Frankly, "coding error" is likely to be the PR department's words for explaining this embarrassing blunder, but the software testing experts within the IDM software team should be very worried about their job security. Their oversight is a function of human error that goes unchecked due to poor processes that do not offer the requisite level of scrutiny.
The cost of software testing failure is a widely debated topic. This number seems quite plausible given the uber-pervasive nature of tentacles of many large enterprise applications: Debate that figure all you want, but we can definitely agree on the fact that the cost of the brand damage done from such events far outweighs any direct losses incurred. That too, not just to the corporate brand, but also to reputations of otherwise intelligent and competent professionals. This is not the first time that banks have made such monumental blunders and if they keep relying on outdated software testing tools and practices, it won't be the last time either.
What causes this flaw in software testing projects?
There is no one characteristic of any software testing project that allows such big, hairy mammoths to slip through the cracks. Any good software testing project consists of the right balance of intelligent people, practical processes and performance-oriented products or testing tools.So let's break this down into the various components. As far as people are concerned, we know that the "shift left" or the introduction of faster development cycles through DevOps and Continuous Delivery is causing a lot of stress:
I have seen that over-burdened software testing teams increasingly pass on more responsibility to SMEs. Because this is often done implicitly so as not rock the boat, nobody in the process quite understands where the responsibility sits and what business rules have actually been validated. I imagine that this very situation came to fruition in this Commonwealth Bank example!
We have a very clear and streamlined process for engaging SMEs in a software testing project. Download our Software Testing Service Delivery Guide to view our process and the reasons behind it.
So what is the role of software testing tools in creating this mess?
Quite large, in fact. Software testing tools, play a crucial role in ensuring that:- Your software testing team is as productive as possible; and
- Streamlining the implementation of business rules and testing processes for compliance and effectiveness.
What systems do I need to implement in my software testing project?
Achieving a perfectly balanced confluence people, processes and software testing tools is no easy task. There is no silver bullet or fool-proof recipe for doing this. A specialist software testing services company can exploit their body of knowledge across multiple customers to help you design a bespoke software testing practice that is right for you.Our Software Testing Service Delivery Guide explains the methodology we use to run our testing projects. It may be a good start to gather your thoughts and some new ideas. Then you can take advantage of our free software quality strategy session where our consultants will give you personalised advice that will help you work through your specific challenges and hit your desired goals.
While there is never a "perfect solution," you can try to get as close as possible to that software testing oasis by asking the right questions before you make a decision.
How can test automation help?
Not at all, unless it is implemented correctly using a methodology that makes sense for your applications ecosystem. We find that model-based software testing, with its emphasis on data-driven testing and test automation is a system with which to cut testing time and find bugs before your users find them.We place a lot of faith in test automation because we know it works. We've been able to cut down testing time for a UK-based customer from 4 weeks to 36 hours, with greater coverage than the previous manual-only software testing could ever achieve. But we have achieved these results by putting in place other crucial elements of an effective software testing project. Download our best practice guide to software testing to conduct an audit of the high performance aspects of software testing that your projects are missing.
Irrespective of the software testing challenges you face, take advantage of our a free software quality strategy session to help set you on the right path to achieve your goals.
Or contact us on +61 8 8312 1287 or solutions[at]qsometech.com
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