How can Performance Testing lead to business excellence

Performance Testing

The digital world is driven by myriad software applications that run on both modern and legacy systems and are backed by a plethora of platforms, frameworks, operating systems, and networks. And unless these applications perform to their optimal levels with all features and functionalities working in tandem, the stated business objectives will not be achieved. Each software application can have built-in glitches, which, if not dealt with earnestly during performance testing (and other types of testing,) can render the application to suffer from inadequacies. Since the functioning of the digital environment is underpinned on achieving customer satisfaction, the inadequacies can impact the business negatively. Moreover, the advent of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, and Cloud Computing has added to the complexities of building and operating software applications. And if the growing incidences of cyber securities issues are taken into account, then the cocktail of complexities becomes even more stark.

To address the technological challenges that software applications have to grapple with, they need to undergo performance testing. It ensures software robustness, operational readiness, and error handling capacity. The test can come in handy during business critical situations when glitches or the lack of error handling capacity of the software can make things to go haywire. For example, airlines reservation systems should account for an extra rush of passengers during holidays. And unless the systems go through the process of application performance testing, they can lead to latency or downtime when subjected to stress. Also, eCommerce sites experience loads during events such as Black Friday, Thanksgiving etc., which can lead to issues such as shopping cart abandonment, poor conversion rates, and a decreased order value. These factors combinedly can bring down the value proposition of the brand in the eyes of customers. However, all such outcomes can be prevented should the software applications and the hardware running them are validated for quality by the performance testing services.

Repercussions of not carrying out performance testing

Software applications can function seamlessly in normal operational conditions. However, the moment they are subjected to stress, they can behave erratically or erroneously. It is only by adopting a proper performance testing methodology that such behaviour can be pre-empted. Let us understand the repercussions of not executing performance testing.

• The application may fail during peak times leading to customer dissatisfaction.
• Any rework later can be challenging, time consuming, and costly.
• Should the software go LIVE without the users getting any prior hands-on experience, there can be problems in handling performance issues that may crop up in the actual operating environment.
• Check if the features and functionalities of software deliver outcomes that are expected.

Applying performance engineering

In the DevOps scheme of ensuring Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD,) the focus is on identifying and eliminating glitches in the initial stages of software development. This calls for incorporating performance engineering, wherein each segment of the software is designed to achieve operational excellence. This leads to the quick delivery of efficient and responsive systems that enhance productivity, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and boost revenue.

Suitable performance testing strategy for your business

Get information on the type and quantum of load: First and foremost, it is crucial to understand the kind of load the system is going to expect. This will help you to figure out the kind of response time needed to handle the load. Thus, run tests when the load is significantly high to evaluate the response time. To enable the same, use an appropriate test automation tool to create any number of virtual users to mimic the real load across channels, branches, and geographies. While executing the test, record the minimum, maximum, and average response time of the system.

Carry out stress test: By executing a stress test, you can figure out the behaviour of software when subjected to extreme stress conditions. This way, the breaking point of software can be ascertained.

Elasticity and scalability: The testing includes understanding whether the performance of the software is on expected lines and can be scaled up to the desired level should the need arise.

Conclusion

In an increasingly digitized environment where business outcomes hinge on achieving customer satisfaction, the performance of software applications becomes paramount. By chalking out a suitable performance testing strategy, both the customers and business deliverables can be handled effectively.

Diya works for Cigniti Technologies, which is the world’s first Independent Software Testing Company to be appraised at CMMI-SVC v1.3, Maturity Level 5, and is also ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2013 certified.

Factors determining the Digital Transformation Test Strategy – Any 7

Digital Transformation Services

Digital transformation implies connecting each and every system and processes of an enterprise to achieve a slew of outcomes including quicker decision making. This has come about as a result of increased internet connectivity and a proliferation of digital technologies. Digital transformation has spawned many new age companies that are agile, lean, focused and result oriented. To compete with such newbies, enterprises saddled with legacy systems and used to the traditional ways of doing things need to transform themselves.

                   

Although Digital transformation services aim at reorienting the systems, processes, and stakeholders in an organization, they are prone to risks as well. These risks can be manifold – from having vulnerabilities in systems, processes, networks, and products to dealing with untrained resources. Moreover, since digital transformation services aim at accelerating the time to market as far as the products and services are concerned, quality is often given a short shrift. This often leads to the failure of products in meeting customers’ expectations. When enterprise digital transformation initiatives do not yield the stated business objectives, the need for digital quality assurance becomes critical.

Why digital quality assurance?

• To identify and eliminate glitches present in the systems, processes, networks, products and services.

• To meet the rising customer expectations for better quality products/services.

• To stay in competition by delivering quality products/services with reduced lead times.

• To accelerate the time to market with better products by using Agile and DevOps methodologies. 

• To adhere to quality and security regulations.

• To prevent hackers from exploiting the systems, products or services.

• To ensure brand loyalty among customers. 

• To achieve business objectives and ROI.

A robust digital testing strategy requires incorporating the shift-left approach. This is mainly to pre-empt the creation of glitches by testing the product during the development phase itself. With Agile and DevOps paradigms becoming the benchmarks for a digital testing strategy, how can test automation stay behind? Digital QA through test automation helps businesses to future proof their systems, products or services. It does so by increasing the test coverage area and carrying out repetitive functional and non-functional testing seamlessly. 

7 factors influencing a digital transformation test strategy

#1 Security: Security is arguably the biggest factor influencing the digital software testing of products. It involves aspects like vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, risk assessment, and security auditing among others. Here, testers identify the weaknesses in a system or product by using an automated software. Also, a simulated attack is carried out a la penetration testing to check for potential vulnerabilities, which when removed, can prevent the system or product from external or internal hacking.

