Regression Testing in Agile: A Complete Guide for Enterprises

To scale-up the employee and customer satisfaction levels, enterprises frequently roll features to their software and applications. For instance, ING — the Dutch multinational financial services company releases features to its web and mobile sites every three weeks and has reported impressive improvement in its customer satisfaction scores.

New releases and enhancements are integral to agile businesses. But with these, comes the requirement to ensure a seamless experience for the user while using the application.

Whenever there is a change in code across multiple releases or multiple builds for the enhancement or bug fix and due to these changes there might be an Impact Area. Testing these Impact Areas is known as Regression Testing.

Regression Testing Cases

Regression testing is a combination of all the functional, integration and system test cases. Here, testers pick the test cases from the Test Case Repository. Organizations use regression testing in the following ways-

Executing the old test cases for the next release for any new feature addition.
Only after passing new test cases, the system executes the old test cases of the previous release.

Mainly, regression testing requires 3 things-

Addition of new test cases in the test case repository.
Deletion or retiring of the old test cases which have no relation to any module of an application.
Modification of the old test cases with respect to enhancement or changes in the existing features.

Types of Regression Testing

There are 3 main types of regression testing in agile:

1. Unit Regression Testing

This testing method tests the code as a single unit.

It tests the changed unit only.
If there’s a minor code change, testing is done on that particular module and all the components which have dependencies between them.
Here, testers need not find the impact area.
It is possible to modify or re-write existing test cases.

2. Regional Regression Testing

It involves testing the Impacted Areas of the software due to new feature releases or major enhancement to the existing features.

It involves testing the changing unit and the Impact Area.
Regional regression testing requires rewriting the entire test cases as it corresponds to a major change.
It requires deleting the old test case and adding a new test case to the repository.
It may affect other dependent features. Therefore, it requires identifying the Impact Areas and picking up old test cases from the test case repository and test the dependent modules referring to the old test cases.

3. Full Regression Testing

It is a comprehensive testing method that involves testing the changed unit as well as independent old features of the application.

Here, the changed unit, as well as the complete application (independent or dependent), is tested.
Full regression testing is mostly applicable for LIFE CRITICAL or MACHINE CRITICAL Applications.

Regression testing is also done at the product/application development stage.

4. Release Level Regression Testing

Regression testing at release level corresponds to testing during the second release of an application.

It always starts from the second release of an application.
Usually, when organizations seek to add new features or enhancing existing features of an application a new release needs to go live, for which, this type of regression testing is done.
Release level regression testing refers to testing on the Impact Area and involves finding out the regression test case accordingly.

5. Build Level Regression Testing

Regression testing at build level corresponds to testing during the second build of the upcoming release.

It takes place whenever there’s some code changes or bug fixes across the builds.
QA first retest the bug fixes and then the impact area.
This cycle of build continues until a final stable build.
The final stable build is given to the customer or when the product is live.
QA is usually aware of the product and utilizes their Product knowledge to identify the impact areas.

The Process of Regression Testing in Agile

After getting the requirements and understanding it completely, testers perform Impact Analysis to find the Impact Areas.
One should perform regression testing when the new features are stable.
To avoid major risks it is better to perform Impact Analysis in the beginning.
3 stakeholders can carry out Impact Analysis:
- Customers based on Customer Knowledge.
- Developer based on Coding Knowledge.
- And, most importantly by the QA based on the Product Knowledge.

All three stakeholders make their reports and the process continues till achieving the maximum impact area.
Then the Team Lead consolidates all the reports and picks test cases from the test case repository to prepare Regression Testing Suite for QA Engineers. Post this, the final execution process starts.

The main challenges of Regression Testing is to Identify the Impact Area.

Challenges of Manual Regression Testing

Time-Consuming as the test cases increase release by release.
The need for more manual QA Engineers.
Repetitive and monotonous tasks; therefore accuracy is always a question.

This is where Test Automation comes into place.

Advantages of Test Automation

Time-saving: Test Automation executes test cases in batches making it faster. I.e. it is possible to execute multiple test cases simultaneously.
Reusability: It allows reusing the test script in the next release when the impact areas are the same.
Cost-effective: There’s no need for additional resources for executing similar test cases again and again.
Accurate: Machine-based procedures are not prone to slip errors.

It may look like Test Automation might replace manual QA Engineers, but that’s not the case. Regression testing in agile still requires QA in the following instances.

Limitations of Test Automation

It is not possible to automate testing for new features. Test Automation Engineers still need to write test scripts.
Similarly, it’s not possible to automate testing in case of a feature update.
There is no technology support such as Captcha.
It requires human involvement; such as OTP.
At times, certain test cases require more time in test automation. During such instances, one can go for manual testing. For example, 5 Test Cases require 1 hour to execute it manually whereas Test Automation takes a complete 5 hours executing it.

In agile, enterprises need testing with each sprint. On the other hand, testers need to ensure that new changes do not affect existing functionalities of the product/application. Therefore, agile combines both regression testing and test automation to accelerate the product’s time-to-market.

If you’re looking for Testing Services for your Enterprises, please feel free to drop us a word at hello@mantralabsglobal.com. You can also check out our Testing Services.

