In the Club of Ministry of Testing (MoT) Simon asked the question on how you would explain the value of software testing. There are already good comments and answers on that question and I have some thoughts about this, too. But then I thought, why not ask ChatGPT and our company GPT model to retrieve answers and to compare them. I mean, using AI is helping and not replacing our work.
The Question
The original question from Simon was: „Someone tells you that testing isn’t needed! How do you explain the fact that it is?„.
If you quickly think about it and you are working in the IT area and software or testing environment, then this question is familiar to you. What would you answer him? Maybe you already have a few and great answers in your mind or you are still shaking your head regarding the question? Whatever you think and have in your mind – you are already trying to put words together to give a fictive answer, right? And the thing is – why not?!
My answer and understanding of why software testing is needed
I did receive similar questions around the topic of testing and especially software testing and what do I do in my job. A few years ago I just said on a short sidenote, I just press buttons on a website or in an app to check if the website or app does not crash or have strange behaviour. I would not do that again nowadays. It is simply not true.
My answer now would be:
Nobody is perfect, so no product is perfect and has no errors or problems. Therefore we have the tools and mindset of software testing and using methods to improve quality of a product. Even with the use of AI a product can’t be perfect or fully bug-free. And you can reframe it away from software – take it to food. You always test your cooked food before you serve it to others and your taste will tell you if you have to put more or less ingredients into the meal. And experience. And so it goes on with the software you use. It is not the first version which was done by a developer.
After the dev hat a look at it, another dev (maybe a senior dev) had a quick overview and fixed some coding, then a group of testers checked if the dev implemented the features the client requested with other assumptions and other methods. Even thinking different of using the software. I can go on further with tons of different ways. I hope you understand. And so the program or app get’s better and better until a point is reached where the client and the developers/testers agree on releasing the software.
So there is no good reason why you don’t need testing.
Answer from ChatGPT
Since OpenAI introduced the new version of GPT-4o after I logged in, I was allowed to test it, so I did. Maybe your answers would be different depending on the LLM version…
My prompt was:
How would you explain the value of software testing to someone that tells you that testing isn’t needed! How do you explain the fact that it is? Can you provide answers in a bullet list, with examples and sources and introduction and summary?
And ChatGPT responded:
Introduction
Software testing is often misunderstood and undervalued by those outside the software development field. Some might argue that it’s an unnecessary step, assuming that if software is built correctly, it should work as intended without the need for testing. However, the reality is that software testing is an essential part of the development process. It ensures quality, security, and functionality, and saves time and costs in the long run. Here’s a concise list of points to explain the value of software testing:
Key Reasons Why Software Testing is Essential
- Identifies Defects Early:
- Detects bugs and issues before the software goes live, preventing costly post-release fixes.
- Example: In 2014, a software bug in a flight control system caused multiple flight delays and cancellations. Early detection through testing could have prevented this【source】.
- Ensures Quality:
- Validates that the software meets the specified requirements and works as expected across different environments and scenarios.
- Example: Amazon’s rigorous testing ensures its website can handle high traffic during events like Black Friday without crashing【source】.
- Enhances Security:
- Uncovers vulnerabilities and security flaws, protecting sensitive user data and maintaining trust.
- Example: In 2017, the Equifax data breach exposed personal data of 147 million people due to unpatched vulnerabilities that could have been caught through comprehensive testing【source】.
- Improves User Experience:
- Ensures that the software is user-friendly and functions smoothly, leading to higher user satisfaction and retention.
- Example: Apple’s thorough testing of iOS updates helps maintain a consistent and reliable user experience across millions of devices【source】.
- Reduces Maintenance Costs:
- Prevents the need for extensive and costly fixes after deployment by catching issues early in the development cycle.
- Example: A report by the Systems Sciences Institute at IBM found that fixing a bug after release is 4 to 5 times more expensive than fixing it during the design phase【source】.
- Facilitates Compliance:
- Ensures that the software complies with industry standards and regulations, avoiding legal issues and penalties.
- Example: Medical software must undergo rigorous testing to meet FDA regulations, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance【source】.
