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The optimization of Quality Assurance (QA) processes is one of the most important needs in the software construction process.
Efficient QA testing implies greater control in the activities, the minimization of waiting times and budgets, and, ultimately, a higher quality of the final product thanks to continuous improvement.
Taking into account the growing need for better use of software development environments, any improvement in QA tests can bring great benefits. In this context, there is a clear preference in the sector in favor of automation tools linked to Test Data Management.
Do you want to know what measures companies are taking to improve the efficiency of their QA? In this article, we are sharing the main keys that are already helping many businesses.
In the context of QA, the documentation processes must be especially careful and rigorous, aimed at building a formal communication channel that can be used in case of need.
In addition, communication in QA testing also implies interpersonal skills that facilitate fluidity and conflict resolution. When communication is efficient and fluid, all those involved are aware of the progress and challenges of the project. In this regard, it is often advisable to have a tool capable of centralizing information and communications that are accessible to the different teams linked to QA testing.
Automation means delegating manual, routine, or repetitive tasks to automatic technological systems. This not only saves time and increases productivity, but also avoids the human error often associated with this type of action.
In QA environments, there are many areas to automate. However, the area of data collection and management stands out as one of the most significant. Furthermore, 43% of the teams dedicated to QA testing say that data management in test environments is especially challenging (as published by PractiTest in its report on the QA sector in 2021).
TDM software tools for test data management thus appear as the crucial solution to optimize QA processes. It is an instrument that deals with collecting data and organizing it through totally secure and automated processes that comply with the legal requirements for development environments. However, its features go further in the area of QA optimization, as we describe throughout the article.
QA optimization involves tracking the results of each process.
In this sense, the measurement and control of the KPIs or performance indicators will be key; and this is a task that, once again, should be delegated to an automated tool.
TDM solutions also come into play here: the right tool will be able not only to generate accessible data but also to offer information about the process, facilitating the achievement of objectives.
A QA process only makes sense if it is capable of evaluating the project from different points of view and globally in search of potential errors. Optimization by the QA tester will also come hand in hand with having quality data. Again, the TDM software plays a key role here, as it will be able to provide relevant data for testing and mask it for legal use.
The motivation of all those involved in the QA testing process is essential to optimize activities and achieve results. This step is very much in line with the ability to communicate the priorities of the project and to foster continuous improvement processes.
We mentioned earlier in the text how a large number of professionals in the QA tester field mentioned difficulties in data management as a major obstacle in optimizing QA processes.
This is in line with the trends advanced by the World Quality Report, which already in 2017 assured that 47% of QA specialists identified Test Data Management and its automation as the tool that would revolutionize this sector.
Today, TDM software has become a must-use tool in processes focused on agility and achieving objectives efficiently and without wasting resources.
Tools like icaria TDM go beyond the simple generation and management of test data. Its functionalities include:
All these features translate into a series of benefits of TDM tools: times for processes are cut, achieving up to 5 times faster; the productivity of human teams is multiplied, which can focus on high-value tasks; and storage and testing costs are minimized.
The end result is higher-quality software through an incomparably more efficient QA process.Do you want to know more about TDM tools and how they can help your business to optimize QA work? At icaria we can help you: request a demo of icaria TDM for free and see first-hand the improvements it can introduce in your QA testing processes.
