Ramping up regression testing essential in DevOps environments
Automated regression testing is increasingly critical as businesses move to agile and DevOps methodologies. However, the added complexity of development projects in such operational settings can create complications within test processes. As a result, organizations often find themselves in a lose-lose situation when it comes to regression testing.
That doesn’t have to be the case. Strategic third-party services and advanced testing solutions can go a long way in simplifying and streamlining the app assessment process.
At its core, regression testing boils down to assessing how an application performs after it has been changed. This can mean:
- Assessing original code after a new integration has been built.
- Evaluating how a small update impacts performance during key workflows.
- Identifying if a patch introduces unexpected problems.
- Testing how adjustments made so the app can run on a specific operating system affect stability.
In a traditional development environment, regression testing typically comes up less frequently because software is only being updated periodically. In agile and DevOps settings, on the other hand, changes happen on a nearly constant basis, so regression testing is a constant companion of any development project.
While regression testing is essential, it can also become overly expensive and time-consuming. IT Pro reported that most technology experts believe organizations should do what they can to identify exactly what they need to do to keep up with basic regression testing needs and be sure to optimize processes to avoid any wasted time and money.
Preventing regression testing from holding back DevOps efforts
The need to be a stickler for efficiency in app testing is essential within DevOps teams, a sentiment that is echoed in a TechTarget report based on an interview with industry expert Gary Gruver. In the article, Gruver explained that DevOps success is heavily dependent on creating a quality feedback loop for developers. In a DevOps team, developers are asked to account for a wide range of considerations, including infrastructure issues, as they create code. However, they won’t necessarily know if the work they are doing is actually effective if they don’t get timely feedback.
According to the report, a poor feedback loop can become problematic because it can leave developers wasting time advancing code that doesn’t work well for one reason or another. With DevOps projects iterating so quickly, regression testing needs to keep up. Evaluating software quickly and efficiently plays an integral role in giving developers the feedback they need to advance projects in the most effective way possible.
On top of all this, DevOps success hinges on getting projects out to market extremely quickly to maximize value creation. Automating regression testing doesn’t just fuel quality improvements by giving developers feedback, it also ensures dev teams are getting the kind of timely feedback necessary to avoid letting problems escalate and ensure solutions can move into production as quickly as possible.
Ramping up the right suite of regression testing to improve the DevOps feedback loop
The need for better app testing is increasingly essential in today’s development climate, and the industry is evolving accordingly. At KMS Technology, we have a strong track record of helping companies build out the processes and capabilities they need to support a DevOps team. We offer solutions for test automation, can provide consulting services to help companies optimize processes and have a team of developers that can step in and help with projects. Contact us today if you are looking for help improving the testing feedback loop as part of your DevOps plans.