- Boosts Confidence:
- Provides stakeholders with confidence in the software’s reliability and performance, facilitating smoother project management and deployment.
- Example: SpaceX’s rigorous testing protocols for their software systems are crucial for mission success and safety assurance in space exploration【source】.
- Supports Continuous Improvement:
- Enables the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) process, allowing for regular updates and improvements with minimized risk.
- Example: Google’s continuous testing framework allows them to release updates to services like Gmail and Google Search with minimal disruption to users【source】.
Summary
Software testing is not just a phase in development but a critical component that ensures the success, security, and longevity of software applications. By identifying issues early, improving quality, enhancing user experience, and reducing costs, testing adds immense value to the development process. Ignoring it can lead to significant risks, including financial losses, security breaches, and damaged reputations. Emphasizing the importance of software testing can help stakeholders understand its indispensable role in delivering reliable, high-quality software.
Sadly, ChatGPT could not provide me with the sources, I prompted again and still no source-update…
🙁
Answer from GPT MaibornWolff
Our company GPT version I used was GPT-3.5. It did provide the sources. Well, it just provided the last known sources, not the actual state if the source is valid or not…
My prompt was:
How would you explain the value of software testing to someone that tells you that testing isn’t needed! How do you explain the fact that it is? Can you provide answers in a bullet list, with examples and sources and introduction and summary?
And GPT MaibornWolff responded to me:
Introduction:
Software testing is an essential and valuable process in the software development lifecycle. It helps ensure that software meets the desired quality standards and functions as intended. Despite its importance, some individuals may question the need for testing. In this explanation, we will outline the value of software testing and provide examples and sources to support our points.
Value of Software Testing:
- Identifying defects: Testing uncovers defects or bugs in software, helping to identify issues before they reach end-users. Catching and fixing these defects early in the development process saves time, effort, and resources. For example, a study by IBM found that fixing a defect during the requirements phase costs 6 times less than fixing it during the maintenance phase[^1].
- Ensuring software functionality: Testing verifies that software functions as intended, meeting the specified requirements. It helps ensure that all features work correctly and that the software performs its intended tasks. For instance, if an e-commerce website fails to process payments accurately, it could lead to financial losses and damage the company’s reputation.
- Enhancing user experience: Testing helps improve the user experience by identifying usability issues, such as confusing interfaces or slow response times. By addressing these issues, software developers can create a more user-friendly product, leading to higher customer satisfaction. For example, a study by Forrester Research found that 88% of users are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience[^2].
- Increasing reliability and stability: Through testing, software developers can ensure that their products are reliable and stable. This reduces the likelihood of crashes, freezes, or unexpected behavior, which can negatively impact user experience and trust in the software. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology estimated that software bugs cost the U.S. economy approximately $59.5 billion annually[^3].
- Mitigating security risks: Testing plays a crucial role in identifying security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software. By conducting security testing, developers can uncover potential risks and address them before the software is deployed. This helps protect sensitive user data and prevents security breaches. According to a report by Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach in 2020 was $3.86 million[^4].
Summary:
Software testing is vital for ensuring the quality, functionality, reliability, and security of software products. By identifying defects, ensuring functionality, enhancing user experience, increasing reliability, and mitigating security risks, testing helps create robust and reliable software. Neglecting testing can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, user dissatisfaction, and security breaches. Therefore, investing in software testing is a prudent choice for any software development project.
Sources:
[^1]: IBM Systems Sciences Institute, „The Economics of Software Quality,“ 2008. Link
[^2]: Forrester Research, „The Business Impact of Investing in Experience,“ 2016. Link
[^3]: National Institute of Standards and Technology, „The Economic Impacts of Inadequate Infrastructure for Software Testing,“ 2002. Link
[^4]: Ponemon Institute, „Cost of a Data Breach Report 2020,“ 2020. Link
(Manually updated sources by internet search: )
- https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/9780132582209/samplepages/0132582201.pdf
- https://business.adobe.com/content/dam/dx/us/en/products/pdfs/adobe-impact-of-cx-spotlight-retail.pdf
- https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/director/planning/report02-3.pdf
- https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach (2023)
So there you are. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment or to share. Thank you.