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Author Profile Information - Martin Koch

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QA Mentor & Process Coordinator at aqua
On the Web
About the author

Enhancement of the aqua product is Martin’s main responsibility and biggest mission. His expertise covers ITIL Process Consulting, Change Management, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, and Requirements Management. Martin works in QA services for regulated industries for more than 18 years being an irreplaceable leader at andagon Group.

Articles on the site
Test Suite vs Test Case: What is the Difference?
Is a "test suite" just a fancy name for a "test case"? It’s easy to think so, especially if you’re new to software testing or an experienced professional using multiple terms daily. Many use these interchangeably, but knowing the difference between the two is crucial. If you can distinguish between test suite and test case, you go beyond terminology; it impacts how effectively you structure, execute, and analyse your testing efforts. Rest assured, this guide is all you need to gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of both terms.
10 November 2024
Functional Testing Explained
Every system relies on one thing above all: that its features work as they should. Although different software testing types serve this general purpose, there is a specific one that takes on this responsibility and it is called functional testing. It helps you ensure each part of your software performs as expected, every single time. Without it, you’re looking at possible breakdowns, unhappy users, and a reputation at risk. Let’s discover how functional testing keeps your software reliable and why it’s essential for a smooth user experience above all.
31 October 2024
Mateo Add-On for aqua: Unlocking New Horizons Through Automation and Collaboration
Imagine a bustling software development team, working to perfect their latest project. The testing phase, an essential yet often cumbersome part of the process, looms large. Hours are spent meticulously running and rerunning tests, ensuring every line of code behaves as expected. The team knows that this is vital, but they also know how draining it can be. Enter aqua, a test management tool that promises to transform this daunting task into a seamless experience. But the real magic begins when aqua joins forces with Mateo, an automation powerhouse, creating a symphony of efficiency and collaboration.
25 August 2024
Meeting Enterprise-Level Security Standards in QA: A Comprehensive Approach
You’re knee-deep in your management tasks, leading the process, not doing so badly, and thinking maybe this whole QA can be streamlined. And then a nightmare becomes a reality: you receive an email about a security breach. This does not look like simple problems from your previous experiences: now you work at an enterprise, and standards should be high, right? So, now you reflect on the situation and think: how can I not be trapped in this situation and avoid the headaches in the future? This guide is the only one you need to set higher enterprise security standards in QA than ever before.
14 May 2024
Master Test Case Creation with These Best Practices and Tools for Efficiency
Be honest: do you love creating a test case? No? We wonder why. According to different industry sources, it might take up to 40% of your QA process. God forbid if you are taking a manual approach or using a subpar test case creation tool. In this case, it’s normal to find yourself drowning in the middle of hundreds of test scenarios, waiting to be saved by someone. Well, fortunately, that someone exists. In this guide, we will ease your burdens by discussing the best strategies and tools for test case creation.
18 April 2024
Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Test Management System (TMS) in 2024
It’s nearly 6 PM, and another long day in the realm of QA is ending. You pack your things, ready to close your computer. You can feel the weight of the endless spreadsheets and documents pressing down on your shoulders as you prepare to leave. As you do everything manually, each task, from organising test cases to tracking requirements and managing defects, has become a huge effort. And tomorrow will be no different. And the day after. Should it go on like this? Of course not! Have you ever thought about turning this around and finally using a comprehensive Test Management System (TMS) to save your day or maybe even your mental health? Sit close: this article might just be your starting point for a change in QA.
12 April 2024
Feedback Loops in AI-powered Test Automation: Ensuring Continuous Improvement
Despite using AI in automation, you might feel the struggle for consistent improvement of your systems. The thing is, in AI-powered test automation, the efficiency relies not just on the initial setting but on the algorithms’ ability to learn and evolve. That is why feedback loops are crucial: they fuel the adaptive nature of AI systems, enabling them to learn, refine, and revolutionise these systems’ testing capabilities autonomously. If you want to master feedback loops and turn them into your superpower while working with AI, this article is the right place to settle for.
31 January 2024
Leverage AI for Better Requirements Prioritisation: 2024 Guide
Ever wondered how costly misprioritising requirements could be for your software? A staggering 64% of software projects fail due to poor requirements management, leading to incomplete testing and costly rework. However, there is a solution: with the rise of AI, managing requirements has become more efficient than ever. This article will guide you through how AI revolutionises requirements management, from streamlining communication to enhancing test coverage and ensuring precise documentation.
