What is Big Bang Integration Testing? Examples, Benefits and Drawback

Big Bang Integration Testing is a method of testing a system in which all of the software components are combined at once. This checking technique states that the integration procedure will not proceed until all the elements have been integrated.

Such a method helps the tester save time and effort while they are testing. To achieve the desired objectives and results, quality assurance professionals must document thoroughly the test scenarios and their outcomes. Otherwise, the entire integration testing process will fail. An example of the Big Bang testing workflow is shown below.

Workflow 1

Workflow explanation:

• For the system, modules A and D are tested individually.
• Module C is combined with module B and F is combined with module E in order to perform a group test.
• The first module is examined, followed by module B, then module C, and finally module F.
• The modules are examined for their functionality and compatibility with each other.
• The testing of modules and their integration into the system is complemented by the testing of the entire system for functionality.

Workflow 2

As shown in the diagram above, suppose that a system consists of six modules.  When a big bang integration happens, all six modules are connected at the same time. After that, the integration is tested to see if it works. In this approach, no individual integration testing is done, which increases the chances of critical failures.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Big Band Integration Testing

Big Bang software integration testing is a great way to test software because it gives us a fully functional software system or application before we start testing it. By performing comprehensive integration testing during the software development life cycle, testers will be able to achieve rapid results and conduct subsequent testing without difficulty. This testing technique prevents unnecessary effort and time from being wasted and makes the testing process cost-effective. Although this approach is remarkable, there are several drawbacks and advantages that should be considered before the testing process is executed.

Benefits:

• The complete system is tested with big bang integration testing.
• The amount of planning needed for this type of testing is almost nonexistent.
• The completion of all the components is essential for the commencement of integration testing.
• It does not need help from middle components, like stubs and drivers, which are needed for testing.
• It is cost-effective.
• The system does not require immediate development or maintenance efforts.

Drawbacks:

• When testing Big Bang integrations, it’s hard to figure out why the modules failed because they were added late.
• The task of integrating all the modules and components into a single unit is quite challenging and risky.
• If a bug is discovered, it may prove challenging to detach all relevant modules in order to investigate its underlying cause.
• There is a higher chance of failure since all the modules are tested together
• There is a high chance of missing some important defects, errors, and issues that might come up in the production environment.
• It’s hard to cover all the cases for integration testing without missing even one of them.
• The identification of defects or bugs during the testing process poses a challenge.
• The execution of the test scenarios and their outcomes can be hampered by the inaccuracy of the integration testing and hinder the efforts of both developers and testers in attaining their desired objectives.