Testing as a Service

Testing as a Service (TaaS, typically pronounced 'tass') is a model of software testing whereby a provider undertakes the activity of software testing applications/solutions for customers as a service on demand. Testing as a Service involves the on-demand test execution of well-defined suites of test material, GeneRally on an outsourced basis. The execution can be performed either on client site or remotely from the outsourced providers test lab/facilities.

Aims and objectives

One of the main objectives of TaaS is to allow the organisation to focus on core business activities whilst keeping costs down, thus allowing them to address the current (2008/9) trend of reduced IT budgets whilst not getting distracted on non-core competencies.

Key characteristics and delivery

In order for TaaS to work effectively it should be delivered on either a fixed price or known cost basis with clearly defined schedules of work, this will allow organisations to deal with the high levels of change that might be inherent in their solutions/organisations whilst allowing them to smooth any resource peaks and troughs.

There is no clear evidence to support which is the most effective delivery model for TaaS, whether that be onshore, near shore or indeed offshore, it is however clear that for most organisations speed of testing is important and so the use of people versus technology must be considered very carefully.

Implementation

Whilst it is not true for every system under test (SUT) or application under test (AUT), it is true that in certain circumstances the use of test automation can massively increase the speed and efficiency of test execution. So any TaaS offering, if delivered using test automation will allow organisations to benefit from reduced time to market without suffering the learning curve and headaches involved in undertaking test automation.