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Month: March 2023

Top Testing Trends in 2023

Posted on by siteowner

The recent attention brought to Google’s first demo of Bard reinforces the value of thorough testing prior to releasing products to the public.

Following the rocky start after the first demo resulted in a factual error, Google’s CEO sent a company-wide email calling on every employee to help shape and contribute to the product.  “Next week, we’ll be enlisting every Googler to help shape Bard and contribute through a special company-wide dogfood,” Pichai wrote in the email to employees, as per CNBC. “We’re looking forward to getting all of your feedback — in the spirit of an internal hackathon — more details coming soon,” he concluded.

This process, known as “dogfooding,” entails testing a product internally before releasing it to the public.

The post-pandemic world has undergone a significant shift from digitization towards digitalization.  Staying informed about industry developments is therefore paramount for both organizations and individuals to prevent errors from occurring as also to stay ahead of the curve. What worked in the pre-pandemic world may no longer be relevant, and there is no room for error in today’s digitalized world.

Testing Challenges

One question that naturally follows is: What impact has Digital Transformation had on the Automation field, and specifically on the challenges of software testing?

Despite the advancements brought about by Digital Transformation, the challenges of software testing have largely remained unchanged, with a few new ones added to the list.

These challenges are numerous, and some examples include:

  • Time constraints: Testing can be a time-consuming process and often compromised to meet project deadlines.
  • Resource allocation: Testing requires a variety of resources, including hardware, software, and personnel, and this can be a crunch.
  • Simulation: Setting up a testing environment that simulates real-world conditions can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex systems.
  • End-to-end coverage: Ensuring that all possible scenarios have been tested, especially in large and complex systems can be a Herculean task.
  • Automation: While automation can make testing more efficient, the automated tests need to be dynamic to align with the software that may be constantly changing.

The constantly changing planet of technology is swiftly altering the operations of organizations, affecting every stage of the development lifecycle, including planning, design, development, delivery, and operation. Quality at speed stays at the core of all.

To keep up the exceptional quality at speed, organizations must continuously revamp and innovate their tools and practices to meet production expectations. And there comes the hare footed software testing trends into picture.

Exponentially expanding complexity of systems and environments also trigger snowballing data.  All these lead to enduringly shifting software testing trends that will be the focus of this article.

In my opinion, the following list represents the top ten software testing trends that could emerge in 2023.

1. Hyper-Automation Testing

In simple words, hyper-automation is the active automation, performed using Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).

As technology disruption rushes through space, organizations are shifting towards Hyper-Automation targeting cost cutting, better productivity, and augmented efficiencies through automation. Moreover, Hyper-Automation aids in capitalizing on the data collected and generated by digitized processes.

In short, AI-powered testing tools can find bugs and defects more quickly and accurately than manual testing.

2. Shift left Testing

Imagine if the testers were called only at the end of the project lifecycle, it would be so strenuous for them. Errors and bugs in every functionality would be utterly difficult to trace and rectify. So, defects are less costly when detected early!

That said, don’t you think it would be an ideal use of your resource if they are used to their full potential?

The approach of software & system testing is performed earlier in the lifecycle, in fact in every step of the lifecycle. As the name says, testing shifts the project one step left on the timeline every time.

3. Automated Regression and Regression Optimization

The Automated regression testing technique is becoming mature over period. It is no more a ‘good to have’.  It has become the hygiene factor of any software development process. After any little or big change, the code or part of the application goes into regressive testing immediately.

The testing process is made remarkably effective with test scripts, plans, and workflow to speed up the process and make it more effective. These regression models involve the use of an optimization algorithm to find a set of coefficients for each input to the model that minimizes the prediction error.

4. Script less or Codeless Automation

Have you heard of the jargons no-code, codeless, and script less? Well, meaning the same, script less automation refers to the testing being done using tools and frameworks that require little-to-no code in a variety of ways.

In this testing technique, the software is tested on another software, comparing the actual outcomes with the predicted outcomes.

