#software reliability testing

When the entire global digital landscape is underpinned on the reliability or performance of software, the role of software reliability testing becomes critical. In the metrics of gauging performance, reliability is often pegged above efficiency owing to the following reasons:

 ·         The lack of product reliability can be telling on the brand value of a company. This may lead the end-users to shy away from buying the software, thus impacting sales.

·         For critical systems like navigation control in an aircraft or an embedded software in a medical device, any system failure can have serious consequences.

·         An inefficient system can be improved by working on small sections of the program suite. However, an unreliable system can be difficult to improve as the glitches leading to such unreliability are not localized but distributed throughout the suite.

·         Inefficient systems can lead to delays and have their own sets of issues. However, the consequences of unreliable systems can be more telling on their immediate surroundings or the people handling them.

·         Inefficient programs can take a long time to execute. This may help programmers or users to find out the issues and remedy them. However, unreliable systems may not sound any alarm until it is too late. For example, a design flaw in an aircraft may not be visible during testing but can manifest itself in the form of a crash.

·         Executing each function fully at least once.

·         Reducing the interaction between functions.

·         Checking the new functionality for its quality and accuracy.

·         Identifying bugs that could get into the system after the new addition or modification.

 Since reliability is a critical factor when it comes to the execution of software, software reliability testing needs to be pursued in right earnest. However, let us first understand what software quality testing in terms of validating reliability is all about.

 What is software reliability testing?

 Reliability testing as a part of software quality assurance services ensures consistent performance and functioning of the software. This means the software should render fault-free performance in a given environment and time period. Importantly, the end-users tend to believe in the outcome of any software. They mostly have blind faith in the performance of software, which may lead to unforeseen consequences. For example, a glitch-prone banking software can be hacked into by cybercriminals with disastrous results. However, users do not brook such a possibility while using the software. Thus, software quality testing becomes the key to ensuring their trust.

 How to make your software failure-free courtesy software testing services?

 The reliability of software can be assured by executing a number of tests as detailed below:

 ·         Feature testing: This type of software testing services checks the features and functionality of the software. It tests if the application runs according to the expected outcomes. Also, it checks the interoperability of the software with other components and environments. The test comprises the following activities -

·         Regression testing: This type of testing is done when a new version of the software is added to the build. This validates the new version to be free of any glitches. The activities associated with this type of testing are as follows.

·         Load testing: This type of testing checks whether a particular functionality works to its optimum when subjected to the highest workload. The test ensures the software responds within a minimum time, say 5 seconds, to the user commands. If this test is not conducted, then the system can crash abruptly or suffer from latency. This can lead to frustrating user experiences and creating a negative impression of the brand.

·         Security testing: Given that a large number of software is dealing with sensitive personal and business information, security testing has become integral to reliability testing. It relates to identifying the vulnerabilities and preventing any unauthorized access. Also, the testing checks if the software complies with the industry accepted rules, standards, etc. This is more apparent with software that deals with banking and financial transactions.

  Conclusion

 The reliability of software is arguably the most important facet of any software application. Also, it is relatively costly than other forms of testing thus necessitating proper test management. As the complexity of software increases with each passing day, software quality engineering can play a key role in driving reliability. Reliability testing can go a long way in ensuring better user experiences and maintain the competitive edge of businesses.

In today’s competitive digital landscape where businesses want to grab the elusive pie of ‘customer satisfaction’, it is software reliability that ensures success. When customer centricity has become the core around which software is designed, developed, tested and delivered, companies have their tasks cut out. The need of the hour is to deliver an omni channel experience to the customers by designing software that is compelling, secure, and robust.

What does it take to make customers happy?

The digital transformation initiatives by businesses and entities have given convenience, communication and speed a whole new meaning. It is ultimately the software that lies at the core of such initiatives wherein complex tasks involving many touchpoints and variables are performed at the twinkle of an eye. In fact, software like Enterprise Resource Management and Customer Relationship Management have redefined how businesses are managed. Also, the advent of advanced technologies like AI, IoT and others has brought in automation, rendering a whole new experience to the business and end customer.

Customers, on their part, have got access to sundry software applications and device platforms to execute a range of activities in a jiffy. The activities include paying for utility services, booking cabs, seats in a restaurant or theatre, and making online purchases among others. Now, since the market is flush with a host of software belonging to every possible domain, customers have a problem of plenty. Given the changing market dynamics, the quest for businesses is to ensure software reliability. In other words, the software should display the following attributes for customers to take note of and possibly stay with.

Robustness: The software should be able to function on a range of devices, operating systems, browsers, and networks without any glitch.

Scalable: It is a subset of robustness wherein software should be able to function seamlessly even when the number of users at a given point of time increases. To ensure the same, the workflow of developing the software should be integrated with a robust software quality testing process, in the Agile-DevOps model.

Security: Arguably the biggest challenge for software quality assurance services is to ensure all vulnerabilities and gaps are duly plugged. Moreover, the security testing aspect should not be a onetime validation process but a continuous one throughout the SDLC. In fact, security should be developed into a culture to be followed across departments in an organization. Thus, if DevOps is about enhancing the quality of software during and beyond the SDLC, DevSecOps is also about incorporating security into the entire scheme of things. Since software stores critical business and personal information, customers should not get at the wrong end of the stick as far as security is concerned. The software testing services should conduct penetration testing exercise to identify and plug security related vulnerabilities.

Rich features: The software should be engaging enough for the customers to take notice. It should come with easy to use interfaces, attractive graphics, visible icons etc. For example, an eCommerce application should have an easy to view product catalog, rich images, and an easy checkout option. To ensure customer centricity, software quality assurance services should provide for the seamless functioning of every feature.

Easy loading: With an increase in mobile penetration and the availability of numerous applications, the attention span of customers has reduced considerably. Software developers and testers have to achieve a fine balance between reducing the size of an application for faster loading and enhancing its features to create the initial connect. In a digital landscape of reducing attention span, the use of software can only increase if it loads and operates fast.

How does the lack of software reliability testing impact a brand?

Should a software application fail in eliminating the glitches by not adhering to software quality testing, the consequences can be telling on the brand.

A bad customer experience can lead     customers to stop using the software. This can have a direct impact on the     ROI unless remedial measures are undertaken by updating its version.

A compromised software can lead to the     theft of critical business or customer data. This can leave customers     dissatisfied and angry leading to the filing of lawsuits.

Regulatory agencies can come down hard     on such brands by imposing stiff penalties.

Conclusion

As the imprint of software applications increases, businesses can gain customer approval only when the software stands firm on the crucible of reliability, security, user friendliness, and convenience. Unless customer centricity is made the focus of software development, brands will continue to do the catching up – for customer approbation.

Software Reliability Testing Training Crash Course 2019

Software reliability testing training course will cover proactive ways to use well-established systematic test planning and design techniques that generate value, not just busywork.

Preemptive software testing allows you to offer better software in shorter amount of time by employing more efficient testing, while also producing the value that affects conventional user, manager, and developer…