We just throw people at the problem until it goes away
I was astonished when I reviewed the CI process of a promising scale-up with a complex technological product and found these instant red flags:
- GitHub actions that hadn't run for two years
- A testing suite with more tests failing than succeeding
- A passing build despite the failing test suite
Despite their low-quality build actions, this company didn’t face quality issues. Curious, I asked how they managed it. Without hesitation, they replied, “Whenever we're having quality issues, we add test engineers to our team.”
💸 The Hidden Costs of Manual Testing
It's an intriguing strategy that helped them grow, but it relies heavily on their ability to keep growing and maintain sufficient funding to support an increasing headcount. Manual testing by engineers is a recurring cost—you must continuously pay for these tests.
💪 The Power of Automation
Investing in automated tests allows you to do more with fewer people. These tests can be the lifeline that keeps you afloat during difficult times. It's like building a tireless quality control team that works 24/7. Once set up, automated tests:
- Catch bugs early, saving time and resources
- Ensure consistent product quality
- Allow your team to focus on innovation rather than repetitive tasks
💼 Future-Proofing Your Business
What happens when funding tightens, or market conditions change? Relying on manual testing could force you to compromise on quality when you can't maintain a large team. Automated tests, however, continue to safeguard your product's integrity even with a leaner workforce.
🚀 Empowering Your Tech Team
By investing in automation, you're not just saving money—you're enabling your tech team to work more efficiently and focus on high-value tasks that drive your business forward.
🤺 Challenge Your CTO
Is there a high ratio of test engineers versus software engineers on your technical team? Ask your CTO:
- Are we prioritizing long-term quality and stability?
- How are we balancing manual and automated testing?
- What's our plan for improving our CI pipeline and test suite?
💡 The Bottom Line
While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, investing in automated testing and a solid CI pipeline can help your team deliver higher-quality products faster and cost-effectively in the long run.
As a non-technical leader, it's crucial to understand and challenge your tech team's approach to quality assurance. It could be the difference between a startup that scales efficiently and one that crumbles under its weight.