It’s that time of year again—when New Year’s resolutions start looking less like a life overhaul and more like a distant memory. If you’ve already skipped a couple of gym sessions or decided that “eating healthier” includes fries, as long as they’re oven-baked, you’re not alone. Sticking to resolutions is tough; it’s challenging to make meaningful changes and build healthy habits. Interestingly, it’s a lesson that can be applied to both your personal life and your software testing strategy.
There is a wealth of content online about the psychology of creating resolutions you can stick to; common tips that stand out are creating the right environment to create healthy habits, setting milestones, and embracing setbacks as part of the journey. We’ve applied those principles to the world of software testing to give you three ways to make sure that your efforts to improve your testing processes deliver meaningful change.
1. Create a space to build healthy habits
Healthy habits thrive in the right environment, and the same goes for software testing. If you’re managing your testing efforts through spreadsheets and endless email threads, it’s like trying to train for a marathon by running laps in your living room—possible, but far from ideal.
Why it matters: Spreadsheets and emails make it difficult to maintain consistency, track progress, and foster collaboration. Testing processes become fragmented, and your team spends more time managing the chaos than running effective tests.
The solution: Invest in dedicated test management software and purpose-built testing tools. A centralized hub for all your testing activities makes it easier to organize, execute, and track progress, and features like automation and built-in reporting help streamline the process.
Example: A retail company using spreadsheets to track regression tests struggles with version control and overlooking critical test cases. After adopting a centralized platform, they create a unified library of test cases and automate regression testing, cutting their test cycle times by 40%.
2. Set regular milestones to track success
Resolutions often fail because they’re too vague. “Be healthier” sounds great, but without clear milestones, how do you measure success? The same principle applies to testing: you need regular checkpoints to see how far you’ve come and where you need to improve.
Why it matters: Without regular milestones, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals or feel like progress isn’t happening fast enough. Measuring and reporting on metrics like defect resolution time, test cycle durations, and test coverage provide measurable benchmarks to keep your team motivated.
The solution: Use tools that allow you to track your progress in real time. Dashboards and reporting features can offer actionable insights, helping you see the bigger picture and stay motivated.
Example: A SaaS company sets quarterly milestones to reduce defect resolution times by 20% and improve test coverage by 15%. By regularly reviewing their progress using reporting tools, they hit their targets ahead of schedule and kept their team focused and energized.
3. Embrace the setbacks
Let’s face it: even the best plans hit bumps in the road. Whether it’s missing a workout or encountering a critical bug right before a release, setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how you respond.
Why it matters: Testing is a dynamic process. Issues like falling behind schedule, unexpected bugs, or incomplete test cases are common, but they don’t have to derail your progress. The right tools can turn setbacks into opportunities for improvement.
The solution: A complete view of your testing activities makes it easier to adapt and stay on track. Testing platforms that allow you to quickly identify problem areas and reallocate resources can help keep your efforts aligned with your goals.
Example: A manufacturing company faces delays in its ERP migration due to incomplete test coverage. By leveraging tools to identify gaps and reprioritize efforts, they complete testing without jeopardizing the project timeline.
Seeing the bigger picture
Making resolutions stick is all about seeing the bigger picture. By creating a supportive environment, setting clear milestones, and embracing setbacks, you’ll not only improve your testing processes but also see the ripple effects across your organization.
Benefits of better testing:
- Improved software quality: Delivering reliable, user-friendly applications enhances customer satisfaction and business performance.
- More time for your IT team: Streamlined testing processes free up your team to focus on other high-value tasks, adding more strategic value to your organization.
- Cost savings for major projects: Whether it’s migrating to Cloud ERP or rolling out a new feature, efficient testing reduces delays and ensures project success.
If you’re ready to make a testing resolution that will actually stick this year, Original Software is here to help. With tools designed to simplify and supercharge your testing efforts, you’ll be on track to achieve your goals and transform your processes for the better. Let’s make this the year your testing resolutions go the distance.
