You're struggling to get budget for regression testing. How can you make a compelling case to your manager?
You're in a tough spot: you understand the importance of regression testing, but your manager is hesitant to allocate the budget for it. Regression testing, for those a bit rusty on the term, involves re-running functional and non-functional tests to ensure that previously developed and tested software still performs after a change. If you're facing resistance, it's likely because regression testing can be seen as an added expense without immediate, tangible benefits. However, by reframing its value proposition, you can make a compelling case for the necessary investment.
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In my opinion, We can create a case summary or past examples and list down below pointers - Current State: Our current test suite now and its limits. Risks: What can go wrong without regression testing. Cost-Benefit: Testing costs versus fixing bugs later. Plan: Our testing strategy within the budget.
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From my perspective regression is most important part of the release. By performing regression we can get the double confirmation on the build that is proceeding for production environment. It is very necessary that we should not miss the areas which might get impacted due to the change introduced. But calculating the cost the regression can also be scoped to the critical areas & test suites would also be kept to the desired level. My honest opinion would be to keep the regression activity in any major or minor release.
Time is a precious commodity in software development, and regression testing can initially seem like it's eating into your schedule. However, you should emphasize that investing time in regression testing actually saves time in the long run. By catching errors early, you avoid the much more time-consuming process of fixing bugs in a live environment. This proactive approach can streamline your release cycles and reduce downtime, ultimately saving money.
Quality is non-negotiable in software development. Emphasize to your manager that regression testing is a cornerstone of quality assurance (QA). It ensures that new changes don't adversely affect existing functionalities, maintaining the integrity of your product. In a market where users quickly abandon software for the slightest inconvenience, maintaining high standards of quality is critical for customer retention and satisfaction.
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Quality assurance team are the gate keepers of the product. They would always be concerned about the changes that are proceeding to production area. Regression gets us the confidence that the new enhancements introduced are not impacting the existing ones. As nowadays the market are very much competitive even the slightest error may impact the product market as well as the customer. To be in such competitive situation management should not be hesitant for the regression cost which is actually gaining them the confidence.
In today's fast-paced tech landscape, continuous improvement is key. Point out that regression testing fits perfectly into the agile methodology and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices. It allows your team to make frequent, small changes without fear of unexpected consequences. This agility enables your organization to respond quickly to market demands and keep up with or surpass competitors.
Risk is inherent in any software project, but it's your job to minimize it wherever possible. Explain that regression testing is a vital tool for risk mitigation. It can detect when a new feature disrupts existing functionality, which could be catastrophic depending on the nature of the software and the severity of the disruption. By investing in regression testing, you're not only preserving the current state of the software but also ensuring a safer path for future development.
Finally, don't overlook the importance of stakeholder confidence. Regression testing demonstrates a commitment to product stability and user satisfaction, which can reassure investors, executives, and customers alike. By consistently delivering a reliable product, you foster trust and loyalty, which are invaluable commodities in any business. Make it clear that the budget for regression testing is an investment in the company's reputation and future success.
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