The Planit Software Testing Index is a key tool for software and quality assurance professionals, enabling them benchmark their organisation and understand the maturity of their quality assurance practices.

Software is the lifeblood of modern organisations, and the foundation for value creation and competitive advantage. Yet each year countless software projects run over budget, over time or suffer a significant change in the scope of their deliverables. Some are cancelled altogether. It doesn’t need to be this way.

For five years now the Planit Testing Index has shone a light on the positive impact that quality assurance practices have on the delivery of projects, surveying over 1,000 software development and testing professionals from across Australia and New Zealand.

Year after year, the Index has clearly demonstrated the ambition of its respondents to garner greater investment in quality assurance procedures and practices for their organisations’ software development projects. But while significant strides to the implementation of software quality assurance practices have been made, many organisations still have some way to go to achieve best practice.

Results show that there is significant room for improvement throughout the software development cycle, particularly in the early stages when requirements are being defined.

The Index found near-unanimity in the belief that greater investment in quality assurance and testing leads to better software development outcomes, and a resounding desire to improve quality assurance practices. Each year respondents report a strong desire for further investment in testing tools and procedures, and the implementation of those earlier in the software development cycle. This Index is no exception.

The Planit Software Testing Index is a key tool for software and quality assurance professionals, enabling them benchmark their organisation and understand the maturity of their quality assurance practices. It also provides essential supporting evidence when making arguments in favour of greater investment in quality assurance.

Ultimately, it is hoped that the Index will drive improvements in quality assurance practices through the software development life cycle, leading to better quality software projects delivered on time, on budget, and as their funders expected.

Graham Davis, Director of Testing Services at Planit will present the findings from the Planit Testing Index, a survey conducted with over 200 organisation’s IT projects at the upcoming Australian Banking & Financial Technology Summit from 17 to 18 September at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney. Graham has played a pivotal role in the continued growth and success of Planit. As the Director of Testing Services in Sydney since 2005, Graham has managed key accounts including Commonwealth Bank, Vodafone Hutchison Australia, MLC, Westpac, Foxtel, Medibank, News Limited, Salmat and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Responsible for over 180 Sydney-based testers, Graham works closely with Planit’s clients to address their organisational needs by developing testing solutions and establishing testing teams. Planit is proud to be associated with the Summit as a Gold Sponsor.

Australian Banking & Financial Technology Innovation Summit is expected to attract over 150 senior level executives from the banking and financial services industry in Australia. The Banking & Financial Technology Summit will provide its delegates with a platform to learn of the latest trends in place and the opportunities that exist to drive change through innovation now and into the future.