RynMelberg states on her weekly podcast that the testing methods for quality assurance when using the Agile project management methodology do not differ greatly than those of other tests. The differences are on how these tests occur.

"In the Agile methodology there are mostly the same types of tests as are used in other quality assurance programs," Melberg told her audience. "What gets tested is the same. It is the “how” that is different." Quality is part of what Agile devotees expect from their work. That high standard comes from a disciplined approach to testing. It is the tester who is in the best position to link the user story with what the customer needs. As testing is an essential part of the Agile way of doing things, all members of a project team are involved in testing.

People who use software enabled devices and software may not realize how many tests there are. Agile tests well over 90% and higher especially in some instances. "This is especially the case in regulated industries or anything that has direct customer feedback," she said. "So projects that have anything that has to do with money, anything that has to do with healthcare, anything that is security data or personal information based get a lot of attention at test time."

Iterative Testing

One type of testing with Agile is iterative. "No one tests steps A-E all at once," Mellberg said. "Instead, we start with user story A. We manually test A. This leads to B and we test A to B. After this test is complete, A to B is automated. Then we test C.
With both A and B automated this gets us automation from A-C. Then we manually test D and so on. Each user story builds on the last test until all tests are automated." While manual testing often yields more detailed results, all the testers spend energy on examining documentation before a test is completed.

Automation of tests, as described by Melberg, accelerates outcomes and test results. Automation also ensures validity and repeatability with all tests from the first user story to the end.

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