Creating a well-structured test cycle is crucial for getting high-quality results from crowdsourced testers. Follow these steps to set up your test cycle for success:
Define Your Test Objective
Start by clearly defining what you want to achieve. For example: “Verify the functionality and user experience of the new checkout process on our e-commerce site.”
Choose Your Test Type
Select the appropriate test type. Options include:
- Exploratory Testing
- Structured Testing
- Usability Testing
- Localization Testing
Set Up Your Test Environment
Provide necessary access details:
- URL of the test environment
- Login credentials (if required)
- Any specific setup instructions (e.g., “Use test credit card number: 4111 1111 1111 1111”)
Write Clear Test Instructions
Be specific about what you want testers to do. Good instructions include:
- Context: “We’ve just updated our checkout process to include a one-click buy option.”
- Specific Tasks: “Complete a purchase using both the standard checkout and the one-click option.”
- Areas of Focus: “Pay special attention to the order summary page and email confirmations.”
Example:
1. Browse the site and add at least 3 items to your cart.
2. Proceed to checkout using the standard process. Note any issues or confusing steps.
3. Complete the purchase and verify the confirmation email.
4. Create a new cart with at least 2 items.
5. Use the one-click buy option to complete the purchase.
6. Compare the experience with the standard checkout.Specify Test Date
Provide any necessary test data:
- Test user accounts
- Sample product SKUs
- Promo codes to try
Highlight Known Issues
If there are known issues you don’t need reported, list them: “The ‘Save for Later’ feature is still under development and should not be tested.”
Set Acceptance Criteria
Clearly state what constitutes a passed test: “A successful test includes completed purchases through both checkout methods, with order confirmations received.”
Request Specific Feedback
Ask for particular insights: “Please provide feedback on the intuitiveness of the one-click buy process compared to the standard checkout.”
Specify Devices and Browsers
If you need testing on particular configurations: “Please test on the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari on desktop, and native browsers on iOS and Android mobile devices.”
Set Time Frame and Budget
Decide on the duration of your test cycle and the number of testers you want to engage.
Tips for Enhancing Results:
- Be specific but not overly prescriptive. Allow room for testers to explore and provide unexpected insights.
- Use clear, concise language. Avoid jargon unless necessary.
- Encourage detailed reporting. Ask testers to provide screenshots and detailed steps for any issues found.
- If possible, provide a contact for real-time questions during the test cycle.
By following these guidelines, you’ll create test cycles that yield valuable, actionable results from our crowd of testers. Remember, the quality of your instructions directly impacts the quality of the testing outcomes. If you need any assistance in setting up your test cycle, our test.io support team is always here to help.
