Why business leaders need to prioritise software testing

Anna McCowan, Software Marketing Manager at Keysight Technologies further explores.

In today’s competitive business landscape, businesses need to identify any outdated processes that are holding them back and look for transformative opportunities to scale, including software testing.  

Software testing is an essential part of the software development lifecycle. It ensures that applications are high quality, meet end-user requirements and are free from defects or bugs. New research from Forrester has shown there are benefits to modernising software testing processes. In addition, the research revealed that relying on in-house software testing tools can be a major limitation to business growth.  

Key opportunities for improvement  

Organisations continue to evaluate the pros and cons of software testing solutions. Forrester recently surveyed software testing decision-makers at global enterprises to understand their current software testing approach and how their approach will impact future business decisions. Of those surveyed, more than 70% of organisations used in-house solutions to some degree in their software testing workflow, but nearly half relied on in-house solutions entirely.  

While in-house solutions may seem cost-effective initially, they often fail to deliver on scalability promises and require more tools, leaving organisations to bridge the gaps with time-consuming integrations or expensive manual testing. 

To be successful with software testing and deliver high-quality products to customers, organisations need a solution that will allow them to scale adequately and affordably to meet current and future needs and requirements. Adopting a commercial testing solution can reduce time spent on manual testing, enable businesses to scale more quickly and reduce overall costs of testing. 

Reduce time spent on manual testing 

Companies that build their automation in-house report having three or more development tools or automation solutions in their technology stack. However, despite having multiple tools at their disposal, the majority of those organisations are still heavily dependent on manual testing.  

Because most homegrown automation is designed to test a specific use case, it requires manual intervention when any customisation is needed. As the number of devices, end users, and operating systems increases, more customisation is involved. 

In comparison, businesses that invest in commercial testing solutions need fewer development tools to meet their needs and spend less time and resources on manual testing. When organisations adopt solutions that allow them to automate the basics, they free up resources to work on to more advanced challenges, such as implementing additional tests to improve quality.  

Opportunity to scale more quickly  

Organisations typically rely on automation built in-house because it can be custom-built for a specific business need. However, most scripts built this way were not intended to last forever. As companies add more software to their technology stacks, the homegrown automation scripts cannot handle the increased complexity. Businesses need to prioritise a strong software testing foundation that can carry the business infrastructure, even as it evolves and grows.  

Teams that adopt commercial testing solutions can scale more quickly and accurately. The advanced capabilities of today’s testing solutions have made software testing much faster and more thorough. Image recognition and machine learning technologies can test with the same precision as a human tester, but much faster and in parallel.

 As the business grows and adds new products and features, test teams no longer have to start from scratch. These organisations can meet future requirements without overloading their test teams.

Reduce overall costs of testing 

Investing in software test automation is a strategic move that, when done right, can save dividends in the long run. Forrester found that business leaders who implement a commercial solution report reduced testing costs as one of the biggest business improvements their companies expected.  

According to the report: “While solutions built in-house may initially appear to be more cost-effective, they underdeliver on these promises as buyers realise the reality of hidden costs associated with their implementation and maintenance.” For example, businesses who use a commercial testing solution find fewer bugs in production compared to those who build their automation in-house.  

In addition, the number of hours spent performing manual testing is reduced with a more advanced testing tool. Embracing commercial solutions enables companies to keep costs down while delivering transformational benefits that meet the future needs of the business. 

The benefits go beyond the software test teams 

The advantages gained when investing in software testing are not just for the benefit of the software testing teams. Other departments in the organisation and, most importantly, the customers, also benefit. 

Non-technical testers benefit from low-code solutions 

Modern test automation is more intricate as it aims to include both technical and non-technical testers to work closely with developers and business analysts. Today’s commercial testing solutions enable testers to interact with the system and build workflows without needing traditional programming skills. In this way, having the right solution empowers non-technical users to create and execute test cases, reducing the burden on highly skilled QA professionals. 

Customer satisfaction goes hand in hand with better software testing 

The importance of software quality in ensuring customer satisfaction cannot be overstated. Delivering high-quality software has become a critical factor in maintaining a strong brand reputation and fostering customer loyalty. 

When software testing is deprioritised, companies risk releasing subpar software that can ultimately alienate their customer base. The benefits of meeting and exceeding customer expectations start with prioritising software testing.