Nov 14, 2013 (Thu): Malaysia’s software testing industry is picking momentum for growth and it is prudent for industry players, thanks largely to the intervention programme to promote appreciation and adoption of Software Quality Assurance (SQA) practices and to facilitate the creation of environment conducive for industry growth.
Nevertheless, industry players must play their cards right to keep the momentum going and drive the industry towards self-sustainability. This must be done now as intervention programmes, by design, will eventually be reduced to the minimum, if not totally ceased.
Greater details will be revealed at the forthcoming Software Testing Straight Talk (STST) 2013, a national-level forum on software testing. The forum, to be held at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel on 19 and 20 November, will also provide the platform for relevant and interested parties give feedback on existing programmes and prove input for future development programmes.
Having the theme of Realising the Ecosystem, STST 2013 is jointly organised by the Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB), the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and Standards Malaysia under the patronage of Malaysia Software Testing Hub (MSTH) initiative. The annual forum was first introduced in 2010.
Since 2009, various programmes have been introduced under the MSTH initiative, a Public-Private collaboration helmed by MSTB.
MSTB President Mastura Abu Samah explained that the programmes have been rolled out with the objectives of developing and enhancing all the elements necessary for a sustainable software testing ecosystem to take shape.
These include areas of capability development for current and future software test professionals, across-industries awareness, demand generation and supply market readiness; backed positive interventions such as incentives, policies and legal framework.
Through these programmes, significant developments have been achieved and more are expected to come. Most recent is the revision in the Public Sector IT Procurement guidelines where Independent Verification and Validation (IVV) for software is to be included in IT projects by government organisations. This certainly augurs well for the growth of the industry.
“We are definitely seeing a growing demand for certified software testers as evident by several open tenders having specific requirements on IVV services. In anticipation of further growth in demand, we are working to ensure that there is a healthy supply of services to meet this demand through the MSTH IVV Cluster development programme,” said Mastura.
She added that the ecosystem is starting to take shape and the momentum must be continued. Stakeholders must to play greater role to ‘stitch’ the ready components into a sustainable ecosystem.
“Moving forward, refinements are necessary and new initiatives may be needed. STST forum is the platform for stakeholders to highlight their needs and interests. They should take the opportunity to provide input for these refinements and new plans.”
STST will be held from 19 November 2013 to 20 November 2013 at Putrajaya Marriot Hotel.
