BVT Testing: Everything You Need To Know

The build verification test (BVT) not only verifies and validates the core and essential functionalities of the application but also prevents testers from testing the unstable build, which may break down later in the testing process.

Well, if you do not know what exactly BVT testing is and why it’s so much important, and what is the best strategy to execute BVT testing, then you are at the right place in this article; we have discussed everything you need to know about BVT testing.

So read this article and meet you at the conclusion.

What Is BVT Testing (Build Verification Testing)?

Build Validation test is a set of tests that are run on each new build to ensure that it is testable before it is released to the testing team for further testing. These core functionality test cases ensure the application is stable and can be thoroughly tested.
The build acceptance test is typically a short test that exercises the application software’s core functionality. Any build that fails the build verification test is rejected, and testing on the previous build is resumed.
This procedure, also known as Build Acceptance Testing or Smoke Testing, is used to assess the stability of a software build. This level of testing is critical for ensuring the build’s integrity, especially when it is integrated with numerous other modules.

BVT Basics

• It is a subset of tests that validate crucial functions.
• BVTs are typically run on daily builds, and if the BVT fails, the build is rejected, and a new build is released once the fixes have been completed.
• The benefit of BVT is that it saves a testing team’s time and effort in setting up and testing a build when significant functionality is broken.
• BVTs should be carefully designed to cover basic functionality.
• BVT should not run for more than 30 minutes.
• BVT is a type of regression testing that is performed on each new build.
• BVT cases and processes should not be implemented in a hurry.
• Include only stable test cases whose expected outcomes are known to you and leave out unstable test cases.
• BVT primarily checks for project integrity and whether all modules are appropriately integrated. When different teams develop project modules, module integration testing is critical. Many cases of application failure have been reported as a result of improper module integration. In the worst-case scenario, the entire project is scrapped due to module integration failure.

BVT Testing Process

The procedure for the BVT test will be as follows:

• Continuous testing and deployment include the execution of test cases.
• The results of each run will be analyzed.
• Once the testing is done, the results (with all the reports) will be sent to the development team along with logs.
• The development team examines the logs and creates fixes if bugs are discovered.
• Following bug fixes, a new build will be created, and test cases will run again.
• The build is sent to the testing or UAT team if it passes.
• If it fails, then the results will be sent to the development team again.

BVT Testing Strategy

• The build verification test cases should cover all of the software’s significant functionalities.
• Enough time should be dedicated to writing the build verification tests.
• Build Verification Tests should be stable, not only for rejecting but also for accepting builds based on their intended core functionalities.
• Positive scenarios and valid input data should be considered when designing build verification tests to ensure the intended functionality of the build.
• Because automation makes testing much more accessible, the BVT test process should be automated as much as possible.
• Each new build’s tests must be documented as a report.
• The report must be examined to determine whether there are any defects in the application, which must then be communicated to the development team.
• If a defect is discovered, it must be investigated to determine the root cause of the problem.
• After fixing defects, test cases should be run to ensure that the defects do not reoccur.

Why Should You Run BVT Test?

To answer this question, we need to understand two things: why is build checked, and what is BVT actually used for? By understanding these, you will know the importance of running BVT testing.

01 Why Is Build Checked?

BVT should be carefully designed and should not take more than 30 minutes to complete.
This type of regression testing should be performed on each new build, as it is critical for the consistent functionality of your software. In addition, BVT verifies the project’s integrity as well as the proper integration of all modules.
The primary purpose of BVT is to check the health of the initial build, as well as rudimentary checks such as whether all file formats are correct, whether all new and modified files are included in the release, and so on.
Performing these checks before sending the build to the test team will save time and money by identifying build flaws early on.

