QASymphony Survey: Test First Development Methodologies on the Rise

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - Jul 28, 2016) - QASymphony, the developer of the popular qTest test management platform and BDD plugin qTest Scenario for JIRA, has completed a survey of more than 200 software testers. The results were released today as part of QASymphony's first-ever "State of Test-First Methodologies" report. The survey was conducted online in February following QASymphony's webinar, Scaling Test-First for the Enterprise. A key finding from the survey was that Test-First methodologies -- though still in their infancy from a global adoption perspective -- have the potential to dramatically improve software release outcomes. Download the 2016 State of Test-First Methodology Report.

Test-First methodologies -- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) -- are built around the notion that moving testing further up in the development process can improve software quality. Supporting this claim, 48% of respondents to QASymphony's survey reported that increased software quality was the top benefit driving them to adopt a Test-First approach, followed by enhanced collaboration and requirements clarity (23%). Nevertheless, roadblocks to widespread Test-First adoption remain. Forty-four percent of survey respondents said their biggest fear about moving to a Test-First approach was forcing developers to contribute tests prior to completing code, and 19% said they were fearful about removing traditional testing checkpoints on the way to production.

Still, broader Test-First implementation seems imminent, as more companies emphasize software quality as a means of engaging customers and other end users. According to the QASymphony survey, 38% of respondents said they would shift to a Test-First approach this year, and another 25% of testing practitioners said it would happen within the next three years. Other significant findings from the QASymphony survey include:

• 55% of respondents said their testing process was Scrum/Kanban Requirements driven before transitioning to Test-First, while 21% said their approach was Iterative Requirements driven and 18% were Waterfall Requirements driven.
• 52% of respondents said that a developer and tester would be jointly responsible for automation test creation within their organizations. This represents a shift in thinking. Until recently, testers alone have mostly shouldered the testing burden.
• 51% of respondents said they have implemented Test-First methodologies already, including 37% in the past year. Another 6% were early adopters, adopting a Test-First approach more than three years ago.
• 42% of respondents said they learned about Test-First through online blogs or forums, while 25% said they heard about it through an agile coach or consultant.
• 33% of respondents said it took them less than three months to complete the transition to a Test-First approach, while 30% said it took less than one year.
• Among persons who have not yet implemented a Test-First approach, 16% of respondents said they'd choose Behavior Driven Development while an equal amount said they preferred Test Driven Development. Twelve percent said they'd choose Acceptance Test Driven Development, and 57% were uncertain.
  
  

"In analyzing the results of our survey, it seems clear that Test-First methods are really taking hold, even as companies experiment to find the best route forward for them," says Kevin Dunne, Vice President of Strategy at QASymphony. "When companies put testing at the front of the process, it provides the time and attention to quality that is often lacking in a traditional development process. For teams that are constantly squeezing test cycles in an effort to get software out the door on time, Test-First approaches might provide the change of pace needed to drive the high-quality releases they desire."

About QASymphony
QASymphony helps companies create better software by being the only provider of truly enterprise-level agile testing tools. With QASymphony's solutions, businesses have the visibility and control needed to ensure application quality in fast-paced development environments. Companies like IBM, Barclays, Salesforce, Office Depot and Verizon trust QASymphony to improve their teams' communication, productivity and collaboration. QASymphony is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, visit www.qasymphony.com.