23 January 2024
Advanced Reporting in QA: Tips for Smarter Decision-Making in 2024
In QA, pinpoint accuracy is essential, but it's not only about merely finding bugs. You also need advanced reporting to unlock invaluable testing insights. These reports do more than list issues; they offer invaluable understanding for improving testing strategies. Curious to understand the pivotal role of advanced reporting and learn to transform testing data into a catalyst for informed decision-making? Let's start navigating the complexities of QA reporting in this comprehensive guide.
27 December 2023
The only test execution summary guide you need in 2024
See if this scenario sounds familiar: you've poured countless hours into software testing, yet the true essence of your efforts gets lost in inefficient reports. It’s disappointing, right? But fear not; you will learn about test execution summaries. By the end, you'll wield the power to transform your testing reports into compelling narratives that genuinely reflect the value of your work. Dive in and watch your reports speak volumes!
05 December 2023
Navigating Test Environment Transitions: Your Ultimate Guide
Change is the constant in software development, and in today's landscape, test environment transitions are the catalyst for this change. They're the answer to streamlining processes, addressing complexities, and ensuring a precise software deployment. The question is, will you be able to adapt to these changes?
13 November 2023
Mastering Test Data Management for Optimised QA Workflows
In the software testing world, the value of accurate test data management (TDM) cannot be overstated. Impeccable software quality hinges on the precision and reliability of tests. Do inconsistent or inadequate test data hinder your QA workflows? This article will help you learn how to master test data management to unlock optimised QA workflows.
31 October 2023
Top 3 Zephyr Alternatives
If you feel tired of sailing through the same old Zephyr waters and feeling the need for a fresh breeze in your test management journey, you are not alone. While Zephyr is undeniably a robust tool, the digital world is ever-evolving, and it's only natural to explore new horizons that align better with your team's aspirations. As we dive into 2024, many exciting contenders have risen to the surface. In this article, we'll embark on a voyage to discover the top Zephyr alternatives that could be your next test management haven.
16 October 2023
The 9 benefits of enriching Jira with aqua TMS
Jira сan do many things for you, but it certainly can’t act as your test management tool. . Now, there are two solutions around it: you use an underpowered QA plugin for Jira or perform testing in a dedicated tool and move some processes there. But here’s a third way: you enhance your Jira workflow with a specialised Jira-friendly test management solution like aqua. Read on to learn how everyone can work in the tool that suits them best while keeping data synced.
11 October 2023
Die 9 Vorteile der Anreicherung von Jira mit aqua TMS
Jira kann viele Dinge für Sie tun, aber es kann sicherlich nicht als Ihr Testmanagement-Tool fungieren. Nun gibt es zwei Lösungen: Sie verwenden ein leistungsschwaches QS-Plugin für Jira oder Sie führen das Testen in einem speziellen Tool durch und verschieben einige Prozesse dorthin. Aber es gibt noch eine dritte Möglichkeit: Sie erweitern Ihren Jira Arbeitsablauf mit einer speziellen, Jira-freundlichen Lösung für das Testmanagement wie aqua. Lesen Sie weiter, um zu erfahren, wie jeder in dem Tool arbeiten kann, das am besten zu ihm passt, während die Daten synchronisiert bleiben.
11 October 2023
Requirements management with AI: Your ultimate guide
Do you struggle with defining, documenting, and tracking your QA project requirements? AI is here to help you. Do not worry, we are not talking about bots replacing you at your workplace — we are talking about maximising your results by using the full power of AI.
10 October 2023
5 Test management tools to try instead of Polarion
Choosing the right software tool can make all the difference in QA. While Polarion offers various advantages, you might have faced a lot of challenges like a non-intuitive UI, API usage issues and just higher costs. If Polarion does not cut it for you anymore, we're here to guide you towards alternatives that not only address these concerns but also provide more advanced and even budget-friendly solutions that might better align with your needs.
25 September 2023
Preparation, migration, success: 14 steps for moving tests into a new TMS
It is daunting to migrate existing test cases into a new test management system. The process may take too long, result in data loss, and it would be very frustrating if your colleagues hate the new TMS after all. In this article, we will explore selection of a new software testing tool, proper migration activities, and steps to take after migration.
