Hello there! As an executive at a leading technology company, you make decisions daily that impact software development, release velocity, and digital experiences across channels. Testing sits at the heart of it all. Read on as I share, from over 10 years hands-on testing experience, what technology leaders must know to make informed choices around testing tools, techniques, and teams.
Why Testing Warrants Your Attention
Let me open with a telling statistic – Gartner states that by 2025, the percentage of revenue depending on digitized processes and technology capabilities will double across industries. Whether you develop software, rely on systems supporting e-commerce, leverage connected platforms in automotive, or enable smart decision making through analytics, technology now interlinks with all core functions.
This growing software dependence directly correlates to a heightened need for confidence via testing. Like the chassis and engine in a car, rigorously, repeatedly testing across the software stack safeguards the customer ride. Without exhaustively evaluating these digital systems through manual QA, test automation, visual testing, and more, you put revenue, reliability, and brand perception at risk.
Common Executive Overconfidence in Testing
Having guided software teams across testing techniques for over a decade, I commonly encounter knowledge gaps among leadership when prioritizing quality assurance. Let‘s cover a few prevalent areas of overconfidence:
The myth of full test automation – Many assume automated scripts eliminate the need for manual testing. Reality – test automation excels at regression but lacks contextual awareness. For example, a shopping cart checkout test in 2022 must recognize PayPal social login – unlikely for 2020 scripted flows. Test automation complements manual testing.
Test infrastructure as an afterthought – Once a minimum viable product takes shape, executives often then wonder "How do we test and validate this?". I cannot stress enough that after early prototype validations, dedicated test architectures, tools, and staff must follow to handle new features.
More testing types than you think – Beyond interface testing, robust QA incorporates API, load, security, localization, compliance, and accessibilty testing. A 2022 study saw companies utilizing 5+ testing types grow revenue 29% faster over 3 years. As you allocate resources, recognize multiple testing disciplines aid delivery.
Rigid over flexible – In fast-changing environments, relying on predefined rigid processes hurts testing velocity and adaptation. Scripted manual test cases, heavy documentation, and siloed tools cause drag. Prioritize integrations, cloud access, test data generators – maximize flexibility.
What Technology Leaders Oversee in Testing
While strategic guidance comes from the top, hands-on testing activities involve developers, test automation engineers, performance testers, and test managers. Here are inside insights on optimizing their testing effectiveness.
Sufficient documentation pre-testing – Before executing test cases, ensure requirements, user stories, specifications, and evaluation metrics are concrete. Clear documentation gives test engineers and reviewers enough context to map tests to needs.
Developers build safety nets too – Unit test coverage within main app branches enables continuous integration, fast feedback on changes, and progressive exposure of bugs. Mandate unit testing standards upfront.
Simplicity over convoluted setups – There is always the temptation to emulate intricate real-world environments. But complex test data setups and scripts require heavy maintenance. Cover all scenarios but under the KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) philosophy.
Fully leverage testing innovations – From AI-based test case generators to log analysis automation to real device clouds, keep updating testing tools. A 2022 Capgemini study shared companies doubling down on testing innovation see 55% improved release cycles.
Plan ahead – Demand a reasonable near-term roadmap from test managers on upcoming capability improvements around test data, assets, reporting, devices coverage, and more. This aligns testing priorities to delivery needs.
Key Considerations for Executives
Strategically Address Testing Gaps
For all the business processes under your purview, evaluate current testing maturity, coverage gaps, and bottlenecks to velocity. What test environments better emulate real-world complexity? What testing types need beefing up? Guide technical leaders to address these through your CXO lens.
Instill a Culture of Quality
Like leaders focused on privacy or sustainability, quality-conscious execs demonstrate commitment to robust software across decisions. Incorporate production incident reviews, fund innovation, gauge end-user sentiment – spotlight how quality underlies all digital offerings.
Take a Platform Approach
An ecosystem of disparate testing tools creates integration and reporting complexity. Standardize on an enterprise test platform providing automated and manual testing, multiple user testing, seamless CI/CD integration, and unified visual reporting.
Prioritize Real Device Testing
While simulators and emulators serve prototyping needs, exhaustive validation requires real mobile devices, tablets, laptops across OS versions. Invest early in extensive real device lab access through local grids or economical cloud solutions.
Key Takeaways for CXOs
To summarize, given technology permeates all modern organizations, business success hinges on software quality and confidence achieved through methodical testing. Executives must recognize growing software dependence across offerings and allocate resources to match testing needs.
From unit testing to end-to-end UI validation, specialized performance or compliance checks, testing happens iteratively, continuously. As technology leaders implement testing, ensure they start right with documentation, leverage innovation, and think long-term evolution.
Collaborative executive guidance coupled with accountable quality execution by technical teams breeds a culture of quality that reliably delivers superb digital experiences. I hope walking through some inside viewpoints on efficient testing helps bridge any executive-level knowledge gaps. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
