Significant Changes in the QA World: Our Last Year Recap & Happy New Year!

We extend our sincere sentiments for a Fantastic and Healthy New Year to all our reliable readers!

The previous year brought numerous impressive achievements for STH – largely due to our supportive and enthusiastic readership.

I embarked on this blogging journey back in December 2006, with the aim of helping software testers, and as of today – 15 years later – we’re contributing valuable insight to thousands of professionals in Software Testing and Quality Assurance worldwide!

Snapshot of Noteworthy Happenings Last Year

Readership

We are sincerely grateful for the enthusiastic support from our readership, with more than 50,000 RSS subscribers, 68,000 Facebook fans, 7,900 Google+ followers, and exceeding 130,000 email subscribers. A big thank you to everyone!

STH Online Software Testing Course

This year, we introduced the ‘Software Testing (Basics + Advanced) + Automation Basics’ online course. Led by Swati Seela, the course received an overwhelming response. We take pride in our remarkable participants, and we’re exhilarated to see our alumni base (affectionately known as QA Gladiators) continuously expanding.

We value our interactions with our participants, whether it’s their positive reviews, certification announcements, job placements, their queries and challenges, or even their insightful feedback. We are confident that our QA Gladiators will meet the challenges and achieve brilliant success. Go, Gladiators! 🙂

Ebooks

We experienced a successful year in terms of releasing high-grade free and premium ebooks.

#1) Software Testing Career Package ebook:

We unveiled this premium ebook in February, delivering comprehensive guidance on performing Software Testing in various environments. It comprises 132+ pages enriched with practical examples and real-world scenarios, offering an easy grasp of varied software testing techniques.

#2) Freelance Software Testing Job Opportunities eBook: If you haven’t already, give it a go – it’s fantastic! We’re particularly proud of this publication, as it rapidly ascended to the #1 Bestseller spot in the Software Testing Category upon its release.

#3) Free ebooks: We unveiled versions 1 and 2 of the Manual Testing Help ebooks. Both shed valuable light on manual testing concepts, methodologies, and preparation for software testing interviews.

ISTQB Certification Study Package

Our premium bundle provides everything required for efficient preparation and successful accomplishment of the ISTQB certification. The study materials include ISTQB exam details and tips, eBooks, 1200 practice questions, and 400+ PREMIUM questions with solutions.

STH Articles

Articles contributed by the STH team and guest writers have set a fresh perspective for articulating QA concepts in an engaging and insightful manner.

Major Shifts in the QA World

Enough about us. Let’s briefly delve into the ever-changing landscape of QA – our home ground. 🙂

Originally, our plan was to present key points of changes in the QA world over the past year. But, given the vastness of the field, a year might seem insignificant, and changes might not be inherently noticeable.

Thus, we decided to summarize notable shifts that have occurred in the QA landscape over the previous decade.

What profound transformations have been observed in the QA landscape over the past decade?

#1) The Development of a Lighter QA Toolbox

Test/Defect Management tools historically required installation on local computers, servers, configured databases, and typically, a dedicated Admin for handling user additions – while significantly consuming local memory and network resources.

While these traditional tools still exist and thrive, newer, ‘lighter’ versions have emerged, which are widely appreciated. These contemporary tools require no installation, can be accessed through a URL, take minutes to set up, and often provide optional database and server hosting by the tool providers for a small fee. Moreover, these tools are system resource-friendly and don’t weigh heavily on the network – plus, they are budget-friendly. These factors make it an easy sell!

#2) Prioritizing Workforce Over Procedures

Those with experience in the field can confirm that the software development cycle has evolved from the conventional linear approach to more rapid, iterative frameworks like Agile.

Considering the speed of alterations in the business environment, where every minor change holds critical value and competition is fierce, there isn’t much room for rigid checks and processes. Present-day project development ethos believes that success largely hinges on curating an optimal team – one that can learn independently, prioritize agility, maintain efficiency, and assume responsibility.

Now more than ever, it’s crucial to excel and outperform competitors in our field.

#3) The Downfall of Extensive Documentation

Do you recall spending weeks or even a month meticulously preparing elaborate test case documents? Those days have considerably changed, as entire project releases now take only 2 to 5 weeks, leaving little time for detailed documentation.

Today, we opt for succinct test case descriptions that clarify what should be tested and how it should be done. This change is considered a blessing by some, while others might view it as a loss of richness. Regardless of the perspective, this alteration indeed marks a substantial change in our methodology.

#4) Enhanced Interoperability Among QA Tools

In the past, QA tools, though not antagonistic, operated in relative isolation. Tools of the same or complementary type failed to communicate or interact, resulting in disintegrated data spread across diverse platforms and teams.

Luckily, things have changed for the better. Tools like JIRA, Rally, and HP ALM have bridged the divide and now operate in a more integrated and cooperative manner. Nowadays, they collaborate and synchronize data, promoting better compatibility among varying tools. 🙂

#5) The Surge of Mobile Application Testing

In this modern era, where it seems that every web application has its corresponding mobile app, mobile application testing has experienced a remarkable surge in significance. Those who haven’t yet ventured into this domain might find it difficult to ignore, as mobile testing is rapidly gaining traction and broadening its reach.

While certain components of QA have morphed, others have remained steadfast: teamwork, positive demeanor, and a warm smile – these traits will always be appreciated.

In the forthcoming year, we hope the QA community will ascend to unparalleled heights, broaden their horizons, and expand their reach further than ever.

Here’s to wishing everyone a secure and wonderful new year!

Your Turn to Speak

We invite you to share your accomplishments and experiences from the past year, whether positive or negative. Furthermore, feel free to discuss any other transformations you’ve noticed in the QA landscape throughout the years.