Digital quality assurance (QA) is proving to be a pivotal component in the development and deployment of new digital services; however, many businesses are undervaluing its significance. This oversight poses risks to customer satisfaction and corporate reputations, as highlighted by Rob Mason, the Chief Technology Officer at Applause. Speaking to Software Testing News UK, Mason warns that the pressures on QA teams are set to escalate dramatically in 2025, as companies strive to maintain a competitive edge.
The growing trend emphasises speed and innovation in app development, often at the expense of essential quality checks. Recent years have seen a shift in strategy, as businesses focus on releasing new features rapidly and being first to market. This prioritisation of novelty over usability, accessibility, and other critical factors has resulted in the launch of products with superficial allure that fail to provide genuine value to users. As Mason notes, "QA teams now face a pressure cooker" environment, with reduced resources allocated to testing an ever-increasing complexity of digital experiences. He predicts that unless organisations invest in the QA process, 2025 could witness tangible negative impacts on customer retention, revenue, and overall brand reputation.
The advent of Generative AI (Gen AI) has introduced further complications for QA teams. Unlike traditional software products, Gen AI can produce unpredictable, non-deterministic outcomes that challenge established testing methodologies. Mason emphasises that many QA professionals have not received adequate retraining to cope with these new complexities. Moreover, the potential for Gen AI to generate inaccurate or biased content raises serious concerns about reputational risks, alongside the risk of legal action resulting from significant missteps. Mason asserts that "in 2025, QA will be integral to Gen AI’s success," underscoring the importance of embedding QA into the early stages of product development to establish a solid foundation for high-quality outputs.
Additionally, the current state of QA teams is precarious, as they often face understaffing and restricted budgets. Mason points out that companies unwilling to recognise the strategic value of QA may unwittingly find themselves losing their most skilled professionals. QA teams must navigate a challenging scenario where insisting on high-quality products might conflict with business demands. Inadequate quality leads to customer dissatisfaction, potentially resulting in blame directed at QA professionals. To mitigate these risks and retain top talent in the sector, businesses must involve QA teams early in the development processes and actively seek their insights.
Mason further indicates that the most successful organisations are those that understand the strategic impact of QA on product roadmaps and customer loyalty. As the landscape of digital services continues to evolve, the emphasis on digital quality assurance is poised to shape the future of business practices profoundly, particularly as companies look to harness emerging technologies in a sustainable and effective manner.
Source: Noah Wire Services