Imagine being an intern or a student learning about software product testing. Such an individual has probably heard about end-to-end (E2E) testing. He or she may know that it has something to do with figuring out whether the features of a minimum viable product are working smoothly. Yet, what are the fundamentals of end-to-end testing in more detail?
We answer this question, and many others, within this article. Use this resource to find out how to use end-to-end software testing for a minimum viable product.
Table of Contents
What Is End-to-End Testing?
The simplest definition of end-to-end testing is using software to test whether a software product is running the way it is supposed to. When all of the pieces of a software program are put together, there is a high likelihood that one or more steps will fail.
As such, it is essential to perform end-to-end testing to ensure a product is working properly. End-to-end testing assesses how well an entire application is working in regard to how a user would implement it in the real world.
But what is end-to-end testing (E2E) in terms of the aspects that are analyzed?
An E2E test will start the program in a browser and test every aspect of the program, ranging from the user interface and the browser to the hardware and third-party applications or integrations. Testing an entire application with an E2E test will help the programmer remove any computer bugs from harming the software product.
A manual E2E test can be performed where a human checks the system for any hiccups by clicking and viewing different features of the program. In addition, automated testing can also be conducted where a machine tests for failures via previously arranged validations.
Minimum Viable Product Definition
A minimum viable product is the most basic version of a product in which the user is able to access enough features to utilize the system and provide feedback to the designers of the software application. It includes core functions without extra bells and whistles.
Developers often have multiple prototypes for their software products, which is why a minimum viable product is necessary before the designers and developers create a more complex system. Feedback from customers on the most basic version of the product can help developers find out what consumers really need and are looking for.
This allows them to build the perfect product for their customer base.
A minimum viable product can be built using the build-measure-learn loop. Essentially, the design team can make a list of things that they already know about their customers and then find out more details about their consumer base via a paper or online survey.
Once all of the survey answers are viewed, the developers can then determine if their assumptions were true or not. They may discover new findings regarding their customers as well.
Learning these aspects of customers can help developers first build a minimum viable product and then expand on that software system over time.
Minimum Viable Product Examples
When it comes to examples of minimum viable products, it is surprising to learn that Amazon was originally considered a minimum viable product. Amazon was first an online bookstore in which the founder Jeff Bezos purchased books via distributors and sent them out to buyers whenever someone placed an order.
As books sales grew at Amazon, the company expanded by carrying more items in the online store. More warehouses were added as well. Lastly, the website itself was improved to reflect a better and more customized user experience.
Foursquare is also a good example of a minimum viable product, as it began with only one feature. Users would be able to earn badges by checking in at various places. As more users implemented this service and excitement was stirring regarding Foursquare, this minimum viable product was expanded and is now a complete city guide.
Some other examples of minimum viable products include:
- Dropbox
- Groupon
- Zappos
- Airbnb
- Buffer
- AngelList
These are just some examples of minimum viable products. Any company could start with a basic application and eventually grow into a large brand.
Conclusion
Lastly, it is important to mention that end-to-end testing is essential when bringing a minimum viable product to market. Even the most basic application could have failures or mishaps at different sections of the system.
As such, an E2E test could alleviate the developers’ concerns and ensure the customers are satisfied with the minimum viable product. One never knows when the most basic product could become an application as impressive as the Amazon online store.
Jeff Bezos may not have known where his business would take him, but if he never began the bare minimum online bookstore, there would not be an international network of delivery drivers, warehouses, and product purchasers today.
Remember that, before a minimum viable product is sold to consumers, performing end-to-end testing is essential. One day, that minimal product could become an impressive consumer experience.
