The Study 2011

Growth market for software testing

Three quarters of companies can envisage using an external test centre. This is shown by the latest PAC survey into the market for the testing and quality management of software, its factors for success and service providers.

The study, which was commissioned by SQS Software Quality Systems, found that the majority of companies are either already working on optimising their testing activities or are planning to do so through measures such as the further standardisation of software testing. Companies are increasingly engaging external test service providers in order to achieve their quality targets and reduce costs. The majority of the companies surveyed are seeking to achieve 'blended service delivery', which provides a mixture of on-site and offshore or nearshore test services.

PAC (Pierre Audoin Consultants) specialises in the analysis of IT markets. The company conducted the survey in spring 2011 and its analysts spoke to over 270 business and IT decision-makers in Europe and the USA. The companies interviewed each have a workforce of 1,000 or more employees and IT teams comprising at least 100 employees.

A summary of the study is available as a Compact Paper here: