigate through complex system structures, which will, in turn, reduce costs and save significant efforts in the long run. 

3. The value of shift-left technique: Testing activities should be initiated in the early stages of the software development life cycle. This will in turn reduce costs that are associated with identifying and fixing issues. Alongside development, if QA is introduced then this will positively impact the frequency of releases and thus lay down the foundation for accelerated software delivery.

4. The dominance of automation: There is a synergy between automation and integration tests. If agile methodologies are already being used by the team then test automation is not something that can be a challenge of sorts, but still, in certain scenarios, there is an inclination towards manual testing due to talent and costs shortage. There is always a scope to build resources over time and capitalize on test automation based on the business demands.

5. Integration tests and unit tests are dissimilar: It is being noted that there is confusion that arises when it comes to comparing integration tests with unit tests. Business logic inconsistencies can be verified and checked by conducting unit tests. On the contrary, if the team is focused on recurring integration checks then it might create a hassle when it comes to completing the project on time.

Instead, the quality of the code should be targeted to identify and resolve issues in the early stages of software development.

6. Combine integration testing methods: Rather than just the source code quality, there are many more external factors that define the end-user experience such as databases, servers, tools, production ecosystems etc. The methodology, engagement model and project size can evolve and change, and hence to continue to succeed, different testing strategies should be combined to achieve the desired outcome.

7. Analyse test results: Even if there is a well-defined strategy for performing integration testing, there is always a possibility to simulate the work of receiving modules, so that more realistic test results can be achieved.