Like every other field, software testing and by extension quality assurance is evolving. As a software tester or quality assurance expert, the purview of your responsibility is fast shifting from just finding bugs to other closely related activities. For instance, quality assurance personnel may engage in analytics to discover the likes and dislikes of the end-users. With the result, they can go ahead to make suggestions as to the best UI/UX, next features to develop and so much more.
To do this, however, you must be up to speed with the trends in quality assurance. In this article, we will discuss some critical trends you should look out for in 2022. Meanwhile, you can learn the intricacies of these new technologies by joining a good online QA training.
Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
1. The incorporation of machine learning and artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a field set to permeate every facet of human endeavor and quality assurance is not an exemption. By definition, artificial intelligence is the technology of building systems that think like humans through learning from historical data and making inferences. QA analysts can use AI to analyze situations and proffer solutions based on how similar problems have been solved in the past. Some of the things a QA team can do with AI include:
- Using AI to make the process of creating test cases automated. The AI can automatically determine the kind of test cases that are appropriate for a set of requirements and perform them without any human intervention. This makes QA processes even faster.
- AI can also be used for rapid issue-finding. It works by allowing the machine learning algorithm to learn how issues have been found in the past and deploying it in new problems to find the issues. It traverses all the critical operations in the application and deciphers the most probable causes of issues even for future purposes.
- AI can process big data from a user’s past experiences and make production with incredible precision and accuracy. Doing this manually takes a lot of experience and sheer willpower. AI does this seamlessly, making issue detection and resolution comparatively early before any further damage is done.
2. Agile and DevOps
QA has a fine intersection with Agile workflows and DevOps. And in the coming years, QA processes would require a firm understanding of both activities. Agile systems focus on continuity, planning, and targeted results which closely aligns with the core value of a QA analyst.
DevOps on the other hand focuses on the software development life cycle to ensure every process is done properly. Having both systems functioning properly would lead to a more efficient software development life cycle and getting things done in the best possible time. This, in turn, would result in quality jobs and the fulfillment of all product requirements.
With a solid Agile and DevOps system, the organization would have a good CI/CD (continuous integration/ continuous delivery). What this implies is that there is continuous testing at all levels of development. Furthermore, the codes are also checked once again to spot issues and get them fixed quickly. This ensures that issues are found while still in the budding stage, which prevents a more catastrophic effect if it were allowed into production. In the end, the SDLC is faster and the quality of the job is assured.
As a quality assurance analyst, it is critical that you begin to apply CI/CD as it is a big trend for 2022.
3. Incorporating IoT Testing
IoT is an emerging technology that is fast gaining popularity. It involves the synchronizing of various devices to directly engage in back and forth communication without any human intervention. So the thermometer can send a signal to your MP3 to play a particular song when it’s a hot or cold day. The development of the 5G network would make IoT even more popular and this puts a duty on quality assurance analysts.
Since data fly around various devices, it is important to ensure that the systems are safe and secured through a rigorous testing procedure. This is called IoT testing. In IoT testing, the QA tester would pinpoint areas of a possible defect or negative factors that may compromise the quality of the product when interacting with other devices. As an IoT tester, here is a list of features you must ensure work without compromise.
- The product requirements.
- Product safety and privacy protection.
- Unhindered compatibility with other devices.
- Ease of use and low data usage.
These are key considerations. Data protection cannot also be overemphasized. The QA team would need to ensure there is no data leakage during data transmission and usage. This can only be achieved through an active development and testing work-frame.
4. Open-source testing
Open source products are widely used amongst developers and testers since it is free and accessible to all. Also, the source codes can be edited with a few clicks of the button. This places a greater need for QA testers to ensure that open-source tools are not compromised and are free of bugs.
Generally speaking, open-source tools are safe which is one reason they are popular. As a QA tester, you should be familiar with the use of open-source tools such as Selenium, JMeter, Robotium.
5. UI/UX Testing
UI/UX plays a key role in many applications. Get it right and watch customers drooling over your application. Get it wrong and you have failed on arrival. As a Quality Assurance expert, you should ensure that the UI/UX is top-notch. This means that the elements and buttons are attractive and work as they should. When there is an update on a product, the QA team should test that the buttons are still functioning properly and the new changes in the UI/UX would not adversely affect the consumer’s reception of the update.
Should you begin a journey in QA in preparation for 2022?
Without a doubt, there would be a new breed of software testers and QA analysts for 2022. The scope of Quality Assurance is fast expanding and this calls for new positions QA related roles
As a critical role in the SDLC, QA analysts would always be needed in every organization. Thus, you are assured of good demand in the job market when you become good at QA.
If you are looking to dive into tech, QA is one of the fields you can take interest in and learn it for good. Enrolling in a project-based online QA course could be the first step. You can also work with many other projects to hone your skills.
QA teams are paid fat cheeks due to the delicateness of their work. You can decide to become one if you put in the work and get guidance for a reputable QA online course.