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.
John Ruskin

About the author: Ankur Vishwakarma is a Software Engineer — QA at Mantra Labs Pvt Ltd. He is integral to the organization’s testing services. Apart from writing test scripts, you can find Ankur hauling on his Enfield!

Regression Testing FAQs

Why do you do regression testing?

Regression testing is done to ensure that any new feature or enhancement in the existing application runs smoothly and any change in code does not impact the functionality of the product.

Is regression testing part of UAT?

UAT corresponds to User Acceptance Testing. It is the last phase of the software testing process. Regression Testing is not a part of UAT as it is done on product/application features and updates.

What is Agile methodology in testing?

Agile implies an iterative development methodology. Agile testing corresponds to a continuous process rather than sequential. In this method, features are tested as they’re developed.

What is the difference between functional and regression testing?

Functional testing ensures that all the functionalities of an application are working fine. It is done before the product release. Regression testing ensures that new features or enhancements are working correctly after the build is released.

Related:

AI code assistants are revolutionizing software development, with Gartner predicting that 75% of enterprise software engineers will use these tools by 2028, up from less than 10% in early 2023. This rapid adoption reflects the potential of AI to enhance coding efficiency and productivity, but also raises important questions about the maturity, benefits, and challenges of these emerging technologies.

Code Assistance Evolution

The evolution of code assistance has been rapid and transformative, progressing from simple autocomplete features to sophisticated AI-powered tools. GitHub Copilot, launched in 2021, marked a significant milestone by leveraging OpenAI’s Codex to generate entire code snippets 1. Amazon Q, introduced in 2023, further advanced the field with its deep integration into AWS services and impressive code acceptance rates of up to 50%. GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models have been instrumental in this evolution, with GPT-3 and its successors enabling more context-aware and nuanced code suggestions.

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Adoption rates: By 2023, over 40% of developers reported using AI code assistants.
Productivity gains: Tools like Amazon Q have demonstrated up to 80% acceleration in coding tasks.
Language support: Modern AI assistants support dozens of programming languages, with GitHub Copilot covering over 20 languages and frameworks.
Error reduction: AI-powered code assistants have shown potential to reduce bugs by up to 30% in some studies.

These advancements have not only increased coding efficiency but also democratized software development, making it more accessible to novice programmers and non-professionals alike.

Current Adoption and Maturity: Metrics Defining the Landscape

The landscape of AI code assistants is rapidly evolving, with adoption rates and performance metrics showcasing their growing maturity. Here’s a tabular comparison of some popular AI coding tools, including Amazon Q:

Amazon Q stands out with its specialized capabilities for software developers and deep integration with AWS services. It offers a range of features designed to streamline development processes:

Highest reported code acceptance rates: Up to 50% for multi-line code suggestions
Built-in security: Secure and private by design, with robust data security measures
Extensive connectivity: Over 50 built-in, managed, and secure data connectors
Task automation: Amazon Q Apps allow users to create generative AI-powered apps for streamlining tasks

The tool’s impact is evident in its adoption and performance metrics. For instance, Amazon Q has helped save over 450,000 hours from manual technical investigations. Its integration with CloudWatch provides valuable insights into developer usage patterns and areas for improvement.

As these AI assistants continue to mature, they are increasingly becoming integral to modern software development workflows. However, it’s important to note that while these tools offer significant benefits, they should be used judiciously, with developers maintaining a critical eye on the generated code and understanding its implications for overall project architecture and security.

AI-Powered Collaborative Coding: Enhancing Team Productivity

AI code assistants are revolutionizing collaborative coding practices, offering real-time suggestions, conflict resolution, and personalized assistance to development teams. These tools integrate seamlessly with popular IDEs and version control systems, facilitating smoother teamwork and code quality improvements.

Key features of AI-enhanced collaborative coding:

Real-time code suggestions and auto-completion across team members
Automated conflict detection and resolution in merge requests
Personalized coding assistance based on individual developer styles
AI-driven code reviews and quality checks

Benefits for development teams:

Increased productivity: Teams report up to 30-50% faster code completion
Improved code consistency: AI ensures adherence to team coding standards
Reduced onboarding time: New team members can quickly adapt to project codebases
Enhanced knowledge sharing: AI suggestions expose developers to diverse coding patterns

While AI code assistants offer significant advantages, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between AI assistance and human expertise. Teams should establish guidelines for AI tool usage to ensure code quality, security, and maintainability.

Emerging trends in AI-powered collaborative coding:

Integration of natural language processing for code explanations and documentation
Advanced code refactoring suggestions based on team-wide code patterns
AI-assisted pair programming and mob programming sessions
Predictive analytics for project timelines and resource allocation

As AI continues to evolve, collaborative coding tools are expected to become more sophisticated, further streamlining team workflows and fostering innovation in software development practices.

Benefits and Risks Analyzed

AI code assistants offer significant benefits but also present notable challenges. Here’s an overview of the advantages driving adoption and the critical downsides:

Core Advantages Driving Adoption:

Enhanced Productivity: AI coding tools can boost developer productivity by 30-50%1. Google AI researchers estimate that these tools could save developers up to 30% of their coding time.

