Smoke testing serves as the initial health check of a new software build. It quickly verifies whether the most important features function correctly, giving the team confidence to proceed with more thorough testing. This article will break down what smoke testing is, why it matters, who is involved, the different approaches to it, and how it fits into the overall testing lifecycle. By the end, you’ll understand how smoke testing helps teams work smarter and ship better software faster.
What is Smoke Testing?
The term “smoke testing” originally comes from hardware manufacturing, where powering on a new device for the first time could reveal if it would “smoke” or malfunction. In software development, smoke testing is a preliminary test of the build’s core functionality. It’s not about deep or exhaustive testing but a quick confirmation that the basic features work and the build is stable enough to proceed.
Think of smoke testing as a high-level checklist—run through a few key scenarios such as logging in, loading the main dashboard, or submitting a form. If these pass, the software “does not smoke,” and deeper functional or regression testing can continue.
Why is Smoke Testing Important?
In Agile and DevOps environments, where continuous integration and frequent deployments are the norms, smoke testing plays a critical role by:
Catching Major Issues Early: Smoke testing catches showstopper defects right after a build is delivered, before QA or business stakeholders invest time testing.
Saving Time and Resources: Instead of spending hours on detailed tests for a broken build, smoke tests quickly confirm if it’s worth the effort.
Supporting Faster Feedback: Developers get rapid feedback on integration points and build stability, allowing them to fix critical problems early.
Improving Team Collaboration: Smoke testing clarifies expectations about what works and what doesn’t, helping BA, PO, QA, and Dev teams align.
Increasing Confidence for Stakeholders: Product Owners and business teams gain assurance that major features are intact before investing further.
Who’s Involved in Smoke Testing?
Successful smoke testing depends on collaboration across several roles:
Business Analyst (BA)
Defines and understands the key features and business-critical functionality that must be tested.
Works with Product Owners to prioritize what should be included in the smoke test suite.
Product Owner (PO)
Ensures smoke tests align with business goals and customer needs.
Sets priorities and acceptance criteria for the most important features to validate early.
Quality Assurance (QA)
Designs and executes smoke test cases, both manual and automated.
Validates basic application stability and functionality.
Reports critical issues quickly to developers and project management.
Developers (Devs)
Provide stable builds for smoke testing.
Run initial smoke tests in development environments.
Collaborate closely with QA to resolve critical defects.
Project Manager / Scrum Master
Facilitates communication between team members.
Ensures smoke testing fits into sprint cycles and release pipelines.
Keeps the team organized to maintain testing discipline.
Types of Smoke Testing
Depending on the project context and resources, smoke testing can be executed in different ways:
Manual Smoke Testing
Performed by QA testers manually executing key scenarios.
Useful when test automation is not yet available or for complex user interactions.
Allows human judgment for UI and usability aspects.
Automated Smoke Testing
Implemented as automated test scripts run on every new build.
Provides fast, repeatable checks with minimal human intervention.
Ideal for continuous integration pipelines requiring quick feedback.
Hybrid Approach
Combines manual and automated tests to cover different aspects.
Automation handles repetitive checks, while manual testing addresses exploratory or complex features.
Smoke Testing vs Other Testing Types: A Quick Comparison
Feature | Smoke Testing | Regression Testing | Sanity Testing |
---|---|---|---|
Goal | Verify basic key features work | Ensure new changes don’t break existing functionality | Check specific fixes or functionality after minor changes |
Who Does It | QA and sometimes Devs | Mostly QA | QA and sometimes Devs |
When | On every new build | After every code change or sprint | After a specific bug fix or minor update |
Scope | Limited to core functions | Full application | Narrow and focused area |
Time Required | Short | Longer | Short |
Roles and Responsibilities in Smoke Testing
Role | Responsibility in Smoke Testing | Value to Team and Project |
---|---|---|
BA | Identifies critical features and acceptance criteria | Ensures tests cover business-critical areas |
PO | Prioritizes features for testing | Aligns testing with business objectives |
QA | Creates and executes test cases | Detects major defects early |
Devs | Provide builds and perform initial smoke tests | Quickly identify integration issues |
PM/Scrum Master | Coordinates schedules and communication | Keeps testing aligned with project timelines |
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoke Testing
1. Identify Key Features for Testing
Start by listing the main functions that must work correctly for the software to be considered stable. Examples include:
User authentication (login/logout)
Data entry and submission forms
Core navigation and dashboard loading
Payment or transaction processing (if applicable)
The goal is to focus on features without which the application is unusable.
2. Prepare Test Cases and Environment
Develop concise smoke test cases or scripts that cover these key features. Set up the test environment to closely mimic production conditions for reliable results. Ensure all necessary test data and configurations are ready.
3. Execute the Tests
Run the smoke tests promptly once a new build is available. Whether manual or automated, keep the tests focused on the essentials. The testing should be quick and efficient.
4. Analyze Results and Make Decisions
Review test outcomes immediately:
If the smoke test passes, the build is stable enough for detailed functional, integration, or regression testing.
If it fails, report issues immediately for urgent fixes before further testing.
5. Document and Share Results
Record the smoke test results clearly, including any failures or anomalies. Share this information with all relevant stakeholders (QA, Devs, BA, PO, PM) to maintain transparency and prompt action.
Example: Smoke Testing a Mobile Banking App
Imagine a team developing a mobile banking application. Before detailed testing begins, smoke testing validates core functions:
Login and authentication: Can users securely log in and log out?
Balance check: Does the account balance display correctly?
Fund transfers: Are transfers between accounts processed?
Transaction history: Can users view their recent transactions?
Each team member’s role is vital:
The BA confirms these features are the business priorities.