18 September 2023
Visual bug reporting: 8 benefits & 3 best tools
Software testing has come a long way in the past 30 years. Teams have gone from basic Excel spreadsheets to complex real-time collaborative test management solutions. Bug reporting is going through a similar evolution: using just text isn’t good enough. Let’s explore why and how you add media to your QA.
15 September 2023
Visuelle Fehlerberichte: 8 Vorteile und die 3 besten Tools
Das Testen von Software hat in den vergangenen 30 Jahren einen langen Weg zurückgelegt. Die Teams haben sich von einfachen Excel-Tabellen zu komplexen kollaborativen Echtzeit-Testmanagementlösungen entwickelt. Die Meldung von Fehlern macht eine ähnliche Entwicklung durch: Nur Text zu verwenden, ist nicht gut genug. Lassen Sie uns untersuchen, warum und wie Sie Medien in Ihre QS aufnehmen.
15 September 2023
Produktversion 23.92: Turbogeladene Textbearbeitung, frisches Dashboard-Design und mehr
Wir freuen uns, die neuesten Updates mit einer lebendigen Aqua-Benutzeroberfläche und turbogeladenen Textbearbeitungsfunktionen vorzustellen! Neben anderen Verbesserungen haben wir auch ein neues Erscheinungsbild für das Dashboard eingeführt. Lassen Sie uns ohne weitere Umschweife in die aufregenden neuen Änderungen und Ergänzungen eintauchen, die wir für Sie bereithalten.
12 September 2023
Product release 23.92: Turbocharged Text Editing, Dashboard Fresh Look & More
We're thrilled to unveil the latest updates featuring a vibrant aqua user interface and turbocharged text editing capabilities! We've also introduced a fresh look for the dashboard among other enhancements. Without further ado, let's dive into the exciting new changes and additions we have in store for you.
12 September 2023
4 wesentliche Strategien zur Visualisierung der Testabdeckung
Testabdeckung ist ein zentrales Konzept beim Testen von Software. Es können sowohl zu viele als auch zu wenige Tests durchgeführt werden, sodass Metriken zur Anforderungsabdeckung ein guter Indikator dafür sind, ob man auf dem richtigen Weg ist. In diesem Artikel werden wir die Vorteile der Visualisierung Ihrer Abdeckung untersuchen und wichtige Taktiken zur Erreichung dessen aufzeigen.
04 September 2023
4 key strategies to visualise test coverage
Test coverage is a key concept in software testing. You can have both too many or too few tests, so requirements coverage metrics are a good indicator whether you’re on the right track. In this article, we will explore the benefits of visualising your coverage and key tactics to achieve it.
04 September 2023
The 5 best practices for managing requirements changes — and the tools to handle them
Requirements are designed to be created, locked in, and executed. Unfortunately, there are times when you have to make tweaks or even start something different from scratch. Let’s explore how you can still succeed through efficient requirements change management.
22 August 2023
Top 3 Kualitee alternatives that pass regulatory audits
Kualitee is a modern test management tool with a fresh look. However, limited scope and modest analytics may make you look for a Kualitee alternative. Let’s look at Kualitee in more detail before we consider alternatives.
11 August 2023
Top 4 PractiTest alternatives that do what it can’t
PractiTest is a popular and established test management solution that has been in the market for 15 years. The market, however, has never been more diverse with a number of old and new PractiTest alternatives. Let’s have a look at tools that may make you reconsider using or adopting PractiTest.
09 August 2023
Test Case Management: everything you need to know
How often have you lost yourself in a labyrinth of test cases, struggling to find control over your software testing processes? In the fast-paced development world where you can't catch a breath, efficient test case management is the compass you need through the endless deserts of quality assurance. It ensures you reach your desired destination — robust, reliable software products ready to conquer the market.
19 July 2023
The essential 5 Coursera courses in 2024
In the exhilarating software testing world, where precision and skill determine the fate of digital products, you, the software testers, hold the key to unlocking innovation and ensuring impeccable quality. Whether you are a junior tester embarking on your testing journey or a seasoned professional seeking to reach new heights of the QA craft, this article is your gateway to a realm of knowledge and growth.
20 June 2023
How, when and why top QA Engineers use AI in testing
There is a good joke about replacing developers and testers with AI: "To replace programmers with robots, clients must accurately describe what they want. So we are safe."
