5 Essentials for QA to fit Perfectly into DevOps

DevOps, which is an amalgamation of Development and Operations where both the teams work in tandem, is a go-to choice for software development companies who are looking to code, build, test, and deploy software as a continuous process. The reason behind its popularity is it forms a fast-paced, results-oriented, and collaborative environment that encourages self-improvement and cross-skilling. DevOps instills agility that drives quick operational support and faster fixes in line with the stakeholders’ expectations. But above all, it ensures quick quality software development within tight deadlines.

QA as a part of DevOps

For a DevOps process to be effective, Quality Assurance Testing plays a vital role. Though we talk about Development and Operations only whenever we discuss DevOps, what binds them together through a collaborative thread to ensure a quality product gets built and delivered, is the QAT.

1. QA plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of the codes, testing, and deployment.

2. QA acts as a bridge between Development and Operations that is a continuous approach to ensure continuous development with quality.

3. QA helps detect bugs early during the DevOps process, thereby ensuring the quality of the software application.

4. Integration of QA with development and operations leads to an Agile outcome that enables the continuous development of software applications.

5. QA helps deliver the objectives of DevOps by consistently advancing the technology as per the market and also the consumer needs and demands.

What are the factors that can power the DevOps process from the QA perspective? Well, this is what we would be discussing today. Here are the five things that you must pay attention to for QA to adjust perfectly with the DevOps process-

1. Zero in on the Core Tenets of Testing

QA is centered around testing, and therefore good and experienced testing engineers should be included in the team. For the team to deliver the best, make sure they keep a good eye on the risk factors, possess critical testing thinking around the functional as well as the non-functional aspects of the application, and are focused towards the requirements of the agile testing quadrant. Have your attention shifted more towards the end-user experience tests by working closely with the user community.

2. Well-versed with the Tools and Frameworks

Although having the option to explore and try different things with the application are the prerequisites, what’s also needed is the testers’ skills or abilities to comprehend a specific development environment. This ensures the testing engineers are providing value right from the design stage and are directing the dev group on conceivable outcomes and limitations.

In addition to this, they need to be well-versed with the working environment, and in particular, the application’s performance in the real world. The team should also have a strong hold on automation and the required tools needed as it makes the DevOps cycle rigorous and fast-moving. It is important that the team’s expertise is tilted towards the tools, technologies, and frameworks. Address a few questions like- what should be their way to approach automation? Do they use open-sourced tools or licensed ones? Are the tools in place for the various phases of the software development life cycle for development, testing, and deployment. It is pivotal to have total transparency on the utilization of tools to avoid delays and hindrances at any stage of the SDLC.

3. Following Agile Testing Methodologies

DevOps is an agile synchronization of development, QA, and Operations. 

DevOps is synchronized nimbleness incorporating improvement, QA, and activities. Agile practice or methodology has now become a crucial aspect of software development or testing. So what you need to look at is would the QA team be able to ensure that the appropriate coverage is aligned to the related risks, adjusted to the right dangers, and can it accelerate the pace in the Agile/DevOps environment? Does the team or the involved members possess the experience of working in unique environments? Are they having the processes to integrate into cross-functional, distributed groups to ensure continuous integration, continuous development, continuous testing, and continuous deployment?

4. Relevant Industry Experience

Look for the industry experience of the testers, and make sure it is relevant. Having someone with relevant industry experience ensures that they are well aware of the user experiences and the likely impact on the business. This way they can anticipate the potential bottlenecks. The appropriate knowledge of the industry will not only help make the process efficient but the testers would also be able to prioritize testing as per the impact on the business level.

5. Team Culture

One of the things that would matter the most in DevOps is the culture of the QA team. The DevOps strategy requires the QA team to be on their toes always. They should be quick to adapt, be moral, and get along well with the development and operations team. They go about as a sync between the Dev and Ops groups and need to take the responsibility to keep the desired balance and run the process smoothly.

In a DevOps process, the synchronization of Dev, QAT, and Ops is essential for software to meet expectations and deliver business value. And in that process, the QA group is the one that acts as a bridge connecting both and ensures flawless transition of the software from development to deployment.

Summing Up

QA and DevOps are imperative for testing digital technologies and designing applications in environments that require continuous growth, development, and implementation.

Choosing the right QA service provider can benefit organizations to have the right balance between Software Testing, Development, and Operations.