The software testing industry is experiencing rapid transformation, driven by the accelerating pace of technological advancements and the growing demand for quality assurance. In 2024, organizations will need to navigate a complex array of testing challenges and emerging trends to ensure the delivery of high-performing, secure, and compliant software.
The Software Testing Market size was valued at USD 51.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 7% between 2024 and 2032, underscoring the critical role software testing plays in the modern digital landscape. This article will explore the essential software testing trends that organizations should be aware of in 2024
Top Software Testing Trends in 2024
1. Shift-Left Testing
Shift-left testing focuses on identifying issues and bugs early in the software development lifecycle, rather than at the end. The primary goal is to reduce time spent on debugging, allowing teams to concentrate more on enhancing features and functionality.
This approach aims to address the drawbacks of delayed testing, such as insufficient testing resources, overlooked design/architectural flaws, complex debugging, and project delays.
There are four main strategies used to shift testing to earlier stages:
- Model-based shift-left testing
- Traditional shift-left testing
- Incremental shift-left testing
- Agile/DevOps shift-left testing
2. Low Code/ No Code Platform
The demand for low-code testing platforms is projected to surge dramatically in 2024 as organizations seek more efficient ways to deliver high-quality software amidst increasing complexity. These platforms provide a simplified approach to software testing, allowing teams to automate testing with minimal coding requirements.
With the widespread adoption of Agile and DevOps methodologies, the need for rapid software development and deployment has become paramount. Low-code testing platforms are being embraced as a means to accelerate testing cycles while maintaining software reliability.
Furthermore, the worldwide shortage of experienced software testers has heightened the necessity for solutions that enable non-technical users to participate in and contribute to the testing process. Low-code platforms enable business analysts, domain experts, and even end-users to participate in testing activities, democratizing the testing process and fostering collaboration across diverse teams.
As organizations strive to achieve faster time-to-market without compromising quality, the accessibility and flexibility offered by low-code testing platforms are poised to make them essential tools in the software testing arsenal.
3. AI & Machine Learning (ML)
As the software industry’s reliance on test automation grows, the integration of AI and ML technologies is significantly enhancing testing methodologies. AI algorithms are now being leveraged to generate test cases automatically, while ML techniques are helping identify patterns and anomalies within test data.
The utilization of AI and ML in automated testing is projected to continue expanding and advancing as businesses strive to expedite processes, improve accuracy, and streamline their testing approaches.
4. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Industry research and market surveys indicate that the anticipated revenue from Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is projected to reach around $3.4 billion by 2027, reflecting a noteworthy 28.2% annual growth rate.
RPA, or robotic process automation, is mainly used to automate repetitive tasks that do not necessitate human involvement. It works by first recording the actions performed by a tester to create a reference. Then, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), RPA replicates these actions across multiple scenarios on the screen.
This automated approach significantly reduces both time and operational testing expenses for businesses in the long run, despite the upfront cost which can be a substantial lump sum.
5. IoT – Software testing trends to look for in 2024
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices, including appliances, vehicles, and various household items, that exchange data and communicate with each other.
The exponential growth of IoT testing stems from the increased focus on security and functional testing. The goal is to ensure the seamless operation and effectiveness of these interconnected devices. The demand for IoT testing remains extremely high in order to validate that current IoT systems and gadgets continue to meet users’ expectations and perform their intended functions.
6. In-Sprint Test Automation
The Agile methodology mandates rapid work and frequent release cycles within a sprint that typically spans 2 to 4 weeks. However, this pace often leaves insufficient time for comprehensive software testing within the sprint timeline. Testers often test a previous version of the software, which can be a significant drawback. Releasing a new version with only regression testing and dynamic/data-driven testing (DDT) methods might allow some bugs to slip into the production environment, potentially leading to enormous costs, sometimes up to 100 times more than if the issues were caught earlier.
In-sprint test automation addresses this challenge by enabling testers to work concurrently with the development process within the same sprint. This approach eliminates the need to wait until development is complete, allowing testers to commence their testing activities during development. As a result, this approach helps enhance software quality and allows testers to align their testing efforts with the most recent version being developed.
7. Continuous Testing and DevOps Integration
Continuous testing serves as a fundamental pillar for achieving agility, efficiency, and quality in software development. Automating testing processes and regularly incorporating testing feedback allows organizations to quickly identify defects, speed up delivery timelines, and ensure that software releases meet the necessary quality and performance standards.
The integration of testing into CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines enables organizations to automate testing activities at every stage of the software delivery process, from code commit to deployment. This seamless integration of testing within the DevOps workflow is a key software testing trend in 2024.
8. Test Data Management and Synthetic Test Data Generation
Test data management is a critical aspect of software testing, involving the creation, maintenance, and management of datasets used for testing purposes. In today’s software development landscape, organizations encounter challenges related to the sheer volume, diversity, and speed of test data, as well as data privacy and compliance requirements. Implementing effective test data management strategies is crucial to ensure that testing environments are properly provisioned, the data is representative of production scenarios, and sensitive information is handled securely.
Synthetic test data generation involves creating artificial datasets that mimic the characteristics of real-world data, enabling testing purposes. Synthetic test data generation tools leverage algorithms and statistical models to generate realistic datasets that simulate various scenarios and edge cases, allowing testers to thoroughly validate application behavior.
By generating synthetic test data, organizations can overcome limitations associated with accessing and managing production data, reduce dependencies on external systems, and enhance both test coverage and efficiency.
9. Security Testing and Compliance Automation
Security testing is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating risks, and ensuring that software systems can withstand cyber threats and attacks. With the increasing prevalence of cybersecurity threats and data breaches, organizations are placing a greater emphasis on security testing as part of their software development lifecycle.
Automating security testing and compliance checks streamlines the identification and remediation of security vulnerabilities, ensuring that software systems adhere to industry regulations and compliance standards. By integrating security testing into the CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline and DevSecOps practices, organizations can achieve continuous security validation and compliance assurance throughout the software delivery lifecycle.
10. Blockchain Testing
Blockchain testing is a specialized type of software testing that concentrates on verifying the functionality, security, and performance of blockchain-based applications and smart contracts. As the adoption of blockchain technology increases across various industries, organizations recognize the need for robust testing strategies to ensure the reliability and integrity of blockchain-based solutions.
Blockchain testing encompasses a range of activities, such as functional testing, security testing, performance testing, and smart contract auditing. These testing activities aim to verify the correctness and reliability of blockchain implementations.
Testing blockchain-based applications and smart contracts poses unique challenges due to the decentralized and immutable characteristics of blockchain networks. Organizations must consider factors like transaction throughput, consensus mechanisms, network latency, and smart contract logic when designing and executing blockchain tests.
Furthermore, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data stored on the blockchain necessitates the use of specialized testing techniques and tools.
As part of the software testing trends in 2024, effective blockchain testing offers opportunities to enhance the trust, transparency, and efficiency of blockchain ecosystems, ultimately driving innovation in decentralized applications and digital transactions.
Addressing Challenges in 2024
These emerging trends highlight the importance of efficiency in software testing. To successfully integrate these trends, it is critical to prioritize clear objectives, strategic planning, and ongoing adaptation. By doing so, you can ensure high-quality software testing and security testing in the rapidly evolving technological environment.
You don’t have to tackle these challenges alone. Schedule a demo to see how AGEST‘s comprehensive software testing solutions can assist you.