The PO sets the order of testing based on customer impact.
QA prepares and runs smoke tests on the latest build.
Devs provide stable builds and fix any blockers.
The Scrum Master ensures smooth coordination.
If these basic functions fail during smoke testing, the build goes back for fixes before more in-depth testing proceeds.
Benefits of Smoke Testing
Saves Time and Reduces Costs: By catching major defects early, teams avoid wasted effort on flawed builds.
Improves Team Alignment: Everyone understands the software’s current stability and focus areas.
Enables Continuous Delivery: Automated smoke testing supports rapid release cycles with confidence.
Boosts Overall Quality: Early detection prevents defect propagation downstream.
Best Practices for Effective Smoke Testing
Keep It Simple and Focused: Test only the critical features that represent the build’s health.
Automate Where Possible: Use automation to run smoke tests quickly and consistently.
Integrate into CI/CD Pipelines: Make smoke testing a standard gate before deployment or further testing.
Collaborate Across Roles: Engage BA, PO, QA, and Dev teams to define and prioritize smoke tests.
Document Thoroughly: Maintain clear test cases, results, and issue logs for traceability.
Review and Update: Regularly revisit smoke test suites to adapt to new features or changes.
Smoke testing is a foundational practice in modern software development that protects teams from investing time and resources into unstable builds. It acts as an early warning system, quickly validating the software’s core functionality and readiness for deeper testing. By integrating smoke testing thoughtfully into your workflows—whether manual, automated, or hybrid—you empower your team to deliver high-quality software efficiently and confidently.
Understanding who is responsible for smoke testing, what to test, and how to analyze results helps your team maintain focus, communicate effectively, and respond swiftly to issues. Ultimately, smoke testing is not just a technical checkpoint but a collaboration tool that supports continuous delivery and excellence in software quality.
Smoke Testing Checklists
1. General Smoke Testing Checklist
Use this checklist to verify core application functionality after a new build:
Test Area | Test Description | Pass Criteria |
---|---|---|
Application Launch | Application starts without errors | App opens successfully without crashes |
User Login/Authentication | Login with valid credentials | User is authenticated and directed to dashboard |
Navigation | Core menus and links load and respond | All main navigation items work |
Basic UI Elements | Buttons, forms, and inputs render correctly | UI elements display properly and are interactive |
Data Entry and Submission | Forms accept valid input and submit without error | Data is accepted and saved or processed |
Data Display | Key pages display data correctly (e.g., dashboard) | Data matches expected content |
Error Handling | Trigger common error scenarios (e.g., invalid login) | Appropriate error messages appear |
Logout | User can log out successfully | Session ends, and user returns to login |
2. Web Application Smoke Testing Checklist
Ideal for web apps, covering browser and backend checks:
Test Area | Test Description | Pass Criteria |
---|---|---|
Homepage Load | Homepage loads within reasonable time | Page loads fully without errors |
Responsive Design | Test on different screen sizes (desktop, mobile) | Layout adjusts correctly |
Form Validation | Submit forms with valid and invalid data | Validation messages work as expected |
Database Connectivity | Verify backend connection | Data is fetched and stored successfully |
API Integration | Core APIs respond correctly | API calls return expected status codes |
Session Management | User sessions maintain state | User remains logged in unless logged out |
Security Checks | Access restricted pages without login | Redirects to login or access denied |
3. Mobile App Smoke Testing Checklist
Focused on core mobile functionality:
Test Area | Test Description | Pass Criteria |
---|---|---|
App Installation | App installs and launches without error | App opens without crashes |
Permissions | Requests necessary permissions | Permissions prompt appears and functions correctly |
User Authentication | Login/logout process | User can log in and out smoothly |
Offline Mode | App functions when offline (if applicable) | App handles lack of internet gracefully |
Push Notifications | Notifications received as expected | Notifications arrive without delay or error |
Key Feature Use | Core features operate correctly (e.g., payments) | Features complete without failure |
Battery and Performance | App does not cause excessive battery drain or lag | App performance is stable |
4. API Smoke Testing Checklist
For back-end services and API layers:
Test Area | Test Description | Pass Criteria |
---|---|---|
API Endpoint Availability | Key endpoints respond within acceptable time | Status 200 (OK) or appropriate status codes |
Authentication | API requires valid authentication | Unauthorized requests are rejected |
CRUD Operations | Create, Read, Update, Delete operations function | Operations complete successfully |
Data Validation | Invalid data is handled with errors | API returns proper error messages |
Rate Limiting | API enforces rate limits if applicable | Excess requests are throttled |
Error Responses | API returns consistent error formats | Errors include helpful messages |
5. Automation Smoke Testing Checklist
Guidelines when implementing automated smoke tests:
Test Area | Action | Outcome |
---|---|---|
Test Script Development | Write scripts for critical user paths | Scripts cover main features and workflows |
Environment Setup | Configure test environments for automation | Automation runs in production-like setup |
Execution Frequency | Schedule smoke tests on every build or deployment | Tests trigger automatically and reliably |
Reporting | Generate clear pass/fail reports | Results accessible to all stakeholders |
Maintenance | Update scripts with new features or fixes | Tests remain current and effective |
Integration with CI/CD | Integrate tests into pipeline | Build pipeline halts on smoke test failure |
How to Use These Checklists
Customize per Project: Modify checklist items to fit your application’s specific features.
Collaborate: Have BA, PO, QA, and Devs review and agree on smoke test criteria.
Keep it Concise: Focus on essential, high-impact features for quick checks.
Automate When Possible: Build automated smoke tests for repeatability and speed.
Review and Update: As your product evolves, revisit the checklist to stay aligned.