What we understand from a closer look at the traditional automated software testing processes in an SDLC is the gap between the desired outcome and the actual outcome and the resources that went into it. According to Ciginiti, a primary reason for this gap was that organisations were still functioning according to the waterfall software development methodology. In this method, software testing is saved for last. After realising the importance of focusing on QA throughout the software development life cycle, Quality Engineering became the norm across enterprises. This process prioritises quality throughout the software development life cycle, from ideation.
Changing customer expectations, emerging technologies, and the steady adoption of automation are some other factors that caused quality assurance to shift to quality engineering. While quality assurance is essential to ensure the quality of the product remains consistent, quality engineering drives the development of a quality product throughout the process, right from the ideation step. As we progress into 2023, here are some trends enterprises must consider in the quality engineering industry.
a) Enhanced emphasis on benefits of automation:
Continuous integration/continuous delivery has been one of the highly discussed concepts in automation. It rightfully deserves the attention it gets, as CI/CD is one of the critical elements of an agile development process. As many organisations today adopt agile methods for continued release, there will be more emphasis on automating quality assurance processes. This could mean using automation tools that are designed for your needs.
b) Extensive incorporation of AI and machine learning:
AI and machine learning capabilities have been long integrated into automation to make it faster, safer, and more reliable. However, AI and machine learning-driven quality engineering will optimise and accelerate application quality and delivery speed in the coming years. In addition, it will also maintain a correct track of the KPIs and the metrics that need to be measured.
c) Rising utilisation of cloud-based tools and platforms:
The use of cloud-based platforms and technologies is nothing new in Quality Engineering. Some advantages of cloud-based tools and platforms are more flexibility and dependability, improved performance and efficiency, and reduced IT expenditures. Additionally, it enhances innovation, enabling businesses to shorten their time to market and integrate use cases for AI and machine learning into their plans.
d) Increasing significance of security and privacy:
Security and privacy issues are among the most significant challenges Quality Engineering faces daily. Are there ways for QE to prepare for and overcome it without compromising application health? As we progress into 2023, in addition to testing trends and emerging tech, security problems will also rise. With its dynamically evolving nature, countering cyber threats needs more than ‘preparedness’. From third-party risks to social engineering vulnerabilities, 2023 will make way for numerous cyber threats, which will be QE’s responsibility to anticipate and overcome.
e) Augmented emphasis on user experience:
User experience has been the focus of QE for a while now, and it will continue to be the centre of QE well into 2023. Organisations will delve deeper into understanding user experience and seek to develop intuitive and simple-to-use systems and products. Enterprises may conduct user research, usability testing, and user experience design procedures to ensure that the development satisfies customer needs.
f) Cost and time efficiency:
Hiring a high-quality engineering partner may be more affordable than developing an in-house team if your company doesn’t have a sizable engineering team or you need project-by-project QA support. Quality engineering can lower the cost of addressing faults later on by finding and fixing them early in the software development process.
Additionally, you also become time efficient by allowing the team to focus on their core strengths and delegating the testing and quality assurance work to a QE team. Outsourcing QE capabilities to professionals will finally increase in 2023.