The following excerpt by Forty8Fifty Labs’ Suma Daniel was included in the recently released QASymphony eBook, “The Future of Software Testing.” The free 20-page guide features interviews with 12 seasoned industry experts including Forty8Fifty Labs’ Suma Daniel answering critical questions including how software testers can prepare for ongoing transformation and how to embrace new testing changes. The eBook is available for download here.
When it comes to software testing, it’s time to take a new approach. Instead of thinking about if you’re role will be necessary, think about where you can insert yourself into the pipeline that you’re a part of. When you do that and get involved in the right way, developers will stop viewing testing as a blockade and start thinking of it as a help. This is important guidance as we progress into a more agile IT culture.
What’s in Store for the Future?
When I think about the future of software testing, I believe it’s all about highly analytical tools and frameworks. Big data testing, mobile testing, functional compatibility, performance, usability and security testing will all become increasingly important in a world driven by Agile and DevOps. Additionally, with the rise of cyberterror/ransomware, security and penetration testing are moving to the front of the DevOps/testing pipeline. Along the way, the tools used as well as the role
of testers will need to evolve too.
What Needs to be Avoided?
The trend that I think needs to be avoided is writing test cases late in the development cycle. Teams need better planning and execution during the development cycle to bring quality products to market in less time. As a result, the QA team should be involved early on to avoid making testing and security an afterthought.
What’s Driving Change?
In my experience, software testing has already changed dramatically due to an influx of tools on the market. These tools have a shorter learning curve and many of the top-tier offerings are open source and SaaS offerings that are eating into the on-premise market share.
What’s Needed to Succeed?
To succeed in the future, testers need to be willing to adapt and learn new technologies and embrace more fluid development cycles, such as DevOps. It’s also important for testers to know the market that their client or their employer is in because if they understand the risks that company faces, then they can better understand the competing products and where the challenges lie and can plan their testing accordingly.
Read more about future trends in software testing, including 5 tips for testers to prepare for the future in this QASymphony eBook, “The Future of Software Testing.”
