Manual testing is the oldest and most rigorous type of software testing that requires a tester to perform manual test operations without automation help. It is a laborious process requiring patience and other qualities from testers. A manual tester would typically understand functionality, prepare a test environment, execute test cases manually, verify results, record pass/fail, summarize results in a report, publish the report, and record any new defects found. While manual testing is thorough, test automation has become necessary due to shorter deadlines, but manual testing remains crucial and cannot be completely substituted.

1. Manual testing is the oldest and most rigorous type of
software testing. Manual testing requires a tester to perform
manual test operations on the test software without the help
of Test automation. Manual testing is a laborious activity that
requires the tester to possess a certain set of qualities; to be
patient, observant, speculative, creative, innovative, openminded, resourceful, unopinionated, and skillful.
Steps for Manual Testing
A manual tester would typically perform the
following steps for manual testing:
1. Understand the functionality of program
2. Prepare a test environment
3. Execute test case(s) manually
4. Verify the actual result
5. Record the result as Pass or Fail
6. Make a summary report of the Pass and Fail test cases
7. Publish the report
8. Record any new defects uncovered during the test case
execution
There is no complete substitute for manual testing. Manual
testing is crucial for testing software applications more

2. thoroughly. Test automation has become a necessity mainly
due to shorter deadlines for performing test activities, such
as regression testing, performance testing, and load testing.
HOW TO USE:
Process evaluated in all segments of SDLC.
Execution of the can be done in conjunction with normal
system testing.
Instead of preparing, execution and entering actual test
transactions the clerical and supervisory personnel can
use the results of processing from application system.
To test people it requires testing the interface between
the people and application system.
WHEN TO USE:
Verification that manual systems function properly
should be conducted throughout the SDLC.
Should not be done at later stages of SDLC.
Best done at installation stage so that the clerical people
do not get used to the actual system just before system
goes to production.
Example:
Provide input personnel with the type of information
they would normally receive from their customers and
then have them transcribe that information and enter it
in the computer.
Users can be provided a series of test conditions and
then asked to respond to those conditions. Conducted in
this manner, manual support testing is like an
examination in which the users are asked to obtain the

3. answer from the procedures and manuals available to
them.
Usage:
It involves testing of all the functions performed by the
people while preparing the data and using these data
from automated system.