Comprehensive Guide on How to Perform Sanity Testing

Here’s a sobering statistic for you: over 48% of software bugs are introduced during the early stages of development, yet nearly 70% of project delays stem from discovering these issues too late in the cycle. Imagine the ripple effects—reworking components, scrambling for solutions, and in the case of many outsourced software testing projects, dealing with the potential communication breakdowns that exacerbate an already fragile timeline. One of the most effective, yet underutilized solutions? Sanity testing.

When I first began diving into quality assurance (QA) for large-scale outsourced projects, I quickly learned that full regression testing for every new change or fix was simply impractical. This led me to implement sanity testing as a strategic, time-efficient approach for verifying critical functionality and ensuring our teams weren’t rolling out regressions. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what sanity testing is, how it differs from smoke testing and regression testing, and offer a step-by-step approach for performing effective sanity testing, especially in fast-paced, collaborative development environments.

What is Sanity Testing?

Sanity testing is a targeted form of testing performed after receiving a new build with minor changes in code or bug fixes. Its primary goal is to ensure that these updates have not introduced any new bugs in critical areas of the application. Rather than conducting an exhaustive check, this type of testing involves running selective tests on the specific functionality impacted by recent code changes.

For example, let’s say we’re working with an outsourcing partner on a banking app, and a bug fix is implemented to address transaction histories displaying incorrect dates. Instead of re-testing the entire application (which could take hours or even days), a sanity test would verify if the transaction history displays correctly and that core functionality—such as account balance updates—remains unaffected.

Key Objectives of Sanity Testing

Sanity tests act as a gatekeeper for quality assurance, ensuring that recent changes are stable, do not break core functionality, and are ready for further testing or deployment, all while keeping the testing cycle efficient and targeted. The key objectives of sanity testing are focused, rapid validation of recent changes to ensure they do not introduce new issues in critical functionality. Here’s a breakdown of the main objectives:

1. Validate Core Functionality of Recent Changes

• • The primary goal of sanity testing is to confirm that specific, newly modified functionalities (such as bug fixes or small updates) are working as expected.
  • This validation occurs without the need for extensive testing, keeping the focus on recently modified components rather than the entire application.

2. Quickly Assess Build Stability

• • This type of testing is designed to provide a fast, targeted assessment of the build’s readiness for further testing.
  • If a sanity test passes, it confirms that the recent changes didn’t break key aspects of the system, allowing the build to proceed confidently to more comprehensive testing phases like regression or integration testing.

3. Prevent Costly Regression in Critical Areas

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• • By catching potential issues early in areas affected by recent changes, this type of testing prevents cascading problems from reaching production.
  • This objective is especially important for maintaining stability in high-impact areas, ensuring that core functionality remains intact after each update.

4. Save Time and Resources by Avoiding Full Regression Testing

• • Instead of going through an exhaustive test suite, sanity testing narrows down testing efforts to the most relevant areas, which saves time and avoids draining QA resources.
  • This is crucial in fast-paced development environments or in projects with frequent builds, allowing for continuous, targeted validation without the burden of lengthy test cycles.

5. Facilitate Faster Feedback to Development Teams

• • Since sanity tests are quick to execute and assess, they provide timely feedback to developers.
  • Fast feedback loops allow for rapid iteration and quick resolution of any issues, keeping the project moving forward efficiently and reducing the likelihood of extended delays.

Sanity Testing vs. Smoke Testing vs. Regression Testing

Often, sanity testing is confused with smoke testing and regression testing. While they share common elements, each has distinct purposes and is used at different stages of the testing lifecycle. Let’s quickly understand the differences between Sanity vs. Smoke vs. Regression Testing.

Sanity Testing

• • Purpose: To verify that specific functionalities related to a bug fix or minor change are working as expected.
  • Scope: Narrow, focused on recently modified components.
  • When Performed: After receiving a stable build with targeted changes.

Smoke Testing

• • Purpose: To confirm that the application is stable enough for further testing.
  • Scope: Broad, covering major functionalities.
  • When Performed: On a fresh build to check for any “showstoppers” that could halt further testing.

