Build or Buy? The Hidden Risk in Test Program Development ??
Lorenz Yatco
? Sales Engineer | Test & Measurement Specialist | Helping Businesses Make Smarter Tech Decisions
One of the toughest decisions in Test Engineering is whether to develop in-house test programs or leverage Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software. On the surface, building a custom solution may seem cost-effective and tailored to your needs—but what happens when your lead engineer leaves?
?? The Danger of a “One-Person” System
Most Test Development teams start with just 1-3 engineers. It’s common for a single person to handle test automation, data acquisition, and report generation—but what if they leave for a better opportunity?
? Tribal Knowledge Risk – If only one person understands the system, knowledge disappears when they do.
? Maintenance Nightmare – New engineers struggle to decipher custom code, delaying production.
? Scalability Issues – In-house solutions often lack standardization, making expansion across teams difficult.
When test systems aren’t replicable, manageable, and readable, production lines suffer.
? The Power of a Standardized Test Framework
Instead of reinventing the wheel, leveraging a commercial test framework ensures:
? Scalability – Easily expand test programs across departments.
? Readability – Engineers can follow structured, modular test scripts.
? Maintainability – Even if key engineers leave, the system remains functional.
? Efficiency – Drag-and-drop test sequencing reduces development time.
?? Keeping the Production Line Running
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just test automation—it’s business continuity. Companies that standardize test systems can:
?? Train new engineers faster with a common framework.
?? Ensure test consistency across different product lines.
?? Reduce downtime by avoiding hard-to-maintain custom code.
Building in-house test programs isn’t wrong, but for long-term success, having a scalable and manageable solution is essential. No matter what happens, your production lines must keep running.
Are you using in-house test software or a COTS solution like NI TestStand? Let’s discuss below! ??
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