Performance testing is a very important part of testing where key parameters like response time, speed, reliability, and stability are tested. Before you go live with your system, it seems to be logical that you get a performance test done. The performance test would let you know how robust your system is and if it can handle real scenarios when users start working.
The key question
It has been almost an accepted norm that before going live, you need to ensure performance test is done. This has been practiced from a long time and is in fact considered sacrosanct. Not doing performance testing before go-live seems unthinkable. Most professionals would explain how performance testing helps in identifying performance-related issues that could have affect performance of the live application or system.
There are many who explain how performance testing can ensure the brand name is not affected. Some experts claim that performance testing is a proactive measure and following it would ensure greater user satisfaction leading to increased sales. There is no doubt that performance testing offers many benefits.
However, a key question that comes up is whether it is worth investing on hardware and other resources. This question becomes relevant in today’s scenario according Bahaa Al Zubaidi. We today work on the cloud, and it is possible to get additional hardware just by changing a policy. It is not so easy to create test environments at the size or scale to match the complexity of the application. So, is it really required to carry out performance testing just before going live?
Answering the question
Since most applications nowadays are on the cloud, the op-ex route can be used for maintaining the applications. There may really not be much value added by going in for early performance testing. Further, it is possible to release fixes to production as soon as the issues arise. As a result, even clients nowadays tend to question the value of doing an in-depth performance test prior to going live.
Should the test be done before going live or after? Or is it not required to do performance testing? The answer to this depends on the culture of the organization. The organization’s culture should help them decide issues like whether brand identity is important or business criticality. Similarly, whether timelines matter more or market introduction needs to be worked out.
Based on the culture and also the context involved, a decision needs to be taken. The right kind of performance tests need to be chosen keeping the context in mind. Thank you for your interest in Bahaa Al Zubaidi blogs. For more information, please stay tuned to www.bahaaalzubaidi.com.