5. Cloud-based cross-browser Testing

Well, it is a no brainer that a cloud-based solution saves infrastructure set up and maintenance cost. And when it comes to Cloud-Based Cross Browser Testing, it is indeed the need of the hour. Today, when there is a planet of options while picking a device, making sure that your application runs swiftly in all the multifold devices, platforms, browser combinations, and everything under the sky is something where the challenge really begins.

Cloud-based cross-browser testing is therefore the ‘go to’ solution that provides the flexibility and scalability to quickly test applications on different platforms and devices.

6. Non-Functional Testing

Higher-end security & top-level performance is the first on everyone’s list. And, non-functional testing is what comes to my mind!

As the name speaks for itself, non-functional testing is software testing where you test the non-functional parameters. Now, these parameters can range from reliability to load test, performance, and accountability. So, this test essentially evaluates the behavior of the application/system.

7. Agile and DevOps

The Automation testing stream is expected to hit the milestone of USD 30 Billion by 2028. Bidding the same idea, agile development, and testing are making a standout presence these days. The enormous processing pace gives agile testing wide acceptance.

Agile Automation techniques aid organizations to stay ahead in the race with ever-changing business models and optimization of quality assurance automation tools and approaches.

Unlike the waterfall model, DevOps bridges the gap between Development and Operations, curtailing the software lifecycle. In short, Agile and DevOps assist in delivering software with quality and speed.

8. Blockchain Testing

Blockchain applications, unlike the traditional applications, are quite different. And so are the testing techniques.

The structure of blockchain involves several components such as blocks, mining, transactions, wallets, and so on, all of which require special tools to test. Therefore, Blockchain testing is the systematic evaluation of the blockchain’s various functional components.

This testing technique is used to test the security, functionality, and performance of the digital data structure.

By testing every entity of the blockchain, this technique confirms every operational and functional aspect of the network, thereby providing a secure and functional infrastructure with improved user experience.

9. Mobile Test Automation

A good starting point for someone just getting started. Mobile application (app) testing is the process of verifying whether an app designed for mobiles meets certain mobile testing requirements.

What are the types of tests that you can perform on mobile apps? A few of the tests that you can perform on mobile apps are performance testing, stress testing, functional testing, and accessibility testing.

10. Security Testing

 With the increasing number of cyber threats, security testing has become a critical aspect of software development. Organizations are implementing security testing at all stages of the development process to ensure that their applications are secure from attacks.

Final Words

So, that is a whole lot of automation testing trends that you can perform. And, surprisingly, the list does not end there. Yes! The list of testing trends keeps expanding as technology keeps maturing.

In conclusion, the testing landscape continues to evolve. The innovative technologies and methodologies prompt organizations to embrace the trends and position themselves to deliver high-quality software efficiently and effectively.

If you want to find out more about the testing trends & uncover insights to strategize your plans and deliver more reliable solutions, you can write to us at digital@infovision.com  

Driving Agile Success Through a Strong Product Mindset

Posted on by siteowner

Ever since the inception of the agile manifesto in early 2000, there has been widespread adoption of the agile methodology in every aspect of software development especially when it comes to large projects.  ‘Individuals and interactions over processes and tools’ is one of the four principles of this manifesto. This means that it is the people who drive the development process and they take precedence over processes and tools.  The implementation of this principle has resulted in the successful development of many products.

A Digital.ai report states that 94% of organizations are doing at least some work in agile and over half of them said that the majority or all of their teams have adopted agile. In addition, 89% of a survey’s respondents said that high-performing agile teams have people-centric values, clear culture, tools and leadership empowerment.

Interconnected concepts of Agile

The Agile product development process is based on three interlinked concepts – people, process and product (PPP). Agile is most commonly associated with processes, occasionally with people and seldom with products.  In today’s era of distributed teams, people work from various locations to develop and enhance a product or solution, together. Despite having good collaboration, sometimes,  team members lose sight of the bigger picture during the course of development. The team remains unaware of how the functionalities they build contribute to the greater value generated. This void is often encountered especially while working on big, long-term projects where disparate teams are involved.  How does one cross the chasm then?

