Within any given organisation, technology plays a central role. Ever upgrading and evolving with the times, companies invest enormously into technology, with most businesses having a digital or online presence in some shape or form. Giving a boost to speed, accessibility and efficiency, firms fight to have the latest gear so that they can stay ahead of the curve.
Testing is a big part of this process, reporting technical bugs and conducting risk assessments. However, in 2015 experts branded parts of the process as bottle neck testing, caused by regressive cycles that limit shipments and capabilities. Consequently, we consider the operations of testing services to determine where they can improve.
- Strategic Testing
Rushing in to fix a problem can do more harm than good, and hurried testing may well leave errors undiscovered, unnoticed and even newly created in the process.
Instead, reviewing analytics and scheduling testing in advance enables a more productive and organised approach. If people are using a site for testing, shutting it down with notice before scheduling maintenance ensures that no users are caught up in the fray and lose data. Additionally, a calm and careful approach is also required, going over code with a fine-tooth combe to pluck out problems.
Ultimately, as companies have long called for testing of products too, the responsibilities are heavy enough that time, care and critical thinking are essential every step of the way.
- Development and Operations
Deploying code can be a slog, the cost of investigations high and the delivery delayed. Often, testers can feel as if they are playing one big game of catch up, and customers buried under rogue software.
However, development and operations, commonly abbreviated to DevOps, is a combined effort between People, Processes and Technology that simplifies the process of software testing. Not only this, but the procedure inspires a balance in the speed and costs of testing any new products, getting code into production 200 times faster. The tensions are also lessened, encouraging helpful teamwork in consistent monitoring.
Ultimately, the technology is stripped back to provide non-stop testing and delivery, providing a person-centric service.
- The Real-World Scenario
Testing can be limited by controlled conditions. The threats are superficial, the responses rehearsed, and in result little is learned while testing staff are unable to adapt on demand.
Of course, testing can be improved by presenting products to the market directly, garnering first hand feedback from the voluntary consumer base. Results are feedback as well as figures, enriching the assessment methods accordingly. The conditions of trial periods are vital, and must represent a realistic scenario as close as possible.
It’s not just wasted training, but wasted time and resources. After all, testing in a private booth doesn’t mean those results can be replicated out in the real world.