# 2 Cost: This can have two different connotations. On the one side, the cost incurred by the business when a product fails to live up to the users’ expectations is taken into account. While on the other hand, the cost of implementing manual/test automation is considered. In the case of choosing a test automation software, the need for an open source or licensed software is decided based on the overall cost and the type of tests to be carried out.

#3 Presence of legacy systems: Digital QA involves the testing of a software product across devices, networks, platforms, frameworks, browsers, and operating systems. This requires faster systems with the latest test software. However, if an enterprise is beset with legacy systems then the test strategy needs to be looked at afresh. This is done by considering the capability of such systems and the cost of replacing the same.

#4 Reliability: The software systems that enable digital transformation should be tested to know the extent to which certain functions of these can perform on a continuous basis. This includes feature testing, load testing and regression testing.

#5 Scalability: The changing dynamics of business requires an enterprise to be flexible. The flexibility should be in terms of expanding the capacity of its systems and processes to meet any future demand. The test strategy chosen should check the scalability aspect of the systems.

#6 Interoperability: An enterprise will have a number of software programs running its digital transformation initiative. These programs should have a better interface with each other to achieve the overall business objectives. Hence, the test strategy should check the programs’ interoperability.

#7 Skillset: The success of a test strategy depends on the expertise of the test team. The test strategy should consider this aspect along with the need and cost of training.

Conclusion

The success of digital transformation initiatives by a business enterprise is critical for its sustenance. The systems enabling this transformation should be rigorously tested based on the factors mentioned above. 

This Article is originally published at Medium.com, 7 factors influencing your Digital Transformation Test strategy.

 

Key Reasons to consider Quality Engineering Services.

Quality Engineering Services

If the changing customer expectations are anything to go by then the way IT solutions are created and tested has undergone a paradigm shift. This is in addition to the business dynamics that has seen mergers and acquisitions, quick product rollouts, and technology changes such as mobility, big data & analytics, IoT, and artificial intelligence among others. The impact of such tectonic shifts – in customer expectations, business dynamics and technological changes - has redefined the role of development and testing teams.

Apparently, the task is cut out for the IT teams – either come out with quality applications in double quick time or just cool your heels and see customers lap up competing products or services. The demand to deploy quick applications for the consumers and provide an elaborate backup have transformed the Quality Assurance process. Currently, the shift has moved away from the traditional Quality Assurance to the new Quality Engineering Solutions.  

What is quality engineering?

The integration of IT related processes and workflows across devices, platforms, frameworks, networks, and organizations has meant that quality does not remain a standalone attribute. In fact, quality has embraced multiple dimensions that range across the end to end application lifecycle. With Agile and DevOps models being the new game changers, quality has moved from mere testing of applications post their development into a more comprehensive scheme of things.

Consequently, quality assurance services have given way to quality engineering services. The services encompass the design, development, management, administration and maintenance of IT systems to a high quality standard as mandated by international quality regulations.

Why is digital quality engineering important?

In the Agile and DevOps model of software development, testing and deployment, quality is optimized by making every stakeholder responsible. In other words, if the development and testing teams are entrusted with ensuring the application’s quality, the operations team needs to see the same runs properly throughout its lifecycle, and customer feedbacks are taken seriously. The main thrust of quality engineering services is to prevent the development of glitch ridden applications in the first place. This is in sharp contrast to the traditional QA model where the focus is more on identifying glitches.

The quality engineering strategy involves a robust collaboration between the developers and testers. The testers, on their part, build the testing framework and write the automated scripts at the beginning of the SDLC. The framework is maintained for the whole SDLC and is made an intrinsic part of all future development and test sprints. Digital quality engineering optimizes quality and brings speed in the SDLC. It is not only about executing functional or non-functional testing, but also ensuring that every sinew of the SDLC is validated. It brings about a change amongst the stakeholders, tools, and processes to collaborate and work towards a common goal – of delivering quality products.

Key reasons for considering quality engineering services

Move towards Shift-left testing: The increased use of technologies viz., AI/machine learning, IoT, predictive analysis and the adoption of social, cloud and mobile means a move towards shift-left testing. In the Agile and DevOps model, testing is more aligned with development through common sprints. Moreover, there is a need to create analytics driven QA, API testing, and execute performance engineering while focusing on continuous automation. A robust shift-left testing when integrated in the SDLC leads to better test outcomes.

Rapid deployment: When the demand is geared towards the rapid deployment of quality products, a software quality engineer instead of detecting glitches in successive iterations of a sprint should aim at preventing the glitches from becoming a part of the code. This requires optimizing the processes, tools, technologies and techniques in the SDLC.

Business value: The key to meet customer expectations is by creating an end to end value proposition for the product. This calls for adopting a number of desirable and feasible options to drive innovation. The innovation should enhance the customer experience. QE services help execute continuous automation and virtualization leading to a significant increase in the test coverage area.

Business goals: The main objective of building a quality application is to meet the business goals. This requires the processes to be designed and set up in accordance with the business goals. Thus, a software quality engineer comes handy for he or she is a part of the project management team that decides the processes, tools and techniques to be incorporated in the SDLC.

Conclusion

The requirement of quality products to meet the imperatives of digital transformation initiatives has led to incorporation of quality engineering as an enabler. It is a move towards eliminating quality issues at the beginning of the SDLC leading to customer delight.

This Article is originally published at Medium.com, Key reasons for considering Quality Engineering services.