Regression Testing

• • Purpose: To ensure recent changes haven’t impacted other parts of the application.
  • Scope: Comprehensive, covering multiple aspects of the application.
  • When Performed: Typically after a major release or substantial changes in code.

In outsourced software testing projects, knowing when to apply sanity testing versus regression or smoke testing is critical. A well-timed sanity test can prevent hours of redundant testing, while regression testing should only be reserved for comprehensive assessments.

Why Sanity Testing is Crucial in Outsourced Development Projects

For outsourced projects, time is of the essence, and costs can escalate quickly if rework becomes frequent. Sanity testing’s focused approach makes it an invaluable tool, allowing us to validate key areas without draining QA resources or impacting deadlines.

Key Benefits in Outsourced Software Testing Projects

1. 1. Minimized Costs: By focusing only on the recent changes, sanity testing avoids extensive retesting, which can drive up costs in outsourced environments.
   2. Improved Communication: Often, remote teams are involved. Sanity tests allow developers to deliver targeted feedback quickly, minimizing the need for prolonged discussions.
   3. Faster Release Cycles: For projects requiring quick turnarounds, sanity testing helps keep the build cycle agile by rapidly verifying critical fixes without delving into full regression.

Example: Communication Platform Integration

Consider a scenario where an outsourcing partner is developing an instant messaging app. Mid-project, the team receives a new build with updates for message timestamp formatting. Instead of re-evaluating the entire messaging function, a sanity test could simply check if timestamp formats render correctly across devices and that core messaging capabilities remain intact. This minimizes the need for extended regression testing, saving both time and cost.

Important Steps to Perform Effective Sanity Testing

Performing sanity testing requires a structured approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide for sanity testing in a real-world development environment.

Step 1: Define the Scope of Testing

To start, review the build notes and release documents to identify which components or features were modified. Based on this information, define the exact scope of sanity testing.

Questions to Ask:

• • What components are impacted by the recent fix or feature change?
  • Are there any dependencies that might be indirectly affected?

For example, if an update changes how user data is displayed on profile pages, sanity testing should include only the profile display functionality without examining unrelated areas like payment processing or account settings.

Step 2: Prioritize Critical Functionality

After defining the scope, prioritize critical features within this scope that absolutely must work without issues. This is particularly essential in fast-moving projects where every iteration could introduce new complexities.

Key Actions:

• • Identify high-usage scenarios within the impacted areas.
  • List any functions with critical dependencies on the modified components.

For instance, in an e-commerce app, if a new feature affects the checkout page, your sanity test should focus on ensuring the checkout and payment processes work seamlessly without addressing other sections like product browsing or wishlist functions.

Step 3: Prepare the Test Environment

Set up a stable test environment that replicates the production environment as closely as possible. This reduces the risk of discrepancies between testing and production, especially important in outsourced or multi-team setups.

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Tips:

• • Consistency: Ensure the same version of code, database configurations, and system settings are used.
  • Isolation: Run sanity tests in a sandbox to prevent other testing activities from interfering.

Step 4: Develop Targeted Test Cases

Develop test cases that focus on validating the specific changes. These should be lightweight and focused, ensuring they cover essential functionality without requiring exhaustive testing.

Test Case Example

Suppose your build fixes a bug in an app’s login feature. Your sanity test cases might look like this:

1. 1. Verify login using correct credentials.
   2. Verify error messages for invalid credentials.
   3. Verify successful logout.

Each test case should focus solely on the functionality that could be impacted by recent changes.

Step 5: Execute Tests and Document Findings

Run the test cases, observe the results, and document any deviations. If the sanity test passes without issues, the build can move forward to more extensive testing. However, if it fails, promptly notify the developers with detailed documentation of the issue.

Documentation Tips:

• • Screenshot the Issues: Provide visual references where possible.
  • Detail Steps to Reproduce: List steps clearly, so developers can address issues faster.

