July 29, 2024

Avoiding a Global Outage Through Workflow Testing: The TransIT Advantage

by Tamara Pomerantz

We've all heard about the global IT outage on July 19, and many of us were impacted, or know someone who was. This incident, attributed to faulty software code released by CrowdStrike and described as more devastating than a cyber or ransomware attack, led to worldwide widespread disruptions.

The outage has emphasized the critical importance of rigorous workflow testing prior to deploying a change.

Anyone who fails to validate code design and implementation through process workflow testing could experience similar disruption, though hopefully not on as grand a scale of the CrowdStrike case.

The Incident

The global IT outage was triggered by a flawed software update that failed to undergo adequate testing and quality checks, resulting in catastrophic system crashes globally. Experts highlighted that the update likely skipped crucial testing processes. As reported by Time, David Brumley, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, stated this incident resulted from inadequate testing without sufficient screening for negative impacts.

Many organizations, whether they are software developers or software consumers, frequently update their code and/or make configuration changes. These updates can conflict with other programs and process workflows if not properly tested. This recent incident revealed how integration of software and processes can cause system-wide failures if not rigorously evaluated.

How it Could Have Been Avoided - Lessons Learned

A simple workflow testing approach that verifies the real-world process, starting from the initial steps of installing the update on the major host operating systems known to run the code, would have easily prevented the issue being touted by NBC News as the "largest global information technology outage in history."

Workflow Testing is Essential

MAKE Solutions understands the vital role of comprehensive testing in preventing such failures.

MAKE’s TransIT software is designed to help anyone who needs to validate a change in code or software configuration. TransIT allows organizations to create, execute, and document workflow testing to ensure any update is rigorously evaluated before deployment.

Key features provided by TransIT include:

End-to-End Workflow Testing: TransIT software enables users to design and execute comprehensive testing across the entire process, from update installation to validation of all integrated system and end user workflow processes. This ensures that any potential issues are identified and resolved before reaching end users.
Customizable Testing Scenarios: Users can create detailed, customizable testing scenarios to catch potential bugs and conflicts. This includes simulating real-world conditions and user interactions to ensure seamless integration.
Managed Testing: TransIT facilitates controlled testing rounds, enabling efficient validation and documentation. This supports careful quality assurance monitoring and quick resolution of any issues before a full-scale rollout.

Specific Benefits of TransIT Workflow Testing:

Minimized Downtime: By thoroughly testing updates in real-world scenarios, TransIT significantly reduces the risk of system failures and downtime and workflow or process issues, ensuring continuous operation.
Improved Reliability: Comprehensive workflow testing ensures that all components of the software, devices, integrated systems, and end user processes work harmoniously, enhancing overall system reliability.
Enhanced User Experience: Rigorous end-to-end testing ensures that changes and updates are smooth and transparent to users, maintaining a positive and uninterrupted user experience.

Conclusion: How MAKE Solutions Can Help

The recent global IT outage underscores the necessity for robust and reliable testing. MAKE’s TransIT testing software provides the tools you need to conduct thorough workflow testing, ensuring that you can rely on your IT systems. By prioritizing end-user processes in workflow testing, MAKE Solutions provides a higher testing standard, helping to prevent software code and configuration failures.

TransIT is the comprehensive solution for quality workflow and application testing; providing workflow development and tracking, the creation of modular test script, test round resource planning and scheduling, and test execution, along with integrated issue logging, script flagging, and dashboard tracking features.

Visit MAKE Solutions and explore the Testing ROI Calculator to see the substantial savings your organization can quickly achieve.

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