Industry	Potential Annual Value
Banking	$200 billion – $340 billion
Retail and CPG	$400 billion – $660 billion

Economic Impact: Generative AI, including code assistants, could potentially add $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy across various use cases. In the software engineering sector alone, this technology could deliver substantial value.

Democratization of Software Development: AI assistants enable individuals with less coding experience to build complex applications, potentially broadening the talent pool and fostering innovation.
Instant Coding Support: AI provides real-time suggestions and generates code snippets, aiding developers in their coding journey.

Critical Downsides and Risks:

Cognitive and Skill-Related Concerns:
- Over-reliance on AI tools may lead to skill atrophy, especially for junior developers.
- There’s a risk of developers losing the ability to write or deeply understand code independently.
Technical and Ethical Limitations:
- Quality of Results: AI-generated code may contain hidden issues, leading to bugs or security vulnerabilities.
- Security Risks: AI tools might introduce insecure libraries or out-of-date dependencies.
- Ethical Concerns: AI algorithms lack accountability for errors and may reinforce harmful stereotypes or promote misinformation.
Copyright and Licensing Issues:
- AI tools heavily rely on open-source code, which may lead to unintentional use of copyrighted material or introduction of insecure libraries.
Limited Contextual Understanding:
- AI-generated code may not always integrate seamlessly with the broader project context, potentially leading to fragmented code.
Bias in Training Data:
- AI outputs can reflect biases present in their training data, potentially leading to non-inclusive code practices.

While AI code assistants offer significant productivity gains and economic benefits, they also present challenges that need careful consideration. Developers and organizations must balance the advantages with the potential risks, ensuring responsible use of these powerful tools.

Future of Code Automation

The future of AI code assistants is poised for significant growth and evolution, with technological advancements and changing developer attitudes shaping their trajectory towards potential ubiquity or obsolescence.

Technological Advancements on the Horizon:

Enhanced Contextual Understanding: Future AI assistants are expected to gain deeper comprehension of project structures, coding patterns, and business logic. This will enable more accurate and context-aware code suggestions, reducing the need for extensive human review.
Multi-Modal AI: Integration of natural language processing, computer vision, and code analysis will allow AI assistants to understand and generate code based on diverse inputs, including voice commands, sketches, and high-level descriptions.
Autonomous Code Generation: By 2027, we may see AI agents capable of handling entire segments of a project with minimal oversight, potentially scaffolding entire applications from natural language descriptions.
Self-Improving AI: Machine learning models that continuously learn from developer interactions and feedback will lead to increasingly accurate and personalized code suggestions over time.

Adoption Barriers and Enablers:

Barriers:

Data Privacy Concerns: Organizations remain cautious about sharing proprietary code with cloud-based AI services.
Integration Challenges: Seamless integration with existing development workflows and tools is crucial for widespread adoption.
Skill Erosion Fears: Concerns about over-reliance on AI leading to a decline in fundamental coding skills among developers.

Enablers:

Open-Source Models: The development of powerful open-source AI models may address privacy concerns and increase accessibility.
IDE Integration: Deeper integration with popular integrated development environments will streamline adoption.
Demonstrable ROI: Clear evidence of productivity gains and cost savings will drive enterprise adoption.

Future Trends in Code Automation:

AI-Driven Architecture Design: AI assistants may evolve to suggest optimal system architectures based on project requirements and best practices.
Automated Code Refactoring: AI tools will increasingly offer intelligent refactoring suggestions to improve code quality and maintainability.
Predictive Bug Detection: Advanced AI models will predict potential bugs and security vulnerabilities before they manifest in production environments.
Cross-Language Translation: AI assistants will facilitate seamless translation between programming languages, enabling easier migration and interoperability.
AI-Human Pair Programming: More sophisticated AI agents may act as virtual pair programming partners, offering real-time guidance and code reviews.
Ethical AI Coding: Future AI assistants will incorporate ethical considerations, suggesting inclusive and bias-free code practices.

As these trends unfold, the role of human developers is likely to shift towards higher-level problem-solving, creative design, and AI oversight. By 2025, it’s projected that over 70% of professional software developers will regularly collaborate with AI agents in their coding workflows1. However, the path to ubiquity will depend on addressing key challenges such as reliability, security, and maintaining a balance between AI assistance and human expertise.

The future outlook for AI code assistants is one of transformative potential, with the technology poised to become an integral part of the software development landscape. As these tools continue to evolve, they will likely reshape team structures, development methodologies, and the very nature of coding itself.

Conclusion: A Tool, Not a Panacea

AI code assistants have irrevocably altered software development, delivering measurable productivity gains but introducing new technical and societal challenges. Current metrics suggest they are transitioning from novel aids to essential utilities—63% of enterprises now mandate their use. However, their ascendancy as the de facto standard hinges on addressing security flaws, mitigating cognitive erosion, and fostering equitable upskilling. For organizations, the optimal path lies in balanced integration: harnessing AI’s speed while preserving human ingenuity. As generative models evolve, developers who master this symbiosis will define the next epoch of software engineering.

Regression Testing in Agile: A Complete Guide for Enterprises

Regression Testing Cases