Step 6: Communicate Results to Stakeholders

The final step in sanity testing is clear communication. In outsourced projects, this often means sharing test outcomes with both in-house stakeholders and external teams.

Recommended Communication Points:

• • Test results summary
  • A list of passed and failed tests
  • Immediate next steps (e.g., whether the build is ready for broader testing)

By communicating clearly and concisely, you enable faster iteration, aligning everyone involved and ensuring the project remains on track.

Best Practices for Successful Sanity Testing

Following best practices can amplify the impact of sanity testing in a project. Here are several I’ve honed over the years:

1. Automate Where Possible

Manual testing can be slow and error-prone. Automating sanity tests allows for rapid execution without human intervention. In a high-frequency deployment environment, automating sanity testing for frequently updated areas can save substantial time and ensure consistency.

Example

For a social media app developed by an outsourced team, automated sanity tests could check login functionality, post-creation, and newsfeed loading whenever updates are pushed. This provides assurance that core functions are intact, even with multiple daily deployments.

2. Focus on High-Impact Areas

Your sanity tests should cover the highest-risk areas first, particularly those linked to core functionality. Changes that impact critical user flows should always be prioritized.

3. Maintain Strong Documentation

Detailed documentation is crucial, especially in outsourced scenarios where multiple teams may collaborate on a project. Clear, thorough documentation of each test case and its outcomes ensures everyone is aligned and reduces the risk of miscommunication.

4. Keep Tests Lightweight

Sanity testing should be concise and focused. Avoid adding test cases that drift into regression testing territory, as this undermines the purpose of sanity testing.

5. Regularly Update Test Cases

Sanity test cases should evolve with the product. As new features are introduced or existing ones change, periodically update test cases to reflect these modifications. Stale test cases lead to redundant checks and missed bugs.

Popular Tools and Automation Frameworks for Sanity Testing

Several tools can streamline and automate sanity testing, making the process faster and more consistent across teams. Here are some widely adopted options:

1. Selenium

For web applications, Selenium WebDriver allows testers to automate sanity tests across browsers, making it ideal for frontend changes. With extensive support for integration into CI/CD pipelines, it’s a robust choice for testing consistency across environments.

2. JUnit or TestNG

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Java-based applications often use JUnit or TestNG for sanity test automation. Both allow for structuring and running test cases efficiently, particularly beneficial for backend sanity checks in Java applications.

3. Appium

Appium is widely used for mobile app sanity testing. It supports both iOS and Android, enabling teams to validate changes in mobile builds rapidly.

4. Postman for API Testing

When backend services are updated, Postman enables quick sanity testing of API endpoints, ensuring integrations remain stable.

Most Common Challenges in Sanity Testing and How to Overcome Them

While sanity testing offers clear benefits, it isn’t without challenges. Here’s how to tackle some common issues that can arise:

Challenge 1: Identifying the Right Scope

Solution: Rely on thorough release notes, and work closely with developers to clarify any ambiguous areas. Define a precise scope before testing begins.

Challenge 2: Keeping Tests Lightweight

Solution: Resist the urge to over-test. Focus only on the recent changes and areas directly impacted.

Challenge 3: Maintaining Consistent Environments

Solution: Use containerization or virtualized environments to replicate production conditions accurately for sanity testing.

Conclusion

Sanity testing isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. In any outsourced development scenario, where communication and timelines are critical, sanity testing serves as a safeguard, ensuring new builds don’t derail the entire project. When executed effectively, sanity testing can be the difference between a smooth deployment and a disastrous release cycle.

By implementing these steps, leveraging automation, and staying disciplined with test scope, we can ensure that sanity testing not only saves time but also delivers substantial value to our software development lifecycle. Make sanity testing an integral part of your quality strategy, and you’ll notice a marked improvement in both your team’s productivity and your product’s stability.

CredibleSoft, with its team of Sanity testing experts, is here to help you ensure that your application behaves as expected, with a focus on the most critical features and user interactions. By hiring our qualified test engineers, you’ll experience a substantial improvement in your sanity testing goals.

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