9 Salesforce Testing Strategies to Bulletproof Your Org

We’re all familiar with that satisfying feeling when every aspect of Salesforce operates effortlessly. Thorough testing forms the foundation beneath this almost magical experience. Let’s begin by exploring the 9 Salesforce Testing Strategies.

In this blog post, we will highlight the pivotal role of testing in upholding the functionality and dependability of your Salesforce implementation. Therefore as a seasoned admin, a developer refining code, or a business leader steering operations, you must comprehend the significance of robust testing.

Join us on this exploration as we shine a light on why and how rigorous testing is essential for ensuring a resilient and efficient Salesforce environment. Together, we will uncover the tests that will empower your Salesforce testing journey.”

Planning Your Salesforce Testing Strategy

1. Understand Your Requirements:

• Make sure you are aware of the business needs for the Salesforce deployment.
• Determine which features and functionalities are most important to test.

2. Define Your Test Objectives:

• Clearly state what you hope to achieve with this testing.
• Establish your testing goals, which may include evaluating system performance, guaranteeing data integrity, or confirming particular functionalities.

3. Identify Your Test Scope:

• Specify the parameters of your testing endeavors.
• Indicate which integrations, features, and modules of Salesforce will be examined.

4. Create a Test Plan:

• Formulate a thorough test plan that delineates the testing methodology, materials, timeline, and deliverables.
• Provide information about the testing tools, data needs, and settings.

After laying the groundwork for success, let’s dive into our favorite 9 salesforce testing strategies that will form the foundation of your Salesforce plan.

Types of Salesforce Testing

1. Unit Testing

Apex testing is the most important strategy among our 9 salesforce testing strategies and involves methodically assessing individual Apex code units or components to ensure their quality, dependability, and functionality in Salesforce unit tests.. The smallest testable section of the code, usually a method inside a class, is called the “unit” in this context. The main goal of Apex unit testing is to ensure that every code unit functions as intended when tested in isolation. Developers create test classes with methods that explicitly target and evaluate the functionality of these individual parts. These tests simulate a range of scenarios and settings to verify that the code operates as intended.. With the use of tools like assertions provided by Salesforce’s testing framework, developers can check expected results and identify and fix possible problems early in the development cycle.

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What is Code Coverage?

Code coverage measures the percentage of code executed during testing, making it a crucial metric in Salesforce development. Developers must ensure they achieve sufficient code coverage and frequently aim to meet or exceed set standards.

Let’s build a basic Apex class for an email utility that verifies an email address’s validity based on a minimal set of requirements:

// EmailVerifier.cls

public class EmailVerifier {
    public static Boolean verifyEmailAddress(String emailAddress) {
        // Method to verify if an email address is valid
        // This is a basic validation and may not cover all cases
        return emailAddress != null && emailAddress.contains('@') && emailAddress.contains('.');
    }
}

Now, let’s create a unit test for this class:

// EmailVerifierTest.cls

@isTest
public class EmailVerifierTest {

    @isTest
    static void testVerifyEmailAddress() {
        // Arrange
        String validEmail = 'test@example.com';
        String invalidEmail = 'invalid.email';

        // Act
        Boolean isValidValidEmail = EmailVerifier.verifyEmailAddress(validEmail);
        Boolean isValidInvalidEmail = EmailVerifier.verifyEmailAddress(invalidEmail);

        // Assert
        System.assertEquals(true, isValidValidEmail, 'Valid email should return true');
        System.assertEquals(false, isValidInvalidEmail, 'Invalid email should return false');
    }

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Instructions:

First, focus on giving concise names to test methods that clearly express the goal of each test.

Use meaningful statements to reliably validate anticipated results.

Create tests that execute quickly by eliminating unnecessary steps and applying the arrange-act-assert pattern to maintain an efficient development process.

Regularly update the testing suite to keep it aligned with the dynamic features of your Salesforce application as the code evolves.

Now, let’s explore how smoke testing establishes a solid foundation for Salesforce testing.

2. Smoke Testing

To ensure that core functionalities of a Salesforce instance operate correctly after modifications or upgrades, perform a series of brief, high-level tests in smoke testing. Think of it as a quick check to ensure that no metaphorical fire is burning before you proceed to more thorough testing.

