Software testing is an ideal process for enterprises to achieve the right balance between innovation and reliability, says Sai Chintala
The ever-increasing reliance on technology and the seamless interactions between humans and smart devices of all types have pushed the need for faster response times, from seconds to micro milliseconds.
The extent of this dependence is clearly visible in the increasing number of online transactions in critical areas. A single click of a button now changes an individual or an organization’s fortune by millions of dollars and defines the credibility of an organization itself, not to forget the outcome of critical deployments in healthcare industry and scientific research. The threat of system malfunction looms ominously in the background as enterprises seem to be doing what it takes to reduce the “time to market” to safeguard their market share.
Being known as quality gatekeepers in the industry, independent software testing firms today are formulating testing services that serve as business assurance for customers across diverse verticals.
Gone are the days when software testing firms were required to educate enterprises on the need for understanding the importance of software testing. A look at the disasters caused due to inadequate testing is bound to reiterate the importance. Let us see what happens when systems crash.
There is the famous fiasco in which a substantial number of stakeholders lost over 500 million dollars during Facebook’s IPO, owing to a glitch on NASDAQ server. It was reported that the systems had technical glitch (which could have been uncovered, if testing was a little more comprehensive), that resulted in delays of confirmation of orders. The root causes of most of such disasters often leads to a lack of comprehensive testing. The alarming trend highlights the need for third party validation by “independent testing specialists”.
By such close encounters or distant observations, enterprises are now beginning to realize that even minute glitches in software could snowball into catastrophic and irreversible losses. The certainty or shall we say the uncertainty of production roll out is the major concern of the stakeholders including CXOs. Assurance is no more confined to a single release or a one-time test.
However, we have a long way to go before enterprises recognize the need for software testing early in the SDLC lifecycle and start leveraging independent testing throughout the SDLC phases.
A pragmatic viewpoint sheds light on two scenarios. One is the development and deployment of IT systems and applications, which integrate Software Testing right from the design stage. Another is robust testing of existing IT systems and applications with orientation to the emerging scenarios. In both the cases, testing has to be backed by even more rigorous frameworks that run along the product/application lifecycles.
It is thus evident that enterprises and organizations can be certain of their business outcome if they weave quality assurance strategy across the overall IT strategy. Early investment in software quality underpinned by a specialist partner for effective planning and diligent execution, is a sure shot for an assured business outcome with predictable results.
Any business or human activity thrives on the assurance that comes from having a system that mitigates risk. In a sense, software testing is the application of human intellect to make sure technology does not deviate from the programmed behavior. Thus, software testing is an ideal process for enterprises to achieve the right balance between innovation and reliability.
Software testing is the biggest enabler for business assurance and independent software testing companies are working to build a better future by helping build quality software.
Sai Chintala is SVP of Global Presales, Cigniti Technologies.