Introduction
Unit testing is a critical aspect of software development that ensures code reliability, maintainability, and efficiency. While often considered a developer’s responsibility, product managers (PMs) can benefit from understanding unit testing fundamentals to improve collaboration, enhance product quality, and streamline the development process.
What is Unit Testing?
Unit testing involves testing individual components or functions of a software application in isolation. By verifying that each unit of code performs as expected, teams can detect and resolve issues early in the development lifecycle. Typically, unit tests are automated and executed frequently to maintain code integrity.
Why Product Managers Should Care About Unit Testing
Though unit testing is primarily a technical function, PMs should have a basic grasp of its significance. Here’s why:
- Improved Code Quality: Unit testing helps catch bugs early, reducing the risk of defects in production.
- Faster Development Cycles: Automated tests accelerate development by reducing the time spent on debugging and QA.
- Better Collaboration: Understanding unit testing enables PMs to facilitate better conversations with engineers and align on quality expectations.
- Reduced Technical Debt: Encouraging a test-driven approach helps maintain clean and maintainable code.
Key Concepts of Unit Testing
1. Test-Driven Development (TDD)
TDD is a methodology where developers write tests before writing the actual code. This practice ensures that each piece of code is created with testability in mind, leading to more robust software.
2. Mocking & Stubbing
Mocking involves creating simulated objects to mimic real dependencies in unit tests. This technique helps isolate the component under test, ensuring that external dependencies do not interfere with test results.
3. Code Coverage
Code coverage measures the percentage of code executed by unit tests. While high coverage is beneficial, quality matters more than quantity—focusing on critical components rather than achieving 100% coverage.
Best Practices for Unit Testing
- Write Small, Focused Tests: Each test should validate a single functionality to improve clarity and maintainability.
- Keep Tests Independent: Avoid dependencies between tests to ensure they run reliably in any order.
- Automate Testing: Integrate unit tests into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous validation.
- Maintain Readability: Write clear and well-documented tests to help teams understand their purpose.
How Product Managers Can Support Unit Testing
- Advocate for Testing in Development Planning: Encourage teams to allocate time for writing and maintaining tests.
- Align Testing Goals with Business Objectives: Ensure that critical features have adequate test coverage to minimize risks.
- Foster a Quality-Driven Culture: Promote the importance of testing in team discussions and retrospectives.
Conclusion
Unit testing is a powerful practice that enhances software reliability and efficiency. While product managers may not write tests themselves, understanding their role in the development process fosters collaboration and contributes to delivering high-quality products. By embracing unit testing principles, PMs can help bridge the gap between technical teams and business goals, ultimately driving better outcomes for users and stakeholders alike.
From the blog CS@Worcester – Nguyen Technique by Nguyen Vuong and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

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