Orienting oneself to a ‘product mindset’ is the medium that will help you traverse the path mainly because the focus then remains steadfast on the ultimate value that gets delivered.  To put it simply, a product mindset is an ‘outside in’ approach that pivots around delivering the best outcomes to the customers in whatever product we develop – be it a service or creating a solution.  Before we proceed, it’s important to note that in this article, when we refer to the “product development mindset,” we are not specifically discussing the process of developing a software product. Instead, this mindset applies to all aspects of a software development project and is relevant to everyone involved.

Incorporating a product mindset while working in agile teams becomes very advantageous as it conveys the bigger picture to all the parties involved. The results of the development process also improve tremendously if everyone has a clear vision of the project.

Agile product development relies on the principle of delivering frequently and incrementally and receiving feedback early in the product development lifecycle. This approach demands vertical slicing of the product in development. Vertical slicing is a technique used in agile software development that focuses on delivering an end-to-end working subset of the whole system.

Agile frameworks including Scrum, SAFe and LeSS are all built around the framework of vertical slicing.

Product vs Project Mindset

The agile approach to software development necessitates a mindset that prioritizes the end goals.  Although agile methodologies have been in use since the early 2000s, teams tend to have a stronger inclination towards a project-oriented way of thinking. As software development teams began embracing agile practices, it is observed that the product mindset has also grown among different teams in an organization. Shifting from a project to a product mindset is a gradual transition. As the agile methods in software development became more widely accepted, the level of product mindset has also increased across different teams in an organization.

A simple piece of functionality that is part of a bigger product becomes a task for a team. While following an agile development system, these tasks are further classified into features (broader perspective) and user stories (detailed level). Many a time, there is a conflict in understanding the difference between project and product, as the terms are widely used corporate jargon and frequently interchanged. However, these are quite distinctive from each other and they generate entirely contrasting ways of carrying out work.

What is a Project Mindset?

The term ‘project’ is often used in varying contexts within organizations. Its definition can vary widely, ranging from small development tasks to large-scale technology proposals. In fact, any small or big task that needs to be executed is commonly referred to as a project. In traditional non-agile environments, the process of product development is divided into smaller tasks and functionalities. These smaller tasks are often referred to as ‘projects’ even though they are part of a larger product.

Associating every single task to a project may help in tracking the progress of the development, but it creates a ‘project mindset’ in developers. A project mindset limits an individual’s creativity to time constraints and delivery goals, making them lose track of the overall vision. The level of creativity and curiosity takes a serious hit if every piece of work is done with a project mindset.

Product Mindset

A product mindset on the other hand encompasses a set of ideas and principles that enable visualization of how a specific functional output fits into the overall development of the product. This mindset can be cultivated only with a complete understanding of the larger picture.

The level of product mindset also varies according to the teams. For instance, a team that has limited exposure to only development will have a lower level of product mindset compared to a team with experience in development and testing. Similarly, a team that has experience in development, testing and maintenance processes will have the highest level of product mindset. Adopting a product mindset enables quicker realization of the overall vision, improving collaboration and delivery to a large extent.

Having a product mindset renders multiple advantages, including:

  • Improvement in quality and functionality of the product
  • A shared understanding and collaboration among teams
  • Enablement of an agile approach for delivery
  • Increased agility as the integrated system is built with product overview, reducing bottlenecks
  • Sparking new ideas and encouragement to innovation
  • Simplification of complex systems
  • Increase in customer-centric thinking
  • Increase in output and productivity

Varying Levels of Product Mindset

A team’s level of ‘product mindset’ is heavily influenced by their participation in the product development process. Generally, teams that contribute to the innovation stage or the minimum viable product (MVP) stage exhibit a stronger product mindset. The MVP stage is the most rudimentary version of a product that meets the minimum requirements while also allowing for future enhancements.

