Testing world | 9
Although surveys today
show that approximately
three quarters of software
development organisations
believe formal testing is
an essential investment
when deploying new
technology, more than
half admit that they
don't have a consistent
approach to testing.
There is clearly a greater
acceptance of the crucial
role testing plays in IT
development, but there is
still a lack of commitment
to the process, especially
when it comes to actual
investment. This lack
of consistency and
investment in testing and
quality assurance is still
costing organisations
dearly.
accelerated the automation trend that believe formal testing is an essential of automation tools, these benefits
had started in the mid-90s. investment when deploying new are magnified.
technology, more than half admit that The first generation of test
People, process and tools they don't have a consistent approach automation tools were hand-crafted
To satisfy the need for more rigorous to testing. There is clearly a greater frameworks and programs written by
and professional software testing, acceptance of the crucial role testing software developers. This is a common
IT professionals started outsourcing plays in IT development, but there approach even today for unit test.
testing to specialists. Consulting firms is still a lack of commitment to the It is less common for system-level
formed centres of excellence around process, especially when it comes regression testing.
software testing. At the same time, to to actual investment. This lack of Hand-crafted test tools were
provide enhanced test coverage, better consistency and investment in testing supplanted by the second generation
schedule adherence, improved quality and quality assurance is still costing of tools for regression test
and reduced costs, the software organisations dearly. automation, which provide scripting
industry embraced test automation. In the coming years we will see languages and infrastructure to make
The increase in off-shoring and further progression of the trend software test automation more
automation led to the realisation that toward investment in testing flexible, faster and easier. Although
to secure maximum ROI the necessary and test automation, and with this was a step forward, scripting is
structure and controls needed to be test management becoming ever time-consuming and requires much
established or these changes would more complex, this is already maintenance when software under
not realize their full potential. The driving the software industry test changes, but as long as the target
introduction of defined processes toward sophisticated software test software is reasonably stable, it is a
such as CMMI, TPI and TMMI brought organizations and tools, whether viable approach.
more structure and governance to the home-grown or outsourced. Second generation tools also offer
testing lifecycle. Formal qualifications ‘Record & Playback’ features which
from ISEB/ISTQB, around foundation, The evolution of enable recording of software usage,
intermediate and practitioner levels automation tools and automated playback of whatever
have also brought more respect to the Automation provides an opportunity the user did when recording. For
role that testing plays with the project to reduce cost, improve time software that does not change often,
life cycle. to market, stabilise schedule Record & Playback is a viable approach
Yet, although surveys today show predictability, improve software for GUI-driven regression testing.
that approximately three quarters of quality, and enhance employee job Second generation automation
software development organisations satisfaction. With each new generation tools, widely available from numerous
T.E.S.T | June 09 June 09 | T.E.S.T
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52