This procedure quickly and efficiently evaluates the general health of the system, making it especially important when making modifications to a Salesforce instance. As a gatekeeper, smoke testing prevents the progression to more complex testing stages if core features fail.

Smoke Test Scenario: User Authentication

Objective: Ensure that a web application’s user authentication process works as intended.

Preconditions: Ensure that the web application build is available and deployed.

Steps:

1. Access the login page:

• Start a web browser.
• Input the application’s login page’s URL.

2. Login with Valid Credentials: 

• Put in a valid password and username.
• Select “login” from the option list.

3. Verify Success Login:

• Verify if access is permitted by the application after inputting legitimate credentials.
• Verify that the user has been sent to the dashboard or home page.

4. Logout Functionality:

• Find the “Sign Out” or “Logout” menu item.
• Select the option to log out.

5. Verify Logout:

• Make sure that after logging out, the program reroutes to the login page.
• Try to go on a restricted page and verify that you are not allowed access.

6. Login with Invalid Credentials:

• Go back to the login screen.
• Enter a password or username that is incorrect.
• Select “Login” from the menu.

7. Verify Error Handling:

• Verify that when a login attempt is unsuccessful, the program shows the proper error message.
• Verify that the user’s login credentials are correct.

Postconditions: Confirm that the fundamental authentication features of the application work correctly. Once critical features pass the smoke test, integration testing takes center stage to thoroughly evaluate how different parts work together within the Salesforce ecosystem.

3. Integration Testing

Testing how Salesforce interacts error-free with external systems is a crucial step in integration testing. The goal of integration testing is to ensure that various components of the Salesforce ecosystem and external systems work together to execute business processes. Adopting effective strategies is essential when testing Salesforce interactions with other platforms.

Start by establishing a comprehensive set of test scenarios that cover different integration points and possible data conditions. Configure reliable data that closely mirrors actual conditions to ensure accurate simulation of data flow between systems. Use testing technologies to create realistic testing environments so you can thoroughly validate integration points. Automate complex and repetitive integration tests to speed up testing and identify potential issues early. The techniques used in integration testing set the stage for the next phase, system testing, as we navigate the complexities of Salesforce testing.

4. System Testing

As the last stage in ensuring the functionality of the application, system testing is an essential part of the Salesforce development process. Developing and implementing comprehensive end-to-end test scenarios that encompass the whole Salesforce platform is a necessary step in developing effective system testing methodologies. In order to adequately evaluate the functioning of the application, these scenarios ought to cover a variety of user paths.

In order to evaluate the Salesforce application’s resilience, real-world simulations of user interactions and data transactions are carried out throughout the execution phase. During system testing, problems must be found and fixed carefully, with an emphasis on anomalies and a methodical troubleshooting procedure.
In order to evaluate the Salesforce application’s resilience, real-world simulations of user interactions and data transactions are carried out throughout the execution phase. During system testing, problems must be found and fixed carefully, with an emphasis on anomalies and a methodical troubleshooting procedure.

Working together, developers, testers, and stakeholders can guarantee thorough problem solving and the development of a dependable Salesforce application. 

5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

UAT is an essential component of the Salesforce development lifecycle, guaranteeing the contentment of end users. End users take charge of this crucial stage and assess the application in light of their requirements and expectations. One method for doing systematic and well-organized UAT is to use test scripts. Test scripts, as used in UAT, are comprehensive instructions or steps intended to assist users in navigating the testing procedure. UAT test scripts typically contain the following components:

1. Test Steps: Detailed instructions specifying the precise steps the user needs to do in order to complete the testing procedure. To guarantee accurate implementation, these stages are frequently described in a clear and straightforward manner.
2. Expected Results: If the system operates as intended, the user should witness the expected outcome or result for each test step. This aids in determining whether the behavior of the system is as predicted or not.
3. Data Requirements: Details regarding any particular data or circumstances required in order for the test script to run successfully. This could include any other pertinent information, particular setups, or data that was already in the system.
4. Acceptance Criteria: These indicate if the system has completed the UAT successfully or not. These standards frequently stem from user expectations and business requirements.
5. Test Environment Information: Information regarding the test environment, such as the software version being tested, any special setups, and other pertinent details. 