The levels of product mindset of individuals also vary based on their roles. Generally, those in positions such as product owners, product managers, and design experts tend to have a higher level of product mindset. However, the extent to which one adopts either a product or project mindset can also be influenced by their professional journey. Those who are familiar with traditional ways of working, such as the waterfall model, are more likely to have a stronger project mindset than a product mindset.

Although adopting a product mindset generally offers numerous advantages, there are circumstances, roles, or team members for whom it may not be as effective. Examples include:

  • Limited experience and exposure
  • Being accustomed to working on only small pieces of functionality
  • Having a project mindset, with a focus on completing tasks within a set time frame, rather than understanding the end objectives
  • Dependence on digital tools that increase productivity but stifle creativity
  • Lack of a complete system overview
  • Being overwhelmed with workload
  • Different work locations or product usage locations
  • Inadequate skillsets among team members

Developing a product mindset

The adoption of agile product development nurtures a product mindset. In this approach, product owners and managers prioritize faster delivery and quick feedback on epics, features and user stories. All the functions within agile development, when implemented effectively, result in developing a product mindset.

Nonetheless, various agile practices have proven to be especially effective in fostering a product mindset, such as:

  • Planning poker
  • System demo
  • Ceremonies with product owners and product managers
  • Backlog refinement
  • Test-driven development
  • Behaviour-driven development

One of the key enablers of agile product development is ’transparency’. If transparency levels aren’t adequately maintained amongst stakeholders, the ecosystem becomes rigid and impacts agility. By having a high level of product mindset among team members, it is possible to prevent such situations.

Cross-functional teams trained in agile development systems possess necessary skills to boost the level of product mindset and technical agility within the team.

Additionally, promoting a culture of continuous learning through hackathons and innovation events can further enhance the product mindset throughout the organization. Possessing a robust product mindset is essential for the agile product development process and for creating exceptional products.

Conclusion

Overall, a product mindset can enable organizations to be more agile, responsive, outcome-driven and customer-focused, leading to efficient project management and effective deliverables.

Significance of TPRM In enterprise risk maneuver

Posted on by siteowner

Enterprises continuously strive to engage in successful business partnerships with third-party companies and vendors to drive growth, expansion and also to speed up operations. This rapid growth strategy however exposes the company to growing risk of being breached by sometimes ‘unreliable third-party entities’. The continuous interactions and exchange of information that such arrangements entail open the possibility of potential data breaches thus putting the organization to great risk.  

One of the critical measures that enterprises must necessitate within themselves at a nascent level is to have stringent metrics while considering engaging with a third-party vendor. Organizations must prioritize an effective third party risk management framework aka TPRM framework to mitigate undue risks and excessive costs incurred due to untoward incidents. While the relationships are important and critical for the businesses to thrive, yet the associated factors such as cyber risks, loss of reputation or even regulatory mishaps need to be factored with utmost priority. The answer therefore lies not in limiting engagement with third parties, but in ensuring effective management of third-party risks so that business is conducted with utmost trust and confidence.

As per a study by Markets and Markets, the size of the global Third-Party Risk management (TPRM) market is expected to grow from USD 3.2 billion in 2019 to USD 6.4 billion by 2024. The CAGR growth rate is 15.9% higher in the forecasted period.  This is a clear indication that organizations dependent on third-party vendors are seriously considering the use of TPRM for their enterprises.

The purpose of this blog is to provide a foundational understanding of the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) realm and to emphasize the significance of selecting the right security expert to provide adequate measures.  Let us begin with the fundamentals to get a comprehensive grasp of the subject in discussion.

What is TPRM?

Third Party Risk Management, also abbreviated as TPRM, is an ongoing process of discovering, assessing, and controlling third-party risks related to organization’s data, their operations, financial information, or any type of confidential exchange.

Organizations collaborate with third-party vendors for two major reasons. The first is to support their business operations, and the second is to leverage additional benefits from these third-party vendors. This engagement massively contributes to reducing costs, focusing more on core business functions, and enabling best-in-class service from experts of relevant industries.

