The Importance of Software Testing
Previously testing had been regarded as an intermediate stage that could be quickly rushed through before handing over a piece of software to the client. Software development agencies were not interested in devoting the resources to complete these processes thoroughly. Testing was simply a tick in the box.
The inevitable result of this policy was software that was incomplete, with functionality in massive variance to the clients’ actual needs, or both. In some cases the software delivered was totally unusable. Around 80-90% of software projects goes over budget or has to be cut short.
A number of high profile, publicly significant IT projects have massively overrun in cost or time, with inevitable damage to both the IT firm, client and development industry.
In some several cases, IT projects have had to be abandoned completely. The inadequacy of the testing regime has led to complete project failure. The consequences of these failures for the industry are huge: consultancies and development houses rely upon trust, reputation and proven project management excellence to win and retain business.
A strong and well-executed testing plan is not the silver bullet solution to a successful project. But few IT projects achieve the required outcome without it. Testing provides evidence whether an IT system will actually function as specified, be efficient to use, operate with minimum errors and demonstrate performance. It will identify whether an IT system is robust or whether it needs further work before it is rolled out. Testing will also reduce development costs by identifying errors early in the development cycle, where they can be corrected with a lower overall impact on the project.