Manual Testing

Levels of Testing

Levels of Testing

[NOTE: Below types are described in-detail further.

The method for locating missing regions and preventing overlaps and repetition between development life cycle phases is known as testing levels. 

Different Levels of Testing

  1. Unit-testing
  2. Integration-testing
  3. System-testing
  4. Acceptance Testing


Unit-testing (Level 1)

Unit-testing is the first level of software-testing, and it is used to determine whether software modules meet the specified requirements.

The first stage of testing is examining each unit or component of the software application separately.

The initial level of functional testing is unit-testing. The fundamental goal of unit-testing is to ensure that unit components work as expected.

Integration-testing (Level 2)

Integration-testing is the second stage of software-testing. After unit-testing, integration-testing takes place.

Its primary purpose is to test data flow from one module or component to another.

The test engineer performs integration-testing on a set of units, distinct components, or modules of software.

System-testing (Level 2)

System-testing is the third level of software-testing and is used to test the software's functional and nonfunctional requirements.

It's called end-to-end testing since the testing and production environments are identical. We will test the application as a whole system at the third level of software-testing.

System-testing is the process of checking the end-to-end flow of an application or software as a user.

Acceptance Testing (Level 2)

Acceptance testing is the final stage of software-testing, and it is used to determine whether a specification or set of requirements has been met as promised.

The software has passed three levels of testing (Unit-testing, Integration-testing, System-testing). When the end-user uses the system in a real-world environment, certain minor faults can still be found.

The customer performs acceptance testing, also known as User acceptability testing (UAT), before adopting the final product.

In this section, we are going to discuss the following topics 

  • What is the Test Maturity Model?
  • The five levels of the test maturity model
  • Difference between TMM and CMM
  • Benefits of the test maturity model

What is the Test Maturity Model?

When software is tested, a variety of procedures are employed in order to achieve optimum quality while minimising flaws or errors.

The Test Maturity Model (TMM) is one of these models, which is based on the Capability Maturity Model and has a set of organised stages (CMM).

We developed techniques and a reference framework for improving the testing process using the Test maturity model.

The TMM has been replaced by the Test Maturity Model Integration (TMMI), a five-level model that provides a framework for evaluating the maturity of testing procedures.

We must efficiently complete the testing phase of the SDLC because it is critical to the successful completion of any project.

TMMi, is one such approach that has improved the efficiency of the software-testing life cycle. It's one of these models, with a detailed model for improving test processes.

The major goal of a test maturity model is to determine maturity and set goals for improving the software-testing process in order to complete development. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other process improvement models.

Why do we need TMMi?

Many IT firms are gradually using the TMMi to modernise and simplify their testing processes.

The following are a few key points that will help us comprehend the need for TMMi.

  • The TMMi aids in the evaluation and improvement of the testing process.
  • The application of this approach enhances the test process, software quality, and test engineering efficiency.
  • Several software process developments, such as CMM/CMMI, give testing only cursory attention. As a result, we require something like TMMI for a procedure that is primarily designed for testing.
  • Despite numerous efforts to expand the testing procedure, zero flaws have been detected in reality for software engineering. As a result, TMMi is a new attempt to attain zero faults.
  • It's a test process improvement model that can work in conjunction with other process development models or stand alone.

Levels of TMMi

  1. Initialization
  2. Definition
  3. Integration
  4. Measurement and Management
  5. Optimization


Level 1: Initialization

  • The first level of the Test maturity model is initialization. In the initial level of TMM, there is no established testing process.
  • The goal of initialization levels is to ensure that the software runs smoothly and without stumbling blocks.
  • Exploratory or Adhoc testing will be performed on the programme at this level, and there will be no quality checks until the product is delivered.

Level 2: Definition

  • The Definition level of a Test maturity model is all about specifying the requirements.
  • We can develop test strategies, test plans, and test cases in order to build software that meets the client's requirements. 
  • The definition level's critical purpose is to ensure that the software product meets the requirements, develop testing, debugging goals, and policies that are consistently followed.

Level 3: Integration

  • A test maturity model's third level is
  • The primary goal of including this level into the test maturity model is to guarantee that testing is integrated into and becomes a part of the software lifecycle.
  • For illustration, the V model includes both development and testing phases, implying that testing occurs after the development process is completed.
  • Because testing is carried out independently, the entire testing objective is focused on risk management.

Level 4: Measurement and Management

  • The fourth stage of the Test maturity model is measurement and management, in which testing is integrated into all aspects of the software development life cycle.
  • This is where we will manage and measure the needs.
  • The primary goal of including this level into the test maturity model is to ensure that a test measurement programme is established.
  • To determine the quality metrics at this level, review, requirements gathering, and software design are all included.

Level 5: Optimization

  • Optimization is the final level of Test Maturity.
  • The main goal of this level is to improve the testing process itself.
  • To put it another way, the testing processes have been verified, and steps have been taken to improve the process.
  • During the software life cycle, quality control and bug prevention are carried out.
  • At the optimization level, we primarily focus on defect avoidance rather than defect detection, and we can accomplish this testing using several tools.