No one would debate the value of software quality assurance (QA). It’s an essential part of the software development lifecycle aimed at ensuring products are fit for purpose and perform as expected.
Despite its importance and the decades of QA experience behind us as an industry, software QA can still pose significant challenges for organizations attempting to execute it effectively. From crafting complex test environments to shifting documentation to coping with tight deadlines and talent shortages, software QA professionals are often behind the eight ball before testing even begins.
It’s crucial that organizations think creatively and use recent innovations to address the challenges head-on and to ensure their software is released on time and on specification.
Here are some of the recent trends the TestMonitor team is seeing shape the future of software QA, helping you effectively overcome the challenges of today.
Diverse Products, Common Software QA Challenges
Regardless of whether the software is a simple mobile application or a complex enterprise system, a few quality assurance challenges are common across the software development industry.
Some of the most acute challenges that QA professionals face today include:
- Lack of resources: Not having the right amount or type of support, tools, and infrastructure can lead to delays or missed bugs, which can then lead to additional project costs or missed revenue.
- Missing documentation: If teams lack a centralized repository to consistently store documentation, they can experience misunderstandings and inconsistencies in the QA process.
- Diverse testing environments: Without the ability to test software products across various hardware, software, and network configurations, product coverage could be limited or software could be released that does not work as intended.
- Poor communication: Collaboration barriers between developers, testers, and other stakeholders can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, missing details, and quality issues.
- Tight deadlines: Time pressures can lead QA teams to cut corners or rush through key tests, which can compromise the quality of the software product.
- Last-minute requirement changes: Changes can significantly affect the QA process by causing delays to development, test preparation, traceability, and even required rework.
6 Software QA Innovations Helping Testers Do More with Less
Let’s dig into details when it comes to six innovations in the software space that are empowering QA teams to perform better, faster, and more efficiently.
1. AI and Machine Learning
Using AI and machine learning (ML) can significantly improve test coverage. When AI and ML learn the code base and generate automated tests, it reduces the time and effort required for manual testing. Additionally, AI can help quickly detect and diagnose errors, improving the overall quality of the software product.
2. Automated Testing
Automated testing has several advantages, including reducing costs and manual errors while improving testing speed, reliability, and consistency. Automating testing can also mitigate the skilled technology worker shortage, allowing organizations to increase testing capabilities and improve the quality of their software products.
3. Cloud-Based Testing
Cloud-based testing provides several benefits, including virtual access to applications or systems, which allows for more agile testing with faster feedback cycles and testing multiple versions at the same time. In addition, it provides testers with the flexibility to test from any location and device, making it an ideal solution for remote teams.
4. Mobile App Testing Approaches
The mobile app market is rapidly growing, so it’s crucial for developers to test functionality, usability, and performance across multiple devices and operating systems. Both manual and automated testing processes can be used to ensure that the app works seamlessly across all platforms, improving user experience and reducing the likelihood of negative reviews.
5. Security Testing
With cyberattacks on the rise, security testing has become essential for organizations to identify and resolve vulnerabilities before deployment. By implementing robust security testing measures, businesses can safeguard their software products and protect their customers' data from potential breaches.
6. Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing involves actively exploring the software product to identify and uncover any defects or issues that may not be apparent through other testing methods. By combining exploratory testing with other testing approaches, businesses can improve the overall quality of their software products, leading to better user experience and customer satisfaction.
The Future of Software QA Is Here
Just as the expectations for software quality, delivery timeframes, and performance are constantly evolving, so are the tools that software QA professionals can use to address the various challenges that they confront on every engagement. From AI and ML to automated testing, cloud-based testing, and innovations in mobile app testing, organizations can shape the future of their software QA and enable improved user experiences, customer satisfaction, and increased revenue.
Want to learn more about how your organization can take its software QA to the next level? Then make sure to check out TestMonitor’s comprehensive resource, QA Testing: A Helpful Guide for Software QA Professionals.
