Oftentimes, it becomes necessary for Software Testing leaders to impress the importance of Software Testing with the business. It is not an easy task, as Software Testing is perceived to be a scripted execution of laundry list of checks to be executed, either by a machine or humans. Most of the times, it is trivialized that ‘testing’ could be done by automated checks in the pipeline and we are done with it, but that is neither what Software testing is nor the value it provides. Hence it is important to know the key points that you would have as part of your elevator pitch for Software Testing to your business. As with elevator pitch, you got to deliver your bullets quick and in a fashion that would convince a business to follow-up on it, to research more on it to see if and to what extent testing is required for their context.
Here are two major points that I would have:
- The Software claims that it would do what it is supposed to do, in a way that it is supposed to do. But do we know for sure that that’s the case? Most of the times, it does not, irrespective of developer-driven checks, bells and whistles. We need validation and verification through human oversight, both while the product is being is built and after the product is deemed ready for shipping
- Automation cannot check all the possible combinations, not because the resources are not available, but because it blindly executes a set of checks without context. Software Testing through human oversight takes care of coming up with a strategy that’s appropriate for the context, and uses automation to do the required checks as and when needed, instead of blindly executing all the checks and not thinking about new scenarios as needed.
Feel free to add your thoughts on additional points if you have, in the comments.
I would also refer to design considerations/risks that I came up with, to discuss in detail, if the business leader is convinced that testing is needed after the elevator pitch.
What challenges do you have in convincing your business to have Software Testing in your organisation? Feel free to comment below, or setup a time with me to talk about elevator pitch for Software Testing. Happy to talk!