21 December 2022
Wie, wann und warum Top-QS-Ingenieure KI beim Testen einsetzen
Es gibt einen guten Witz über die Ersetzung von Entwicklern und Testern durch KI: „Um Programmierer durch Roboter zu ersetzen, müssen die Kunden genau beschreiben, was sie wollen. Wir sind also sicher.“
20 December 2022
Steigern Sie die Produktivität Ihres QS-Teams durch bessere Meetings
Vor etwa 7 Monaten schrieb mein Kollege einen Beitrag auf LinkedIn darüber, wie wir unsere Freigaben für Anwendungen verbessert haben. Und heute möchte ich andere Ratschläge zur Verbesserung von Meetings geben.
28 November 2022
Boost your QA team productivity with better meetings
About 7 months ago, My coworker wrote a post on LinkedIn about how we improved our application releases. And today, I want to share different advice about how to improve meetings.
28 November 2022
Was ist Usability-Testen?
Softwareprojekte führen nicht immer zu einem Erfolg. Laut dem jährlichen CHAOS-Bericht der Standish Groupist war von insgesamt 50.000 Projekten weltweit nur eines von drei erfolgreich. Wie können Sie sich ihren Reihen anschließen? Ganz einfach: Investieren Sie in Usability-Tests.
05 August 2022
What is Usability Testing?
Software projects don't always end up being a success. According to the annual CHAOS report by Standish Group, out of a total of 50,000 projects globally, only one out of three succeed. How do you join their ranks? Simple: invest in usability testing.
05 August 2022
Was ist kontinuierliches Testen? Die 5 wichtigsten Punkte für erfolgreiches Testen
Traditionelle Ansätze für die IT von Unternehmens, die in der Regel auf zeitaufwändigen manuellen Prozessen beruhen, sind in den letzten Jahren flexibleren, effizienteren und ergebnisorientierten Fehlern gewichen. Und mit dieser Verlagerung des Schwerpunkts auf schnellere Softwareentwicklungszyklen sind DevOps und agile Methoden jetzt für jedes Unternehmen unerlässlich, welches mit Initiativen zur digitalen Transformation erfolgreich sein will.
12 July 2022
What is Continuous Testing? The top 5 keys for successful testing
Traditional approaches to enterprise IT, usually based on time-consuming manual processes, have given way in recent years to more flexible, efficient, and result-oriented errors. And with this shift in focus on faster software development cycles, DevOps and Agile methodologies are now essential for any business looking to succeed by discovering digital transformation initiatives.
12 July 2022
Warum Unternehmen von TestRail auf aqua umsteigen
Ein Grund für die Beliebtheit von Testmanagement-Tools ist zweifelsohne die Vereinfachung und Verbesserung der Qualitätssicherung. Der enorme Umfang der ständig wachsenden Softwareentwicklung zwingt Manager gerade dazu, die besten Tools auf dem Markt zu suchen, wenn sie auf dem florierenden Zug der IT-Branche mithalten wollen.
22 June 2022
Why Migrate from TestRail to aqua? In-Depth Comparison Insights
Part of the reason test management tools are popular is undoubtedly simplification find improvement of Quality Assurance. The massive scope of constantly growing software development forces managers to seek out the best tools on the market if they are interested in riding the prospering IT business train.
22 June 2022
Top 5 Testmanagement-Lösungen für Versicherungen
Qualitätssicherung im Versicherungswesen ist aus mehreren Gründen ein heikles Thema. Die Gewinnspannen sind sehr gering. Jegliche Nachlässigkeit auf technischer Seite bedeutet eine potenzielle rechtliche Haftung. Werfen wir einen Blick auf die Instrumente, mit denen Sie die Qualitätssicherung durchführen können, um dies zu vermeiden.
07 June 2022
Top 5 test management solutions for Insurance
Quality Assurance in insurance is a delicate subject for more reasons than one. You operate on pretty slim margins. Any and all negligence on the technical part is potential legal liability. Let’s look at the tools that help you run quality assurance to avoid it.
07 June 2022
10 Vorteile eines Test Case Management-Tools im Vergleich zu Excel
Gegen Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts war es noch üblich mit Excel zu testen. Heutzutage benutzen die meisten neuen Unternehmen von vornherein eine Testmanagement-Lösung, während größere Unternehmen schon lange gewechselt haben. Hier die Vorteile der Verwendung eines Testmanagement-Tools anstelle von Excel.
