App Testing Now Consumes a Quarter of IT Budget

Written By
Michael Vizard
Michael Vizard
Published: Sep 30, 2013
Updated: May 12, 2021
2 minute read

App Testing

1-Projected Growth of QA Budgets

Projected Growth of QA Budgets

As a percentage of the IT budget, quality assurance spending is increasing. 2012: 18%, 2013: 23%, 2015: 28% (projected)

2-Transformational Projects Grow

Transformational Projects Grow

The percentage of high values versus maintenance projects is increasing as well. 2012: 41%, 2013: 46%, 2015: 49% (projected)

3-Breakdown of Quality Assurance Investments

Breakdown of Quality Assurance Investments

Infrastructure investments continue to dominate. Testing hardware and infrastructure: 40%, Tools and software licenses: 28%, Human resources: 23%

4-Nature of the Quality Assurance Team in 2013

Nature of the Quality Assurance Team in 2013

Year over year results for 2013, however, show momentum is moving toward centralization. A combination of centralized and decentralized functions: 35%, Centralized as one team: 26%, Highly decentralized: 13%, Testing handled by external vendor: 12%, No separate testing function: 14%

5-Shift to Test Center Operational Excellence?

Shift to Test Center Operational Excellence?

As part of centralization, a shift to Test Center Operational Excellence (TCOE) center is underway. Fully operational TCOE: 19%, TCOE already started with completion in two years: 13%, Plan to use third-party TCOE: 19%, Plan to develop internal TCOE in two years: 23%, No plans in place: 26%

6-Metrics Uses to Measure QA Effectiveness

Metrics Uses to Measure QA Effectiveness

Most measurements are reactive rather than proactive. Number of defects found: 73%, Cost per test case: 55%, Cost per defect found: 52%, Reduced time to market: 45%, Cost savings from preventing defects to reach production: 39%

7-Testing Service Delivery Models

Testing Service Delivery Models

Reliance of external testing services is on the rise. Internal or in-house: 41%, External managed service providers: 20%, Staff augmentation and contractors: 14%, Co-Managed projects: 14%, Capped or fixed capacity professional service: 12%

8-When Does Quality Assurance Get Involved in a Project?

When Does Quality Assurance Get Involved in a Project?

Most of the time quality assurance’s project involvement occurs too late. Project planning phase: 22%, Requirements definition phase: 20%, Implementation phase: 20%, Production or maintenance phase: 15%, Realization of system development phase: 10%

9-The Rise of Mobile Testing

The Rise of Mobile Testing

The majority of IT shops are now seeing more mobile app testing. Yes: 55%, No: 45%

10-Barriers to Mobile Testing
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Barriers to Mobile Testing

Methodology is now a bigger problem than the tools. Lacks the right method or process: 56%, Devices are not readily available: 52%, Mobile testing experts not available: 48%, Lacks in-house testing environment: 38%, Lacks the right tools for testing: 37%, Lack of time to test: 33%

11-Focus of Mobile App Testing Efforts

Focus of Mobile App Testing Efforts

The focus on security has jumped considerably. Performance: 59%, Security: 56%, Functionality: 43%, Portability: 38%, User interface: 36%, Certification of application: 34%, Compatibility and regression testing: 29%

Michael Vizard

Michael Vizard

Content Writer

Vizard previously served as the Editorial Director and Senior Vice President, setting the strategic editorial direction for the Enterprise Group at Ziff Davis, which includes eWEEK, Baseline, CIO Insight, The Channel Insider, Publish and Microsoft Watch,. Mr. Vizard has served as the Editor in Chief of CMP Media's Computer Resellers News, in addition to being Editor in Chief at International Data Group's InfoWorld. Mr. Vizard has also had extensive editorial management experience over an 18-year career that has included management positions with PC Week, Computerworld, Digital Review and Electronic Buyers' News.

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