What is Software Testing Advisory - Taking a Deep Dive

To implement digital transformation successfully, enterprises should leverage software testing advisory services to ensure testing is metrics-driven, efficient, follows Agile and DevOps, and looks at things from a fresh perspective.

With enterprises embarking on digital transformational journeys or makeovers by adopting state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, they have to countenance myriad forms of disruptions. The market and customers demand high-quality products and quick resolution of issues (if any), which can only be achieved through QA consulting. Enterprises, in order to remain competitive, may seek software testing advisory services. This is to ensure their value chain is streamlined, bottlenecks are removed, productivity improved, and efficiency enhanced. To deliver market-friendly products of top quality, enterprises need to operate at their peak efficiency levels. It is only by applying test advisory services that enterprises can acquire deep QA knowledge and transform their value chain effectively. So, let us first understand what software testing advisory is all about.

What is software testing advisory?

It is an advisory given by the test assessment services to enterprises that need to improve the quality of their processes, products, and services. The former do so by assessing the testing requirements of enterprises, streamlining their value chain, and proposing a quality roadmap for them. This is of utmost importance as achieving business growth by enterprises is directly proportional to their quality of products and services. To make everything fall into place enterprises need the right testing strategy, infrastructure, tools, and skillsets. The ATS consultants can build and implement innovative, distributive, secure, and adaptive testing infrastructure by leveraging new technologies. The focus of creating any test advisory framework is to address any evolving challenges – from competitors, shifting customer preferences, or emerging technologies/methodologies.

How software test advisory services help – an analysis?

• Evaluating processes with a fresh perspective: It is often the case that businesses are not aware of any shortcomings in their processes, which may lead to the development and delivery of substandard quality of products or services. This aspect is also a result of their strong belief about the infallibility of their processes or human resources. A third-party QA consulting company can assess the whole thing (SWOT analysis) from a fresh perspective, identify loopholes, and suggest measures to address them. And while doing so, they may not be overawed by the reputation or experience of the human resources running the processes.
• Establishing metrics-driven QA and test governance: QA is all about testing the code against expected outcomes based on some fixed parameters. It also involves the execution of test automation by writing test scripts and using variables. If the actual data for executing such tests are difficult to come by in real-time, then virtualization can be of help. The objective is to test and validate each set of code for as many variables as possible. It allows prompt identification of glitches, which manual testing cannot achieve.
• Implementation of Agile and DevOps: The inadequacies of the waterfall method of testing have led to the adoption of Agile and DevOps methodologies. However, most enterprises may not be in a position or have the wherewithal to implement these methodologies. This is where the test advisory services can suggest measures in terms of streamlining processes, building a quality culture, and responding to customer feedback, among others. The whole testing paraphernalia should ensure the products so delivered are updated continuously by following a CI/CD pipeline.
• Improving skill competencies, integrating tools, and enhancing operational efficiency: In the DevOps scheme of things of which quality engineering is an integral part, the skills of developers and testers often overlap. In other words, a developer should have the knowledge of testing and vice-versa. The combined skillset would offer insights into resources working for the twin disciplines (development and testing) and help them gain a better perspective about each other. The test transformation services would look into the skillsets of people manning the processes, suggest training needs and testing tools, and measures to optimize resources. By implementing such measures, enterprises can enhance their operational efficiencies thereby accelerating the time-to-market.
• Upholding business reputation and adhering to compliance requirements: Security has emerged as a serious concern for enterprises developing software products. The rising cases of cybercrimes and their impact on businesses and end-customers mean security should have a holistic rather than a piecemeal approach. The advisory services have a job at hand in guiding enterprises to strengthen security testing. The implementation of DevSecOps is the need of the hour wherein every employee within the organization understands the importance of adhering to security measures. In addition, enterprises should adhere to various compliance and regulatory requirements. These help to generate trust among end-customers besides dealing with any censure, penalties, or lawsuits should some breach takes place.

Conclusion

The changing dynamics of business means enterprises have to stay ahead of the competition curve. This can be done by improving productivity, quality of products/services, removing operational bottlenecks, responding to customer feedback, integrating technologies, and many more. To ensure these, engaging software testing advisory services can be of great help.

Oliver has been associated with Cigniti Technologies Ltd as an Associate Manager - Content Marketing, with over 10 years of industry experience as a Content Writer in Software Testing & Quality Assurance industry.