On the flipside, this kind of arrangement exposes organizations to unwanted data breaches along with cybersecurity & regulatory compliance risks that have the propensity to disrupt your business operations and damage reputation. Verifying third parties’ reliability requires due diligence.

Gartner’s prediction concurs with the above sentiment. By 2025, 60% of organizations will use cybersecurity risk as a significant determinant in conducting third-party transactions and business engagements.  This data insight is an eye opener to why one needs an TPRM program in the first place.

Now that the basis of the TPRM program is set, let us understand how a third-party risk management system works? What is the process and how does the typical workflow function?

Typical TPRM Workflow

To start with, organizations must identify all the vendors and begin categorizing them as per enterprise dependencies for sustainability and on the basis of critical business operations. Once you have identified the potential of the third party you want to associate with, start following these steps.

  1. Review contracts with complete due diligence.
  2. Identify the required people, process, and the technology controls to be adhered by the vendor.
  3. Perform a detailed third-party risk assessment (TPRA) to ensure that the underlying risks are mitigated and are within the acceptable risk levels.
  4. Ensure there is a remediation plan in place to timely mitigate vendor risks.

As an example, here is an illustration of a typical TPRM workflow we at InfoVision follow for our TPRM services:

Devising a Cyber Due Diligence Plan:  The  InfoVision Way

It is a daunting task for enterprises to find the best and the right security experts for their TPRM initiative. Other than the process of finding the right fit, there are additional challenges such as,

  • efficient fit-for-purpose process and procedures
  • identification and mapping of various regulatory compliance/controls with respect to available vendors, and
  • Automated TPRM programs

These are some of the major setbacks for security leaders. An effective TPRM program can improve overall visibility & results, easily validate, review third-party artifacts, take measures for potential risks and improve on efficiency.

InfoVision employs a distinctive strategy to strengthen its defense against potential hazards that may arise from third-party companies or vendors. This is achieved by thoroughly screening vendors through TPRA and selecting the appropriate ones. As the process progresses, all issues associated with third-party vendors are documented and evidence is collected. This evidence is then reviewed and analyzed, and a response is provided to the third-party provider, ensuring that they rectify the identified risks within the agreed-upon timeframe. The discrepancies are presented to our client’s leadership in the form of reports and dashboards utilizing automated GRC tools.

Here are the distinguishing factors and added benefits of our TPRM program.:

  1. Customed dashboards and various compliance reporting templates help our client CISOs to take better informed decisions.
  2. A dedicated security advocate to assist client vendors in redefining their people, process, and technology controls to improve their compliance and security posture.
  3. Our approach optimizes the use of security experts and promotes left shifting by employing GRC tools for automation purposes.
  4. We create and implement a tailored TPRM program process, procedures, and framework that aligns with the unique needs of our clients.

In this way, InfoVision helps its clients to accelerate their Vendor Risk Management programs, thus limiting human errors, ensuring timely risk identification, providing for scalability with no additional resources, and improved governance & compliance.

How can a TPRM program be a game changer?

As per KPMG, Six out of ten people (61%) think TPRM is undervalued given its crucial function for the organization. Businesses might sustain greater expenditures and gain new efficiencies when it comes to resilient operations, cyber security and fraud detection if they have a strong TPRM program rather than just focusing on its individual components.

Additionally, leveraging automation through third-party risk management frameworks and technologies is a viable alternative when looking for ways to advance third-party security.

InfoVision is proficient with a dedicated team of specialized Enterprise Cybersecurity & Risk Services (ECRS) practitioners and experts who can help you with a ‘fit-to-purpose’ for your business. We can help your security leadership teams manage the TPRM program and devise your overall security strategy. Our unique approach leverages a blend of technology, industry experience, security domain expertise and fine-tuned processes to help you conduct your business with trust and confidence.

Raise your queries and speak to our specialists by writing to us at info.ecrs@infovision.com.