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A smooth running testing team functioning within a smooth running organisation are vital components in meeting difficult deadlines. Here are some of the most important elements that can help handle the human factor in software testing.

Patience.

Being patient with the people that you work with can help smooth the rough spots and create allies. Remember, they’ve got a job to do and one of the best ways to help them do it is to show patience.

Polite

Common courtesy including being polite and respectful is almost a guarantee that people will be polite and respectful in return. It is also a major step on the road to being a team player. And it’s very important to remain polite and respectful in discussion threads at all times. You don’t know who is going to see your posts.

Dedication

Stick to the job and get it done. Jump into a test cycle as quickly as possible,  don’t wait until the last minute to tell people when you can’t finish something. Get your test results in as early as possible. Also, don’t be afraid to refuse to bite off more than you can chew. It’s okay to turn down a test cycle if you feel that you don’t have enough time. Set clear expectations, and over deliver wherever possible rather than over-promising and under-delivering. It won’t hurt your reputation and it shows that you are professional enough to know what you can and cannot do.

The Really Big Factor

The single biggest factor of all is communication. And good communication in the testing environment is based on literacy, listening and prioritising.

Literacy. This may seem like a given, but it’s very easy for well educated people to write like they are illiterate. The tendency to write using technical jargon and abbreviations should be resisted if your reports are going to be read by non-technical people. And don’t refer to ideas or situations without explaining what you are talking about, either on paper or in meetings. It annoys people.

Listen. The ability to listen will automatically set you apart not just as someone who cares, but as someone who’s smart. Smart people listen, it’s a common trait of intelligence and most people know it.

Prioritise. It’s very easy to get picky. Don’t dispute bugs or rejections, learn from them and move on. Consider it as constructive criticism. Save taking a stand for things that are really important.

With a little practice, it’s possible have a smooth running team by practicing a little common courtesy in software testing.

This includes various types of information depending on the activities involved such as version development, updates to previously installed software, and includes network addresses of hardware as well. Basically, configuration management is the keeping of extensive records of the changes involved in development, in order to facilitate decision making during the development cycle and to ensure smooth deployment in a cost effective and efficient manner.

These major goals then break down into a number of sub-goals. Sub-goals for software development include keeping track of source code by using a source code management system such as GIT, and other types of documentation, handling change requests and keeping track of changes made. All of these operations require specialized software to be successful.

Configuration management also includes the following:

Schedule control and the ability to keep track of the entire lifecycle of a project.

Verification and validation that keeps the development cycle from becoming stuck by ensuring that each step, change or process is successful before handoff.

Well managed communication that keeps the various subgroups operating as a single team.

Controlling configuration item changes to to prevent incompatibilities and introduced errors.

Making software builds as reliable and rapid as possible by creating software packages that can be easily deployed and undeployed.

The achievement of theses goals requires the use of configuration management applications so that the array of systems and software involved can be monitored to make certain that changes made do not cause unforeseen problems. Consequently, modern configuration management is an almost completely automated process, that will continue to evolve and improve into the foreseeable future.

Many of them took to social media to complain that they weren’t able to sign in or put items in their shopping carts, and that the site was giving them 500 and 504 errors.

For many retailers, Black Friday is the worst day for their website to malfunction. Shoppers drawn to the holiday shopping season sales that traditionally start on the day after Thanksgiving make Black Friday the most profitable day of the year for many merchants. Any website downtime can mean losing out on a huge number of sales, and analysts at LoveTheSales.com estimated that J. Crew lost $775,000 in sales within the first five hours of the glitch.

Black Friday crashes are not uncommon due to the increased volume of web traffic on that day—Lowe’s, Walmart, and other major retailers also suffered site crashes last week. In a tweet addressing the website issues, J. Crew said that “Due to high demand, we’re experiencing some technical difficulties with our site right now,” and went on to offer apologies and assure customers that they were rushing to fix things as fast as they could.

