The Road Ahead: 8 Trends in Software Testing for 2024
As the new year begins, it's natural to think about the future and make predictions. That's exactly what I'm going to do in this post, but I'll be focusing on the field of software testing and quality assurance. I'll discuss what trends and topics I think will become more prominent in 2024. Some of these ideas might be ones you're already expecting, but I hope to include a few surprises as well. Keep in mind, these are just my guesses – they're not set in stone. So, no pointing fingers at me at the end of the year if things turn out differently!
I'm curious about your thoughts too. What do you think will be the key trends in software testing and quality assurance in 2024? Share your predictions in the comments section!
AI and Machine Learning-Based Testing
One trend that stands out for 2024 is the focus on evaluating the quality of AI applications. Last year, we witnessed an increase in the development of AI, and this year we're set to concentrate more on testing these technologies. This includes thorough testing of machine learning applications, data science projects, and outputs from Large Language Models (LLMs). These areas are relatively new and filled with potential, making their quality assessment an essential and growing field.
The emphasis will likely be on innovative techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for enhancing the accuracy of AI-generated content, particularly in business-critical applications. Additionally, there's a growing trend towards customized enterprise generative AI models, tailored for specific business needs, offering more efficient, secure, and private solutions. As these areas continue to evolve, they represent a fertile ground for software testing professionals with many different tasks and techniques.
Test Operations (TestOps)
TestOps is a process that uses automation to centralize and streamline the planning, monitoring, and testing of software development. It aims to turn disjointed, siloed teams and processes into a well-oiled engine that allows producing better software, faster, and with fewer bugs.
It's all about leveraging automation to enhance the entire testing lifecycle - from planning to execution and monitoring. This process significantly reduces manual effort, enabling continuous and integrated testing at every development stage. The collaboration between developers, testers, and operations teams underpins TestOps, ensuring a unified focus on quality. Key features include the use of sophisticated tools for test management and automation, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to scale and adapt to different project needs. Essentially, TestOps extends DevOps practices to testing, ensuring a more holistic and efficient approach to software development and quality assurance.
Testing in Cloud Environments
The phrase "less is more" really applies to technology trends in 2024, especially with the rise of headless and serverless architectures. This year, we're seeing even traditional systems transitioning to cloud-based solutions. As a result, testing methodologies are also increasingly shifting to the cloud, reflecting this broader move towards more streamlined, efficient tech infrastructures.
Instead of relying on on-premises infrastructure, Cloud-based testing is a method of using cloud-based infrastructure, to run tests and test environments. By using cloud-based infrastructure, teams can be more cost-effective and scalable as they can access a wide array of testing tools and environments, and easily scale up and down the test environments as per the changing requirements.
However, cloud-based testing also comes with challenges such as concerns over data security and privacy, potential network latency, and possible unexpected costs if not managed correctly. Despite these issues, it remains a favored option for businesses seeking a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable testing solution.
IoT and Edge Testing
In today's increasingly connected world, the average person uses a variety of interconnected devices like smartwatches, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even smartglasses, like the ones released by Meta and Ray-Ban, which can stream vision to the internet. This growing network of devices underscores the importance of seamless interoperability among different technologies.
As the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing expand, testing strategies must adapt to the complexities of these systems. This includes challenges in network connectivity, handling diverse data types, and ensuring robust security.
Specifically, edge testing is becoming crucial. This form of software testing focuses on the edge devices in an IoT network, which are the physical units collecting and sending data to the cloud. Edge testing encompasses assessing the functionality, performance, and security of these devices, along with their communication capabilities with other devices and the cloud infrastructure. Given that edge devices are often exposed to harsh environments and are susceptible to cyber threats, edge testing is vital for maintaining the reliability and security of IoT networks.
User Experience (UX) Testing
The focus in software testing is increasingly turning towards user experience (UX). It's becoming clear that functional efficiency isn't enough; applications must also offer a seamless and intuitive user experience. This realization has led companies to value excellent UX/UI design alongside skilled development. As a result, thorough and effective UX testing is becoming crucial. Here, manual testing plays a vital role. Only human testers can truly judge if a product feels right to other humans, offering critical insights into usability and user satisfaction. For those passionate about manual testing, this shift presents an exciting opportunity.
