Beta version of the software is released to a limited number of end-users of the product to obtain feedback on the product quality. Beta testing reduces product failure risks and provides increased quality of the product through customer validation.
Difference between Alpha and Beta Testing
Following are the differences between Alpha and Beta Testing:
Types of Beta Testing
There are different types of Beta tests in software testing, and they are as follows: Traditional Beta Testing: Product is distributed to the target market, and related data is gathered in all aspects. This data can be used for Product improvement. Public Beta Testing: Product is publicly released to the outside world via online channels and data can be gathered from anyone. Based on feedback, product improvements can be done. For example, Microsoft conducted the largest of all Beta Tests for its OS — Windows 8 before officially releasing it. Technical Beta Testing: Product is released to the internal group of an organization and gathers feedback/data from the employees of the organization. Focused Beta: Product is released to the market for gathering feedback on specific features of the program. For example, important functionality of the software. Post-release Beta: Product is released to the market and data is gathered to make improvements for the future release of the product.
Phases of Testing
Alpha and Beta tests are typically carried for “off-the-shelf” software or product-oriented companies. The Phases of Testing for a product company typically varies from a service-oriented organization. Following is the testing phase adopted by product firms
Pre-Alpha:- Software is a prototype. UI is complete. But not all features are completed. At this stage, software is not published. Alpha: Software is near its development and is internally tested for bugs/issues Beta: Software is stable and is released to a limited user base. The goal is to get customer feedback on the product and make changes in software accordingly Release Candidate (RC): Based on the feedback of Beta Test, you make changes to the software and want to test out the bug fixes. At this stage, you do not want to make radical changes in functionality but just check for bugs. RC is also put out to the public Release: All works, software is released to the public. Note: Above is a standard definition of the Testing stages but in order to garner marketing buzz, companies combine stages like “pre-alpha beta”, “pre-beta” etc.
Entry Criteria for Alpha Testing:
Software requirements document or Business requirements specification Test Cases for all the requirements Testing Team with good knowledge about the software application Test Lab environment setup QA Build ready for execution Test Management tool for uploading test cases and logging defects Traceability Matrix to ensure that each design requirement has alteast one Test Case that verifies it
Exit Criteria for Alpha testing
All the test cases have been executed and passed. All severity issues need to be fixed and closed Delivery of Test summary report Make sure that no more additional features can be included Sign off on Alpha testing
Entrance Criteria for Beta Testing:
Sign off a document on Alpha testing Beta version of the software should be ready Environment ready to release the software application to the public Tool to capture real time faults
Exit Criteria for Beta Testing:
All major and minor issues are closed Feedback report should be prepared from public Delivery of Beta test summary report
Advantages of Alpha Testing:
Provides better view about the reliability of the software at an early stage Helps simulate real time user behavior and environment. Detect many showstopper or serious errors Ability to provide early detection of errors with respect to design and functionality
Advantages of Beta Testing
Reduces product failure risk via customer validation. Beta Testing allows a company to test post-launch infrastructure. Improves product quality via customer feedback Cost effective compared to similar data gathering methods Creates goodwill with customers and increases customer satisfaction
Disadvantages of Alpha Testing:
In depth, functionality cannot be tested as software is still under development stage Sometimes developers and testers are dissatisfied with the results of alpha testing
Disadvantages of Beta Testing
Test Management is an issue. As compared to other testing types which are usually executed inside a company in a controlled environment, beta testing is executed out in the real world where you seldom have control. Finding the right beta users and maintaining their participation could be a challenge
Myths of Alpha and Beta Testing:
Myth: Alpha and Beta testing are carried out too late in the testing life cycle to merit a benefit Truth: Alpha and Beta testing help highlight crucial issues with the software application and provide user feedback. Myth: the Same type of testing is done in Alpha and Beta Testing and they are not different scenarios Truth: Alpha Testing is done in a lab environment, whereas Beta testing is done by real users reporting real problems based on firsthand experience. Both scenarios are remarkably different. Myth: Beta type of testing is difficult and time-consuming Truth: Beta testing takes time/experience to obtain the most value. But the data/feedback it provides is invaluable. Myth: Beta testing generates little or no useful data Truth: A successful Beta Test can generate tons of valuable information which is otherwise difficult to procure in a lab environment.
Conclusion
In Software Engineering, no matter how many tests you perform, how many bugs you kill, your software is useless if your end-users do not like it. Beta testing (second letter of Greek alphabet) helps provide authentic feedback of your software from real users. Alpha testing (first letter in the Greek alphabet) helps simulate real-time user environment before the software is sent for Beta Testing and helps shape a stable software candidate eligible for Beta Tests. Alpha and Beta Testing are indispensable in your testing lifecycle.
