Challenge
A prominent health plan serving millions of members faced multiple, interrelated challenges that were impacting its efficiency and profitability. Key among these was a lengthy end-to-end (E2E) and user acceptance testing (UAT) cycle that extended up to eight weeks per release. This drawn-out testing period meant the health plan could only manage three production releases per year, severely limiting their ability to roll out new features and improvements at a competitive pace. Compounding this issue, their automation coverage was only 25%, leaving most testing processes manual and time intensive. Consequently, approximately 12% of defects were only identified post-deployment, resulting in costly fixes, potential disruptions in service, and a negative impact on the user experience.
Recognizing the need for a strategic transformation in their quality assurance (QA) approach, the health plan partnered with Emids to overhaul their QA processes, aiming to streamline testing, increase automation, and improve release frequency without compromising quality.
Solution
Emids implemented a robust QA transformation program designed to address these specific challenges and create a scalable, high-quality QA ecosystem. The transformation was grounded in a deep understanding of the client’s unique testing requirements and was executed through several targeted strategies.
QA Best Practices & Quality Tracking
Emids established and enforced stringent QA standards to ensure consistency across all testing phases. These best practices created a foundation for thorough quality tracking, allowing the health plan to monitor the effectiveness of their QA processes at each stage. With these standards in place, Emids was able to increase the reliability and quality of every release.
Automated Backlog Management
Emids deployed a centralized team focused on identifying and prioritizing backlogged tasks for automation, enabling the health plan to address pending issues and eliminate bottlenecks more effectively. By reducing manual effort, the team helped streamline the testing workflow, making the process faster and more efficient.
Automated Execution and TestingÂ
Emids committed to significantly increasing automation coverage within the QA process, ensuring that all core functionalities and new features underwent automated testing before release. This automation framework guaranteed consistency in testing, reduced human error, and minimized manual interventions, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of the testing process. This approach not only accelerated release cycles, but also delivered high-quality, reliable products to market with each deployment.
Data Obfuscation for Security and Compliance
To safeguard sensitive member information, Emids implemented advanced data obfuscation techniques, anonymizing production data used in development and QA environments. This step significantly reduced the risk of data exposure, ensuring that all testing adhered to industry standards for data security and compliance.
Self-Service Test Data Generation
Emids introduced a self-service utility that allowed QA teams and developers to generate test data on demand. This tool streamlined the testing process by empowering teams to quickly access the data they needed without dependencies, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Outcome
The QA transformation initiative delivered measurable, impactful results for the health plan, substantially improving both operational efficiency and product quality. The following key outcomes demonstrate the impact of the initiative.
Faster Time to Market
By reducing the end-to-end testing duration by 25%, Emids enabled the health plan to accelerate its release cycle. This reduction allowed the health plan to introduce two additional production releases annually, improving their competitive positioning and responsiveness to market demands.
Increased Efficiency and Defect Reduction
With enhanced QA processes and increased automation coverage, the defect rate in production was significantly reduced. Late defect identification dropped by 70%, resulting in fewer post-deployment issues and improved product reliability. This reduction in defects also led to enhanced user satisfaction and decreased maintenance costs.
Enhanced Automation Coverage
Automation coverage rose dramatically, reaching 75% of the testing processes. This was achieved through the development of a more robust automation framework, featuring reusable components that improved productivity and efficiency by 40%. As a result, the health plan benefited from faster, more reliable, and more scalable QA processes.
Through this QA transformation, Emids empowered the health plan to deliver high-quality products more efficiently and with greater speed. The strategic improvements in quality assurance processes provided the client with a scalable solution that supported rapid growth, reduced operational risks, and positioned them for long-term success in a dynamic healthcare market.
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