The Ultimate strategy for Performance Testing On Mobile Applications

Performance testing is critical in the mobile app testing pipeline. This allows us to analyze the performance changes or spikes in the connection quality (3G, 4G, LTE), the change in a user’s location, traffic loads, and the list goes on. Also, when it comes to mobile applications, you still have to test the product on multiple devices to see how the difference in screen dimensions affects the performance.

The purpose of implementing performance testing is to provide information on apps concerning speed, stability, reliability, and scalability. It also helps define the speed and deterioration of a system under both regulated and unregulated standards with various configurations. Mainly, it unfolds what needs to be changed inside an app before the product is launched in the market.

Objectives to consider while conducting performance testing on mobile apps.

The list of goals a tester needs to meet is very detailed when it comes to performance testing. 

Validate application output for large workloads:

Performance testing helps product owners evaluate device output as the number of users or activities increases. The tester needs to know how many times the app must respond and how much resources of the device is being used at its peaks. This is particularly helpful if you have a traffic surge at certain situations. (where the number of visitors rises and declines shortly after a certain season or a period). 

Validate hardware use:

Validating hardware helps product owners to ensure that low CPU consumption and limited server capacity doesn’t prohibit the application from running in compliance with specifications through performance testing.

Identifying the application’s capability:

Let’s you decide whether the existing software meets the previously designated collection of metrics (peak traffic load, server response time, etc.).

Measuring and assessing the protocol level performance of the app:

This helps the tester to obtain a realistic traffic simulation, build a load profile, and calculate the response time.

Review application output during critical conditions:

The developer can set limits on the app’s performance by performance testing. This helps you to avoid machine crashes and predict them in advance.

Strategy for Performance Testing Mobile Apps

The creation of a plan from the scratch can be a challenge for startups that are newly funded. The good news is – for applications in all sectors and scales, the performance testing methodology approach remains identical.

A project manager needs to build a plan to effectively execute performance checks. Normally, the next steps are a step-by-step performance test plan.

Step 1. Align test goals and business requirements.

Choosing Performance testing services is just as effective as its objectives. Make sure they complement the business scopes of an app when determining goals for each case. A testing company’s main objective is to analyze the app’s functions that are important for lead generation – the cart feature for e-commerce stores, the register and contact form, etc.

The testing team needs to learn about the design of the product that includes its presentation, market, and data level.

Step 2. Identify test KPIs

By setting benchmarks, you will be able to determine whether the execution has succeeded or failed. The following KPIs are worth considering for mobile app testing:

• Error rate.
• Maximum response time.
• Average response time.
• The peak number of requests.
• Average/peak number of active users per device and OS.

Step 3. Prioritize scenarios

Testing all the app features simultaneously without choosing cases beforehand is a common trap for a first-time tester. Instead, it’s crucial to identify multiple package scenarios that are important to the reliable efficiency of the application.

Step 4. Simulate a test scenario in real life

To understand how users, view the app after it goes live, the testing environment is important. QA specialists primarily use device emulators to speed up the testing process.

These tools simulate the core parameters of an operating system and allow testers to sense how the interface looks and feels. However, to test the performance of features requiring camera authorization, GPS, and other device-specific functions, the best option would be to use real hardware.

Step 5. Link the test method to the overall development approach.

Testing should fit into the overall context of a business. For Agile, the tester should be prepared to apply the continuous integration concepts. When a Waterfall company tests a device, its workflow should be aligned accordingly – which includes regular bug reports and conducting regression testing.
Adopting the same research approach as the production approach enables the two parties involved to be on the same project page, to facilitate coordination, and to speed up decisions.

Step 6. Keep in mind a carriers’ network’s latency and bandwidth while testing

The latency and the bandwidth of the networks will differ since mobile devices are connected to the internet by third-party carriers. Considering the carrier network variations, a QA expert should optimize the performance and enhance the user experience of the app.

Conclusion

Although an inclusive approach to performance testing services will keep hunting bugs with every technical breakthrough, this guide will surely help you make the most out of your testing efforts. Testers must exploit these testing mechanisms for their mobile app testing with insights and tools that arise each day.

When handled by a team of accredited professionals, Mobile App Performance Testing is a success and has its own rewards. At AFour Technologies, we provide QA services for various industries and applications. Our team aims to minimize testing costs and to shorten the time taken to market an app.

Contact our team – If you want us on board for your next project. We will reach out in no time!