Continuous Testing 2.0 – Increasing Efficiency and Profit

The Internet has transformed dramatically since its introduction to organizations worldwide. From infrastructure and software to the browsers and websites, all have resulted in a major shift in how the development and testing process is executed. Moreover, user expectations have increased exceedingly and the ability to deliver go-to-market software has become a source of contention for organizations across all industry sectors.

To best meet business goals, the adoption of new software development lifecycle must be considered, as IT is integral to organizational success. In fact, the most important dimension within the CIO portfolio of work, according to a 2014 Deloitte CIO Survey, is the delivery of business outcomes through IT services (55 percent) followed by enhancing customer experience through technology (35 percent) and building a more agile IT delivery model (28 percent). 

What is needed now to keep up in this ever evolving, high-pressure environment is a continuous testing model that will help turn costly, tedious and complicated QA and testing lifecycles into time-efficient money-making processes.

Lower IT headcount means you save the big money for innovation

Did you know that out of an organization's total IT budget, 30 percent is allocated to staffing alone? At least that’s what IT professionals reported in an ESG 2014 IT Spending Intentions Survey. That’s a third of budget spent on what are already costly employees. To thrive in today’s economy, QA and testing teams are often made of highly skilled MBA-wielding engineers. And that’s hoping you can actually find one in the current competitive job market.

When all is said and done, you can bet your organization will spend a pretty penny or two just to have the right QA and testing team in place. But it makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s what’s needed to succeed, after all. 

Test automation projects are typically much more demanding than first thought. Not only does traditional automated testing require scripting expertise, but in-depth knowledge on the various platforms the product functions across. Another thing to consider is that once the test is executed, it must be done again, again and again. Daily repetitive test execution is required to really ensure your product is functioning correctly for end users. 

Now, what if we were to tell you there’s another way? What if I told you Joe or Sally the intern could create tests and execute them on the same level as a senior QA and testing team member? 

Manual handoffs between departments to perform and execute tests no longer work. The number of iterations demanded and the extremely short period of time required completing them means innovation falls to the wayside. 

Agility and continuity is key in this new environment. The best way to reach this goal is to invest in a tool that enables agile testing in the continuous delivery process, coupled with the ability to allow any team member – regardless of rank – to run an automated test. A tool that is so simple, all one has to do is test directly from the browser window. 

In effect, resources free up, efficiency increases and cost decreases, which then gives the go ahead for the development as well as QA and testing teams to focus on matters that truly utilize their talents. This will give you the opportunity to actually hone in on the type of team you want and them the power to create more innovative products, all helping your organization to stay ahead of the market curve.