Furthermore, as technology evolves, the complexity and sophistication of user interfaces grow, making UX testing even more critical. Incorporating elements like voice interaction, augmented reality, and personalized content requires testers to adopt a user-centric approach to ensure these features are accessible and enjoyable. In addition, with the rise of data-driven design, UX testing in 2024 will likely involve analyzing user behavior data to refine and improve the user experience continuously. This blend of qualitative insights from manual testing and quantitative data analysis will shape the future of UX testing, making it an integral part of the software development process.
Accessibility Testing
In 2024, the EU is set to introduce a regulation mandating that certain software applications meet the AA standard for accessibility. This is a significant move towards ensuring digital inclusivity. For a more in-depth understanding of this topic, you can refer to the detailed blog post I've previously published. LINK
Therefore, we'll see a rise in accessibility testing, which is crucial for ensuring software applications are usable by people with various disabilities, like visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. This type of testing is important not just for legal compliance but also for ethical business practices and reaching a wider audience. With digital platforms becoming more dominant, the demand for universally accessible software is growing. Companies will need to invest in specialized tools and training for effective accessibility testing. This comprehensive approach will not only help businesses meet regulations but also improve user satisfaction and loyalty.
Scriptless Test Automation
Yes, tools for scriptless test automation have indeed been around for some time, and they haven't matched the efficiency of traditional test automation methods. However, with the significant advancements in AI technologies we've seen recently, these tools are expected to improve. This means that testing processes could become faster and easier, thanks to the evolving capabilities of AI in the field of test automation.
No-code or low-code test automation is making testing accessible to non-developers. It enables non-technical stakeholders to participate in testing by planning, executing, and analyzing tests without the need for writing complex test code. This approach increases organizational productivity as it doesn't require developer hours, allowing non-technical members to contribute to tailored software solutions.
It eliminates the need for (certain) testers to write coded scripts. Testers use tools to create test cases by specifying testing steps, reducing their direct interaction with code. This minimizes bottlenecks in the QA process and speeds up the creation of test scripts. By removing the necessity for script development, scriptless test automation offers a simpler, more cost-effective way to automate testing. It's an appealing option for organizations aiming to enhance testing efficiency and expedite software delivery.
Virtual / Mixed Reality Testing
Apple released it’s Apple Vision Pro in 2023 and started the race for a new field. Virtual and mixed reality applications will inevitably increase this year and people need to test these things. We will see a lot of new fields for testing in this area
With the advent of technologies like Apple's Vision Pro, the importance of testing in virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) environments is set to escalate in 2024. As these technologies become more prevalent, the complexity of VR/MR applications also increases, necessitating rigorous testing protocols. Testing in VR/MR presents unique challenges, such as ensuring an immersive user experience, verifying 3D interactions, and addressing motion tracking accuracy. Moreover, the integration of VR/MR with other emerging technologies like AI and IoT adds layers of complexity to testing.
The rise of VR/MR applications also means testers need to focus on aspects like user safety, comfort, and accessibility. Ensuring that these applications are free from causing motion sickness or discomfort and are accessible to users with disabilities will be crucial. Additionally, as these applications find their way into various industries like education, healthcare, and entertainment, domain-specific testing will be required to meet industry standards and regulations. The growing VR/MR market thus opens up new career opportunities and demands for specialized testing skills, signifying a significant shift in the landscape of software testing.
Final Thoughts
The year 2024 is shaping up to be a very exciting one in the world of software testing, marked by significant shifts and innovations within the software development industry. This period of transformation is not just about embracing new technologies; it's an opportunity for learning and skill enhancement. While discussing the impact of AI in testing, a common question arises: will AI replace testers in 2024? Based on my experience in this field, I can confidently say that such a replacement is unlikely to happen soon. While new technologies and innovations make certain aspects of testing easier, they also open avenues for testing areas that were previously neglected or inadequately tested. Essentially, AI is enhancing the testing process rather than replacing the human element.
Another important change happening is the increased attention to security. This is because cyber threats, or attacks on computer systems, are becoming more common. Testers in 2024 will be tasked with not only ensuring functionality and user experience but also vigilantly guarding against potential security vulnerabilities, underlining the need for a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles.
In essence, 2024 is set to be a year of dynamic change and significant evolution in software testing, offering a lot of challenges and opportunities for professional growth and innovation. It will be interesting to track whether my predictions about software testing come true throughout the year or not. But don't worry, as each prediction unfolds (or spectacularly doesn't), I'll be right here to report it. Stay tuned and follow to see if I'm the Nostradamus of software testing or just another person adding noise to the online world!