The Future of the Software Testing Industry

Looking to get the pulse of the software testing industry to get you in the mood for the German Testing Day 2023? 

Here is an interview around Quality Assurance, Testing Automation Services, and DevOps with one of the most knowledgeable voices in the field, Peter Gradnitzer. He is the head of Solutions of the Qualysoft Group and has been working in the field of test automation for over 15 years.  

It’s an easy read that offers a positive and invigorated look at the future of software testing. It answers questions about what QA people need to do to be part of the growth. Peter discusses the impact of AI and machine learning on testing, the rise of codeless automation testing, the trend towards shift-left testing, and the importance of agile methodologies in test automation. Additionally, he touches on the impact of AI technologies such as ChatGPT on quality assurance and how it will influence the need for more rigorous testing.

1. What drives changes in the future of Test Automation? 

Peter Gradnitzer: "The primary drivers for changes in test automation are advancements in technology and changes in the software development lifecycle and in the complexity of the enterprise systems. With the increasing adoption of Agile and DevOps practices, there is a need for faster and more efficient testing processes that can keep up with the pace of development. Additionally, advancements in AI and machine learning are enabling new forms of testing, such as intelligent test automation, that can improve test coverage and many more."

2. Will Codeless Automation Testing rise again? 

"Yes, codeless automation testing is expected to rise due to the growing demand for faster and more efficient testing processes. Codeless automation testing tools like Tricentis offer several advantages, including faster test creation and maintenance, reduced testing costs, and improved collaboration between testers and developers. Additionally, those tools are becoming more sophisticated, with improved support for complex test scenarios."

3. Do you believe in the Extensive use of Hyperautomation? 

"I believe that hyperautomation has the potential to transform the way we approach test automation. It combines robotic process automation (RPA) with AI and machine learning to create an intelligent automation framework that can automate repetitive tasks and streamline complex workflows. This approach can help organizations achieve greater efficiency and agility in their processes, while also reducing the risk of human errors."

4. Will enterprises lean towards Shift-Left Testing? 

"Yes, enterprises are increasingly leaning towards shift-left testing, which involves testing earlier in the development cycle. This approach can help identify and address defects earlier in the development process, reducing the cost and effort required to fix them."

5. Is Cloud-Based Cross-Browser Testing a Trend? 

"With the proliferation of different devices and platforms, cross-browser testing has become increasingly complex and time-consuming. Cloud-based testing solutions offer a scalable and cost-effective way to test across multiple browsers and devices, while also providing access to a range of testing environments and tools."

6. Do you believe in Mobile Automation Testing? 

"Mobile devices have become a primary platform for accessing digital services, and mobile apps are expected to function seamlessly across different devices and operating systems. Mobile automation testing can help and will help in the future to ensure that apps are reliable, secure, and user-friendly."

7. Will exploratory Testing become routine in the following years? 

"Exploratory testing is an iterative and collaborative approach to testing that involves exploring software to identify defects and areas for improvement. This approach can be particularly useful for testing complex systems and identifying edge cases that may not be covered by automated tests. Testers also gain deeper understanding of the software and provide valuable feedback to developers, UX guys and UI guys."

8. Will agile and Test Automation go hand-in-hand in 2023? 

"It is highly likely that agile and test automation will continue to go together in 2023. The agile methodology emphasizes collaboration and continuous delivery, which can be facilitated by test automation. Moreover, with the increasing adoption of DevOps practices, which combine agile methodologies with continuous delivery and deployment, the importance of test automation must be increased. It can help to ensure that software is delivered quickly and of high quality, which is a key goal of DevOps. Overall, it is safe to say that test automation will continue to play a critical role in the agile methodology and software development processes in 2023 and beyond."

9. How will AI like ChatGPT influence quality assurance? 

"AI technologies such as ChatGPT will have a significant impact on quality assurance in the future. AI-based tools can provide a range of benefits for testing. 

With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data, AI can provide greater test coverage, ensuring that software is thoroughly tested across all relevant scenarios and use cases. 

Overall, I believe that AI technologies will become an essential component of quality assurance in the future. By providing more accurate, efficient, and cost-effective testing solutions, these tools will help organizations improve the quality and reliability of their software products.

But the opposite will be that more quality assurance is needed because there will be a lot of apps, programs and so on which will rely on AI, therefore the test automation becomes even a greater impact because you have also to cover the side effects of the AI implementations into products."

The software testing landscape is continuously evolving, and there are many interesting trends and advancements to look forward to in 2023 and beyond. From codeless automation testing and hyper-automation to shift-left testing and cloud-based cross-browser testing, the focus is on faster and more efficient testing processes that can keep up with the pace of development. The increasing adoption of AI technologies like ChatGPT is also expected to have a significant impact on quality assurance, making rigorous testing more important than ever before.

As we look forward to the German Testing Day 2023, there is no doubt that test automation will continue to play a critical role in the software development lifecycle and QA professionals need to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies to be part of the growth.