Weaponizing Test Engineering: A Game-Changer

In many traditional IT shops that rely on packaged applications, the full potential of QA (quality assurance) hasn’t been unleashed yet. A really good test engineer can be a game-changer. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a few early in their careers—high-energy, automation-savvy folks who were a godsend for my dev team, which was often stretched thin. But in many such setups, QA always seems to have a love-hate relationship with leadership, especially when the budgets tighten. It’s often seen as a “nice to have” or an auxiliary function that can survive with less funding.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed that smaller companies just getting started with packaged applications tend to leverage QA more effectively. They even use exciting terms like “sustaining engineering” or “test engineering.” It sounds a lot better than “just QA,” doesn’t it? But even in these setups, the lack of a cohesive vision often holds them back. That’s not because they don’t see the value—it’s just the reality of IT life.

Here are a few challenges I’ve seen repeatedly in my experience:

1. Budget Constraints

IT teams are constantly asked to do more with less. Low-code platforms and SaaS adoption are giving us incredible tools, but they’ve also ramped up the demands on IT. Everyone wants to know how IT is adding business value, and the focus—and the funds—tend to flow to customer-facing or business-critical initiatives. That often leaves QA out in the cold, scrambling for scraps of the budget.

2. Constant Change

Here’s the thing about test automation: it’s like riding a tiger. You can’t just build your scripts and forget about them. Application updates from major application vendors like Oracle, Salesforce and others mean that your automation scripts will need constant tweaking to keep up. It’s a commitment, and let’s be real—most organizations struggle to stay consistent with it.

3. Time-to-Market Pressures

Automating end-to-end business processes in a complex IT landscape isn’t fast. Between tightly integrated applications and endless process variations, building automation scripts for everything takes time. And while you’re working on that, the applications keep changing! It’s a never-ending cycle, and I’ve seen it frustrate product owners to the point of fatigue.

The Payoff: Turning QA into a Competitive Weapon

Overcoming these challenges requires resources, but budgets are often constrained. The two strategies I employed were practical and opportunistic. First, I planned for each project ?to budget for test automation. Second, I looked for opportunities to repurpose underspent funds from other areas to invest in testing initiatives. I’ve even tried to persuade major vendors to bring their own tools and offer them as a service—a creative workaround when direct investment seemed unlikely.

However, even large SI are often hesitant to commit significant funding without guaranteed returns. Building a robust team also becomes difficult when budgets fluctuate. I’ve always rejected a “hire-and-fire” approach; instead, I focus on fostering stability, providing a safe environment for experimentation, and empowering the team to innovate without fear of failure.

Being the leader means staring down a mountain of problems and knowing you can only address a few at a time. It’s daunting, yes—but here’s the good news: if you tackle these challenges head-on, test engineering can transform from a cost center into a competitive advantage. It can help you move faster, experiment smarter, and ultimately deliver more value.

Because, let’s be honest—what’s the fun in leadership if there aren’t challenges to overcome?

Here are a few practical options, drawn from the collective wisdom of friends, peers, and fellow “co-conspirators”:

1. Invest in trained Test Engineers

It all starts with the right people. Find someone who can connect the dots, understands your business, and loves the challenge of driving efficiency. Bonus points if they can code! These are the folks who will take your test engineering efforts to the next level. The team need not be big, these are the pillars and make sure that you can provide stability.

Keep them close to the action, preferably working alongside your business teams. Whether they’re passionate about test engineering as a career or see it as a stepping stone, invest in their growth. Train them, support them, and—if they’re ready to move on in a year or two—make sure they’ve groomed someone to take their place.

2. Lean on Your Product Owners

I’ll be honest—this one isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Your business systems analysts (BSAs) and product owners (POs) need to take responsibility for the quality of their deliverables. In many shops, POs do minimal testing of new functionality, and automation becomes an afterthought.

Make them accountable for QA success. Yes, it will slow things down at first, but once you get the automation rolling, you’ll see dividends in both quality and speed. You can also engage superusers from the business as a force multiplier. It’s hard to do, but it’s worth it.

3. Leverage QA as a Service

Sometimes, it just makes sense to outsource. Regular regression testing, vendor patches, and follow-ups after every scrum release can all be handled more cost-effectively by partners. Look for vendors who offer “QA as a Service” with flexible models. Ideally, you can ramp up or down based on your needs, paying a small retainer to keep the service available.

If the vendor brings their own automation tools, even better! Just make sure the scripts and processes are well-documented and portable, so you can switch vendors or platforms if needed. Flexibility is key here and it is ideal if you do not have to spend upfront license fees but have the ability to scale up and down the Opex.

4. Select the tool that id right fit for you

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: tools and licensing costs. I’ve seen this go wrong too many times. Buying the most expensive tool without a plan is like owning a race car but not hiring a driver or pit crew. It just sits there.

There are some great options out there—Tricentis, Leapwork, Copado, Opkey, and newcomers like Aquila.ai (https://aquila.ai/) and ATTEST(https://www.myattest.com/) ?from Entegration. But the right tool for you depends on your specific needs. Here’s what I look for:

1. It should cover the basic automation functionality you need and integrate with your ITSM tools. Forget the bells and whistles.
2. Make sure your test cases can be exported in a portable format that works on other platforms.
3. Stay within your budget. Don’t overspend on a tool that’s overkill for your organization.
4. Find a vendor that’s flexible, hungry, and willing to bend over backward for your success.
5. If you’re using QA as a service, choose a vendor that can support the tool cost-effectively.

Sometimes, simpler tools and motivated teams deliver better results than expensive, unused platforms.

Set Priorities and Manage Expectations

You can’t automate everything, and that’s okay. Focus on what matters most—critical applications, customer-facing functions, and downstream systems that are frequently impacted by upstream changes. Start small, prioritize high-value areas, and scale as you go.

And yes, I have to mention AI. Modern AI-powered tools can make a huge difference. They adapt to changes, accelerate script creation, and even predict potential issues. While I’m not a fan of buzzwords, it’s impossible to ignore the real value AI brings to testing.

Final Thoughts Test engineering isn’t just a support function—it’s a strategic asset. With the right people, processes, and tools, you can turn it into a competitive advantage. Embrace the challenges, invest wisely, and leverage innovative models like QA as a Service. Done right, test engineering will help your IT organization move faster, deliver better quality, and thrive in a world of rapid application changes

You can’t automate everything, and that’s okay. Focus on what matters most—critical applications, customer-facing functions, and downstream systems that are frequently impacted by upstream changes. Start small, prioritize high-value areas, and scale as you go.

And yes, I have to mention AI. Modern AI-powered tools can make a huge difference. They adapt to changes, accelerate script creation, and even predict potential issues. While I’m not a fan of buzzwords, it’s impossible to ignore the real value AI brings to testing.

Final Thoughts Test engineering isn’t just a support function—it’s a strategic asset. With the right people, processes, and tools, you can turn it into a competitive advantage. Embrace the challenges, invest wisely, and leverage innovative models like QA as a Service. Done right, test engineering will help your IT organization move faster, deliver better quality, and thrive in a world of rapid application changes

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