However, making those fixes appears to have been a challenge, because J. Crew’s website issues persisted through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. Customers have also reported long wait times for customer service both online and over the phone. J. Crew has extended its Black Friday sales for customers who were unable to shop with them due to the glitch and promised additional, unspecified sales and promotions to help make up for the inconvenience.

The glitch may have been especially disappointing for J. Crew this year, because other retailers saw record online sales numbers last Friday. Adobe Analytics reported a 28% jump in online retail sales compared to the same time period last year.

Breaking tests down into small modules, to ensure maximum coverage, is also a very good idea. This is especially true when writing test cases. Even an individual module should be broken down as far as necessary to test each sub-function.

Testing for invalid conditions should only be undertaken after it has been determined that the software functions correctly under normal circumstances. Never assume that some element of the software does not contain errors.

Never neglect performance testing, as performance is a vital part of any application. Performance includes the ability to handle large amounts of data. If you don't have enough data to work with then write some scripts that will create it.

Give your development and testing teams enough time. Don't rush release, assume instead that there will be glitches along the way. Testing time can be estimated upon the release of updates. It's better to provide a little bit too much time than not enough. Also, keep your development and testing teams separate. Developers should only be concerned with unit testing. And developers should never be forced to release incomplete products for testing.

Writing test cases should begin in the design phase. It enables developers to analyse test cases ahead of time and improves the quality of the application. This way, you can be certain that testing scenarios match requirements. Which is why testers should be involved right from the design phase. This enables them to develop a quality understanding of the software they will be testing so they can design correct and inclusive testing protocols that cover all aspects of the application. Of course, all of these criteria depend on the quality of the testers that you use.

Ultimately, it comes down to the skill level of people who are doing the testing. So, saving money by using in-house testers, who are not qualified, ultimately causes more trouble than it saves you money. Hiring qualified testers is the best way to get the most from your software testing dollar.

The global research and advisory firm Gartner, Inc. has released their strategic technology forecast for 2019. Here are seven of their key predictions for what we can expect to see more of in the year to come:

1. Blockchain

The blockchain is everywhere these days, and it's not going anywhere. A distributed electronic ledger, the blockchain allows users to make permanent, unalterable, encrypted transaction records. The decentralized nature of the blockchain makes it a perfect platform for electronic currencies like Bitcoin, but it can be adapted to serve a wide variety of functions, such as supply chain management and health care recordkeeping.

2. Smart Spaces

The natural evolution of smart devices, smart spaces are environments where people can interact with technology in a fully integrated framework that allows for more open, connected, and dynamic activities for both work and play. Whether it's a single room or an entire city, AI and other innovations will be helping to create interactive digital ecosystems that bring people together and allow them to achieve more.

3. Autonomy

More devices and machines will be self-operating in the years to come. Artificial intelligence and robotics will continue to find ways to transform vehicles, appliances, drones, and tools. Self-driving cars will be one of the most visible examples, but autonomous technology will increasingly turn up in subtler applications as well.

4. Digital Twins

A "digital twin" is a digital representation of something that exists in the real world—it can be an object, or something abstract like a system or process. Operators can view, manipulate, and analyze digital twin models more easily than the actual things they represent, and improvements in technology will enable these digital copies to accurately mirror their subjects down to the smallest detail.

5. Edge Computing

Edge computing refers to the practice of processing data close to its source (like consumer devices) rather than at a centralized system (like a server), the idea being to reduce network traffic and latency. Edge computing is expected to help Internet of Things devices operate more quickly and efficiently by making them less reliant on provider-side computers and network resources.

6. Immersion

With small, affordable devices now able to offer convincing virtual reality experiences, we can expect immersive technologies to become more widespread, along with augmented and mixed-reality platforms. While most of us are familiar with VR, AR, and other immersive technologies in a gaming or entertainment context, businesses, educators, and other adopters are exploring productive ways to utilize them.

