Towards a Shift in Regression Test Suite Development Approach in Agile

Abstract

Objective: From the literature review, it is evident that the concept of “regression testing” inherited in agile software testing originates from software maintenance practices. Therefore, the existing algorithms for regression testing revolve around the software maintenance principles rather than agile methodology. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the degree of fitness of the existing regression test-suite development algorithms for performing the regression testing in agile. Methods: This paper performs a systematic literature review for research work published from 2006 to 2018, which includes survey of the existing regression testing algorithms to identify and overcome the challenges associated with them while performing regression testing in agile. This research paper considers the four research questions into scope for analyzing the fitness of existing regression test-suite development algorithm for performing regression testing under agile methodology. Further, this paper attempts to propose approach for the development of the regression test-suite suitable for regression testing under agile methodology. Results: The current regression test-suite development algorithm were found unsuitable for performing the regression testing under agile methodology due to the newly identified four key challenges associated with them. Conclusion: The current regression test-suite development algorithms aligned with software maintenance principles rather than agile methodology. In addition, the newly proposed approach for regression test-suite development found to be easily adaptable by agile teams as it aligns with agile methodology principles. Finally, this paper recommends the adoption of agile principle through the newly proposed approach for developing regression test-suite for performing regression testing under agile methodology.