30 May 2022
10 benefits of using test case management tool instead of Excel
Testing with Excel used to be the thing back in the 2000s. These days, most new companies go straight to a test management solution while giant enterprises have long switched to them. Let’s see the benefits of using a test management tool instead of Excel.
30 May 2022
Why companies expand from Xray testing to aqua
Test management solutions are not necessarily standalone solutions. Some can be complementing other tools, such as Jira. Let’s see how one such Jira addon, Xray, fares against the standalone solution aqua.
23 May 2022
Why companies move away from Kualitee to aqua
Test management solutions are far too many. Some even go further than just testing and enable you to do both development and QA in the same testing software tool. In this article, we will compare two such solutions: AI-powered aqua and Kualitee.
03 May 2022
Die 5 besten Testmanagement-Lösungen für Banken
Qualitätssicherung im Bankwesen ist eine heikle Angelegenheit. Eine Veröffentlichung ohne größere Fehler ist kein Wettbewerbsvorteil, sondern eine gesetzliche Vorgabe. Nicht jeder Anbieter von allgemeinem Testmanagement ist für diese Anforderungen geeignet, so dass es umso schwieriger ist, gute Software zu finden.
22 April 2022
Top 5 test management solutions for Banking
Quality Assurance in Banking is a tricky matter. Releasing without major bugs is not a competitive advantage, but a regulatory requirement. Not every general-purpose test management vendor fits them, so finding good software is that much harder.
22 April 2022
aqua Integrations: aqua + the tools you love
aqua takes a dual approach to integrations. We offer 11 out-of-the-box integrations plus REST API to hook all your favorite tools.
11 March 2022
5 Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Test Management Solution
There are many test management solutions, and they share essential functionality.
24 December 2021
5 Überlegungen, die Sie bei der Auswahl einer Testmanagementlösung machen sollten
Es gibt zahlreiche Testmanagementlösungen, die alle über die gleichen grundlegenden Funktionen verfügen. Sie alle bieten Testfälle und Testszenarien, Berichte und Integrationen mit anderen QS- und/oder Softwareentwicklungs-Tools. Wie trifft man die richtige Wahl bei Softwaretest-Tools und bereut sie später nicht? Ganz einfach: Überprüfen Sie die weniger offensichtlichen Funktionen.
24 December 2021
aqua 21.2 release: labels, Jira improvements, and extended options for test executions
We just released a new aqua version - 21.2 with new and improved functionality and want to elaborate on some features so that you can make the most out of it.
08 December 2021
QA audit in banking apps: what you need to know about the procedure in EU
Banking applications are one of the most complicated applications, so their development and testing involve challenging processes. One of them is the QA audit that the Banking in EU follows according to EU-defined Standards.
22 October 2021
QS-Audit bei Banking-Apps: Was Sie über das Verfahren in der EU wissen müssen
Bankanwendungen gehören zu den kompliziertesten Anwendungen, sodass ihre Entwicklung und ihr Testen anspruchsvolle Prozesse darstellen. Eines davon ist das QS-Audit, das die Banken in der EU gemäß den von der EU festgelegten Standards durchführen.
22 October 2021
Benefits of Using the QA ALM Solution for Banking Application
As technology is emerging, financial institutions are quickly embracing digital technology and are moving towards digitization. As a result, the banking industry now massively depends on technology and diverse banking applications, serving the customers per Web and Native app solutions. Since bank working involves customers’ crucial data, which is needed to perform transactions 24/7, it becomes essential for banking systems to have the right QA strategy. 
13 October 2021
ISO compliance rules for quality assurance: a short guide
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops and publishes worldwide technical, industrial, and commercial standards. Some are applicable for QA professionals as well. We'll take a look at the ones you need to get through the audit.
08 October 2021
Announcement: new aqua release 20.1
aqua 20.1 brings you some new features and improvements! The new release focuses on improving usability and making working with aqua even easier.
24 October 2020
5 Examples of How AI is Revolutionizing Software Testing
For several years now, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been considered trendsetting technologies. Reliable software for self-driving cars or further developments in robot technology would hardly be possible without AI and ML. It is, therefore, no surprise that leading global companies such as Tesla or Google are not only focusing on these technologies but are also actively driving development forward.
23 January 2020