Salesforce projects may successfully negotiate UAT and ensure user happiness and the implementation’s overall success by embracing these tips and promoting teamwork.

6. The End of the Testing Road

Now that basic Salesforce tests have established the foundation, it’s time to explore the realm of more detailed and intricate evaluations. Although unit, integration, and system testing are fundamental tests among our 9 salesforce testing strategies and constitute the foundation of quality assurance, a more thorough examination is required due to the changing Salesforce development environment. Enter tests that are more focused and catered to the specifics of the platform. These focused tests are essential for addressing the particular difficulties and limitations encountered in intricate Salesforce deployments as we move from the general to the specific. 

7. Performance Testing

In the ever-changing field of Salesforce development, evaluating and streamlining application performance is essential to providing a flawless user experience. An essential part of this process is performance testing, which uses a variety of instruments and methods to assess the system’s overall effectiveness, scalability, and responsiveness. Developers can replicate various scenarios and stress test the Salesforce application under varying conditions by employing performance testing tools.

Salesforce Performance Assistant is one of these solutions that helps you identify and resolve performance issues. Performance Assistant provides support while you evaluate the scalability of your Salesforce instance. It does this by explaining scalability principles, helping to create plans and strategies for testing, and evaluating performance data to suggest optimization tactics for your solution. 

As elaborated among these 9 salesforce testing strategies performance testing is a useful tool for locating possible bottlenecks that can prevent optimal performance. Salesforce applications can be made to run better by developers by refining queries, optimizing code, and streamlining procedures. This will guarantee that the applications satisfy user requests and scale well in practical situations. It’s essential to focus on security testing at this stage of the testing process to make sure that these solutions can withstand potential threats and vulnerabilities as well.

8. Security Testing

Strong security becomes more important as businesses depend more and more on Salesforce apps to manage sensitive data and vital business operations. In order to identify and address common vulnerabilities that may jeopardize the security of Salesforce applications, it is imperative that security issues be checked. Implementing security best practices in testing entails closely examining authorization procedures, data encryption, and authentication systems.

By actively assessing and bolstering the security of Salesforce apps, guarding against potential threats, and upholding the platform’s credibility, developers can increase user and stakeholder confidence. As the demand for dependable and seamless Salesforce apps grows, the conversation shifts to how test automation may expedite testing, reduce manual labor, and enable quick adjustments to evolving business requirements.

9. Automation in Salesforce Testing 

Salesforce development requires the use of automated technologies since they speed up testing, decrease the amount of manual labor required, and improve accuracy. Managing shifting data, frequent upgrades, and platform modifications present difficulties, nevertheless. For automated testing to be effective in the Salesforce environment, certain obstacles must be overcome. To increase efficiency, well-organized, automated test sets must be created and maintained.

These sets facilitate rapid adaptation to shifting business requirements and increase testing reliability. Utilizing test automation technologies is essential when working with the intricacies of Salesforce development in order to produce reliable and error-free apps. Prover Automation provides an easy-to-use platform that eliminates the need for complex coding knowledge, making test automation in Salesforce simpler. Automation lowers the learning curve associated with automation technologies by allowing testers to easily build and run complicated test scenarios using an intuitive interface. Teams can automate Salesforce testing effectively without having to deal with complex programming thanks to its drag-and-drop flexibility and pre-built components.

Automation is a flexible and effective solution for companies looking to streamline their test automation procedures since it can adjust to regular Salesforce upgrades, ensuring that testing is dependable and current.

Summary

Building strong and dependable Salesforce apps requires effective testing. Therefore, focusing on preserving the integrity of Salesforce applications is crucial, whether manual techniques or automated solutions like Prover Automation are used. These 9 Salesforce testing Strategies will help you achieve the highest standards of data security and user experience, which are required by different enterprises. The dynamic Salesforce environment necessitates flexibility and thorough testing methodologies.

Organizations may confidently enhance their Salesforce solutions to satisfy the changing needs of users and stakeholders by implementing a practical approach that combines exacting testing procedures with cutting-edge technologies. In the ever-evolving world of Salesforce development, testing is a continual commitment to quality rather than a one-time activity.

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