7. AI-Driven Development

Behind many predictions about the technological innovations of tomorrow is the assumption that powerful and adaptive artificial intelligence platforms will be powering them. Over time, AI is expected to become more modular, giving a wider range of developers the ability to embed AI into the tools and applications they're creating.

The key takeout from the interview is that the digital revolution has changed the way business is being done. Never before has the ability to fine tune the brand to the customer been so great and never before has it been so necessary.

Digital has resulted in a new approach to sales and customer service. The speed and density of information has increased the speed of interaction across the entire spectrum of customer relations. It should no longer be the goal to “own” customers. The customer can easily move on to someone else and will stay with a certain brand only as long as his or her needs are addressed. Brand loyalty is now achieved by fine tuning the brand to the customer’s needs on an ongoing basis. Modern business is less about being relevant to the customer at all times and in all ways than about being there and fulfilling the customer’s needs in real time – being really, really relevant in the moment.

Here are some of the highlights from the chat.

When Ash asked what Dave what digital trends he thought would have the most impact in the next 12 to 24 months, he replied that new technologies would put the customer at the centre of the brands experience. The growth of a digital ecosystem comprised of various devices had created a much more personal relationship between brand and customer. He also pointed out that the speed of modern communication meant that companies no longer “owned” their customers. He said, “It’s less about owning you and more about sharing you with other services which make your life better.”

Dave also pointed out that, “You now have the ability to go to market with an n=1 offer.” When asked what an n=1 offer was he replied that it was an offer that completely met the customer's need right at that moment. It had less to do about personalisation and more about relevance. It was an approach that made the company completely relevant to the customer right at that moment.

Ash then asked Dave, “What is the best advice you have ever received as a leader?” Dave answered,”To make myself redundant.”. Now this is not an uncommon response of top level executives, but Dave gave it his own unique explanation. He explained that one should never occupy a position past the point where you are no longer growing or allowing others to grow. And when we find ourselves just “doing the role” we should move on. Its about delegating to people who report into you and going to those above you and looking for opportunities to develop yourself.

When asked about information and helpful materials for day to day decision making, Dave didn’t hesitate in mentioning the books ‘The Second Machine Age’  by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee as well as ‘The Flash Boys’ by Michael Lewis. He also recommended the YouTube video ‘Humans Need Not Apply’. Also, when asked what people he is currently following he mentioned Jeremy Rifkin and NYU professor Scott Galloway, both offering courses that he would be very happy to partake in, no matter his age.

If Dave could go back in time he would have no hesitation in counseling his parents , :”to introduce me to the world a bit later. I would love to be about twenty-something now. Last year I came across the University of Technology Sydney, Degree called Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation and I just want to do it.”

Spoken like a man who loves a new challenge. 

And while development continues, IT has reached such a level of saturation that the primary enablers of digital technology have a growing responsibility for the future. Who are the primary enablers? They are government, business, education and the public. Fortunately, each of these sectors can foster the others to insure that the future of IT moves in a direction that benefits all.

Government can foster business by streamlining laws to make establishing and operating digital businesses easier. Online markets need harmonized rules that are easy to understand and comply with and these rules should not stifle innovation. Another important government function to supply the infrastructure that private enterprise cannot set up on its own.  

Government, business and individuals can work to ensure that the educational opportunities are there for the next generation, while IT professionals can transform the educational system through the use of digital technology.

The public can do more than just vote with their wallets. They can demand an environment where trust is an important part of of both society and the economy. Information is power and the coming digital world will run on information. The temptation to tap into that global resource in unethical ways will only increase. It’s up to the public to ensure that government and business treat their information with the confidentiality and respect it deserves. Confidentiality is actually in the best interest of government and business. Both these groups want to be trusted and treating personal information in a cavalier manner is a quick way to lose that trust.  

So, the public can demand a trustworthy use of personal data while government can supply a rational framework and fill in the gaps in infrastructure.  Business can provide the innovation and the products while all three can promote and encourage education. This combination of mutual support and cooperation will make a fair, free and productive digital world possible.

