Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 16 | Page 40

business ‘‘ TALKING //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// solely on manual testing, which leads to inadequate test coverage and poor software quality. To resolve this, robust automation frameworks should be set in place, to ensure quicker test cycles and the development community needs to be trained and invested in using and contributing to the framework. Quality assurance is not just the testers’ job. Though the adoption of test automation is imperative for increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and coverage of software testing, it is important to understand that test automation has an initial cost associated with it. Therefore, when implemented poorly, test automation can hurt project budgets without providing the expected benefits. Test automation must be thought out and therefore be implemented to increase the overall software efficiency that delivers better quality software, which can be released earlier with less effort, utilising fewer resources. Digital assurance platform Security With the recently implemented GDPR regulations that have come into play, the issues surrounding security for testing teams are more important than ever. Ensuring that customers’ assets and personal data is secured is a priority in many aspects of business – and it is no different when it comes to testing. Gordon Cullum, CTO at Mastek focus on optimising functional testing activities across channels. Digital enterprise customers benefit from an enriched end-user experience through reliable software testing and quality assurance services which are backed by innovative solutions – so businesses must ensure that the product or application is omnichannel and consistent throughout. 40 INTELLIGENTCIO Security testing should be appropriately prioritised to identify threats in the system while measuring any potential vulnerabilities. If done correctly, businesses will successfully reduce the risk of the system being exploited or damaged. Overall, businesses can rest assured that their systems are watertight and that company data and its integrity is protected, to reduce financial and reputational impact on the business. Automation Manual testing of new features along with regression testing of existing functionality is a tedious effort, which increases as new features are added at every iteration. Teams often struggle to align all test activities within short iterations by relying The testing service organisation must have a robust and comprehensive digital assurance platform. This platform will help with creating a digital assurance strategy. The strategy will provide the right tools, methodologies, reusable assets and measurement metrics to create a superior customer experience. Enterprises that embark on Digital Transformation programmes should align the adoption of digital technologies with a clear digital assurance strategy. For us, the role of test automation in Digital Transformation sets the winners apart from the losers. With enterprises embarking on Digital Transformation programmes, there is now an enormous pressure to release software faster to provide better, more efficient services. While deploying an effective software testing process is a prerequisite for developing software that’s fit for purpose and delivers on business objectives. If performed haphazardly, it can also jeopardise success. With the day of the standalone application all but gone, testing must increasingly cover end-to-end user journeys that cross traditional digital and physical boundaries. n www.intelligentcio.com