A Step-by-Step Guide to Sanity Testing in Software Testing

Sanity Testing in Software Testing is a quick check of software after small changes. It helps ensure everything still works. This testing is simple but very important. It saves time before doing full tests.

In this guide, we will explain sanity testing in easy steps. Each step will help you apply it well. Let’s start by understanding what sanity testing is.

What Is Sanity Testing in Software Testing?

Sanity Testing in Software Testing checks if recent changes work without new bugs. It is not full testing. It only tests the changed parts of the software. It makes sure the basic functions are still working. If the test passes, the build is ready for deeper testing. If it fails, the build is rejected. This test is usually done by the QA team. It helps avoid wasting time on unstable builds.

When Do We Use Sanity Testing?

Sanity testing is used after minor updates or bug fixes. It checks if the changes broke anything. You don’t need to test everything. You just test what changed and how it connects to other parts. If this test is successful, full testing can start.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sanity Testing in Software Testing

Let’s go through the steps to do sanity testing properly.

Step 1: Understand the Change or Fix

Start by knowing what has changed. Read the update notes or talk to the developers. Know the features that were fixed or updated. This helps you focus on the right areas. You don’t need to test the whole software.

Step 2: Prepare a Sanity Test Plan

Now, create a small test plan. Write down which parts of the system need to be tested. Keep it short and simple. This plan should only include affected features. A well-defined plan makes testing clear and quick.

Step 3: Set Up the Testing Environment

Make sure your test environment matches the real user environment. Use the right software version, database, and tools. A stable setup helps you find real issues. Double-check your settings before running the test.

Step 4: Run the Sanity Tests

Now run your test cases. Focus only on the changed or fixed features. You can use manual or automated testing. Manual testing is good for small changes. Automated tests are better for frequent builds. Make sure each function works as expected. Check if buttons, links, and fields respond correctly.

Step 5: Check Related Features

After testing the main feature, test the connected parts. Sometimes, changes in one place affect others. For example, if a login page was fixed, test the dashboard too. This makes sure the change did not break anything nearby.

Step 6: Log the Test Results

Write down what passed and what failed. Include screenshots if possible. Clear records help your team understand what went wrong. If all tests pass, move on to full testing. If a test fails, stop and inform the developers. They need to fix the issue before deeper testing.

Step 7: Communicate with the Team

After testing, share the results with your team. Use a simple report format. Mention what was tested, the test result, and any issues found. Clear communication avoids confusion later.

Step 8: Decide the Next Step

Based on the test result, decide the next action.

• If tests pass: Approve the build for full testing.
• If tests fail: Reject the build and ask for fixes.

This step saves time by avoiding full testing on bad builds.

Benefits of Sanity Testing in Software Testing

Sanity testing brings many benefits to the team. Here are the top ones:

• Saves Time: It skips full testing and focuses on changed areas.
• Quick Feedback: Developers get fast feedback after changes.
• Improves Efficiency: It filters bad builds early in the process.
• Reduces Testing Effort: Only key features are tested, not the whole software.

Difference Between Sanity and Smoke Testing

Many people confuse sanity testing with smoke testing. But they are not the same.

Feature	Sanity Testing	Smoke Testing
Purpose	Tests specific parts	Tests main functions
When	After small updates	After a new build
Scope	Narrow and deep	Wide and shallow
Speed	Faster	Slower than sanity

Both are useful. But they serve different goals in the test cycle.

Best Practices for Sanity Testing

Here are a few best practices to follow:

1. Keep tests short and focused.
2. Update sanity tests regularly.
3. Use checklists or test scripts.
4. Automate repeat tests where possible.
5. Communicate clearly with your team.

Following these tips will make your sanity testing better and faster.

Example Scenario of Sanity Testing

Let’s look at a real-world example:

A developer fixes a bug in the “Reset Password” feature. The QA team runs sanity tests to check this fix. They also test the login and dashboard pages.

If everything works, they approve the build for full regression testing. If the reset still fails, they send it back to the developers. This simple process saves hours of testing time.

Tools That Help in Sanity Testing

Here are some tools that can help with sanity testing:

• Selenium: For automating web-based sanity tests.
• TestNG: For creating structured sanity test suites.
• Postman: For sanity testing APIs quickly.
• JIRA: For tracking and logging test results.

These tools improve speed and quality in your sanity testing process.

Conclusion

Sanity Testing in Software Testing is a smart way to test fast. It helps you check small changes quickly. It saves time and improves software quality. Use this guide to create your sanity testing plan. Follow the steps and best practices. This will make your testing process faster and better. Make sure your team understands sanity testing. When used well, it becomes a powerful testing tool.