The report also states that there were some 552 billion dollars in indirect effects. But what are indirect effects? This is a question that might be a bit difficult to answer as digital technology has become ubiquitous. It exists in the cellphone, the grocery store, and the automobile you drive. The average person in western society encounters or uses software at least a dozen times a day. This means that the indirect effects on productivity and exchange are almost impossible to measure. No matter how hard you try, you’ll always leave something out.  For example, how many independent contractors supply their services through the Internet?

We tend to look at the big boys or disruptive startups who are pushing fintech, insuretech and blockchain technologies. However, digital technology is the great equalizer, because it enables small players with limited funds and personnel to compete almost as equals with large corporations. The Internet is open to everyone and the Cloud doesn't care if you're big or small.

Another effect is the shifting of outsourcing. Originally, outsourcing was from one physical location to another and the new location was still directly subordinate to its source. It was still, at least to some extent, an internal part of the original organization. Today, even the big players are outsourcing formally internal functions to independent groups who supply everything from accounting services to software development and even manufacturing. Digital technology makes this possible.

Software has become the glue that holds businesses together in mutually cooperative arrangements that benefit all concerned. Software may be pumping a trillion dollars into the American economy, but it also facilitates the way that economy operates on a daily basis and that is a lot harder to measure.

You can read the Forbes article here.

Digital technology is a disruptive force that could potentially shrink the importance of conventional banking infrastructure within the financial ecosystem. It does this not just by providing alternatives, but by offering financial services that are faster and cheaper and that provide greater access to customer input.

Communication is the key to the successful use of digital technology and this is especially true within the financial industry. If fintech has disrupted anything, it has disrupted the elevated regard that the banking industry had for itself as the gatekeeper of the economy. The egalitarian approach of financial startups has proven that the starched collar and old school tie approach of traditional banking, that places the customer as just one element of the game, must change. The customer is now at the center. A number of innovative banks have already realized this and have taken steps to provide new and more personalized service through software development.

This drive for innovation has gone beyond the edge in some ways, such as cryptocurrency. It’s too early to tell if, or even how, banks could profit from this new innovation. The impact on the financial services industry has yet to be determined. However, it is obvious that if established financial institutions are to profit from the truly new, then they will need to incorporate a wide range of developers and tech specialists into their operations.

Funding of fintech continues to increase year by year. Financial technology is not going away and the need to innovate to address this rolling avalanche of changes has government regulators and established banks running to keep up. The financial sector is in the midst of a profound revolution that presents new risks and new profit opportunities. The innovation has only just begun.

Fintech is changing access to investment data. It is opening up Wall Street to provide detailed information to small investors, while crowdfunding is making it possible for people to pool their money to pay for access to expensive industry experts. It is also creating new lending and investment spaces where small businesses and individuals can find capital without having to deal with the banking bureaucracy.

As civilizations change, the need for new approaches to finance become apparent, and that usually means more money moving faster through the economy. For example, taking currency off gold or silver standards has been both praised and lamented, but was probably inevitable. The finite amount of precious metal available limited the amount of currency that could be issued to cover economic growth. This presented banks and governments with a big problem. The choices were limiting growth to what could be covered by reasonable redemption rates, debasing the currency,  or simply disconnecting the money supply and letting it float free. In a sense, they were forced to go fiat.

Fintech, is changing the nature of money,  yet again. The digital revolution has created a global economy where money must move further and faster than ever before. Fintech is becoming the answer to that economy. It is enabling transactions to happen faster and at further distances. People can now make purchases anywhere in the world and have products delivered to their doors within days. And the advent of cryptocurrencies means that they don’t even have to make those purchases in officially authorized money.

In the near future, cash will be defined by a bundle of various types of currency, including but not limited to the government authorized stuff. The one thing we can be certain of is that fintech will not only change the way people buy and invest, but will change the definition of money as well.