02 What Is BVT Used For?

Many testers wonder why build verification testing should be performed once a new build is received; the answer is simple: To check the build’s stability.
If a new build is received and you are testing functionality. Still, after some time, you encounter a blocker issue that blocks all other functionality; this means that the test team spent time testing the application.
Still, due to the blocking issue, the test team must repeat the same operation.
To avoid wasting the test team’s valuable time, we can use an automated Build Acceptance Test. BAT is critical for ensuring that previous developer fixes are not causing significant issues in the build.
As a result, all team members will be immediately aware of a severe problem with the build, reducing waste of tester time and frustration.
The majority of errors occur during module integration. BAT primarily checks for project integrity and ensures that all modules are appropriately integrated.
Typically, this process is automated, and if it fails, it should be assigned to an appropriate developer to fix.
If the BVT test fails, the build should be rejected, and testing should be performed on the previous build.
As a result, this is performed after each new build is received to ensure that no regression issue has been introduced into the build.

Key Point to Success of BVT

Spend a significant amount of time writing BVT test case scripts.
Log as much detailed information as possible to determine whether the BVT passes or fails as a result. This will aid the developer team in debugging and quickly determining the root cause of the failure.
If a new critical test case passes consistently on a different configuration for new features, then upgrade this test case in your BVT suite. This reduces the likelihood of frequent build failures caused by new unstable modules and test cases.
Automate as much of the BVT process as possible and automate everything, from the build release process to the BVT results.
You can simplify the task of including critical functionality test cases by communicating with everyone involved in the project development and testing. A similar process should be used to discuss BVT test cases, ultimately ensuring BVT success.

Tips For Selecting Build Verification Tests

• Include only critical test cases, which should be enough for application test coverage.
• Only stable test cases should be added, and all test cases should have known expected results.
• Modules that are not yet stable should not be included in BVT.
• Set some standards that must only be met by analyzing major project features and scenarios.
• BVT automation scripts must be maintained and modified regularly. Include test cases when new stable project modules become available. Try to automate as much of this process as possible – automate everything.
• Do not rush when writing BVT test case scripts.

What Happens When BVT Suite Runs?

• Assume that the Build verification automation test suite is run after each new build.
• The BVT execution results will be sent to all email addresses associated with the project.
• The BVT owner (the person who executes and maintains the BVT suite) inspects the BVT result.
• If the BVT fails, the BVT owner determines the cause of the failure.
• If the cause of the failure is a building defect, all relevant information, including failure logs, will be sent to the appropriate developers.
• The developer informs the team about the failure caused by his initial diagnostic. Is this an actual bug? What is his bug-fixing strategy if it is a bug?
• The BVT test suite is rerun on the bug fix, and if the build passes BVT, it is passed to the test team for additional detailed functionality, performance, and other tests.

Why Did BVT or Build Fail?

1. It is not always true that build verification testing fails because of a developer. There are numerous reasons why BAT test cases fail, including:
2. If the test case was automated and some coding was used, any coding errors could be introduced.
3. Using an Automation Tool to execute an automated BAT test suite may introduce errors that cause the BAT test suite to fail.
4. An infrastructure error may cause problems with the execution of the BAT test suite.
5. Failure of hardware or software may cause problems with the execution of the BAT test suite.

Build Verification Testing Checklist

• The build verification test cases should cover all the software’s significant functionalities.
• Enough time should be dedicated to writing the build verification tests.
• Build Verification Tests should be stable, not only for rejecting but also for accepting builds based on their intended core functionalities.
• Because automation makes testing much easier, the BVT test process should be automated as much as possible.
• Each new build’s tests must be documented as a report.
• The report must be examined to determine whether there are any defects in the application, which must then be communicated to the development team.
• If a defect is discovered, it must be investigated to determine the root cause of the problem.
• Following the repair of defects, test cases should be run to ensure that the defects do not reoccur.

Conclusion

BVT testing is nothing more than a collection of regression test cases that are run for each new build. This is also known as a smoke test. Unless and until the BVT passes, the build will not be assigned to the test team.
Testers can run BVT testing, and the results are communicated throughout the team. And if BVT fails, immediate action is taken to fix the bug. Typically, BVT processes are automated by writing scripts for test cases.
These tests are beneficial for both daily and long-term builds. They save significant time, money, and resources and test team arguments for an incomplete build.
Source : This blog is originally published at [TestGrid](https://testgrid.io/blog/build-verification-testing/)