Client Background

The client is one of the UK’s leading universities, recognised for its commitment to innovation in digital learning and enterprise technology. With a complex portfolio of in-house and third-party systems, the institution’s testing function plays a key role in ensuring operational stability, student experience, and compliance across critical business applications.

Challenge

Over the past decade, the university’s testing function had evolved from traditional, in-house software validation to managing a diverse landscape of externally hosted, third-party integrations. This transition created challenges including:

• Heavy reliance on manual functional testing, limiting scalability
• Inconsistent test planning and late tester engagement in project cycles
• Limited automation and API testing capabilities
• Fragmented use of tools across Jira and Azure DevOps
• Lack of structured training, peer review, and measurable KPIs
• Expanded need for Non-Functional Testing practices.

The perception of testing as a “necessary step” rather than a strategic enabler further constrained collaboration and long-term maturity.

Solution

Inspired Testing executed a QA Capability Assessment which followed a structured three-phase approach, focusing on People, Processes, and Technology. The recommendations provided by Inspired Testing were carefully selected to ensure that they were achievable by the university, with a real focus on the best return in investment possible.

The following recommendations were developed:

• Short-Term (0–6 months)
  • Standardise test planning and defect management frameworks
  • Deliver formal Azure DevOps (ADO) training
  • Introduce structured retrospectives and visibility planning
  • Begin foundational automation through the recruitment of an Automation Engineer
  • Initiate AI Co-Pilot trials to accelerate testing and support shift-left adoption

• Medium-Term (6–12 months)
  • Establish a formal Training and Career Growth Plan
  • Expand automation to include regression and performance testing
  • Introduce Hyper-Care post-release feedback loops
  • Enhance collaboration between testers, Business Analysts, and Solution Architects
  • Implement Power BI dashboards for KPI tracking and transparency

• Long-Term (18+ months)
  • Fully integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines
  • Embed risk-based governance and DevOps alignment
  • Implement continuous improvement cycles and test maturity governance
  • Strengthen monitoring for third-party integrations through API contract testing

Results Before the Assessment

• Manual regression cycles delays project delivery
• The university’s siloed tooling and inconsistent test planning cause limited visibility and uneven testing outcomes.
• Limited performance and API testing reduce early defect detection and confidence in system reliability.

Results to be Achieved After the Assessment

• Standardised and transparent QA processes across projects
• Full adoption of ADO for unified test management
• Early tester engagement embedded in delivery lifecycles
• Automated regression packs implemented in priority systems
• Real-time dashboards established for defect trend analysis and test KPIs
• Improved understanding of the testing process by the whole department.
• Increased confidence in the test team and their ability to support delivery.

Business Impact

• Improved Release Quality: Early involvement of testers reduced post-release defects by ensuring alignment with development sprints.
• Increased Efficiency: Standardisation and automation cut manual testing time and improved throughput.
• Enhanced Visibility: Dashboards and metrics provide real-time insights into testing effectiveness and monitor improvement over time.
• Cultural Shift: Testing isevolving from a support role to a strategic quality partner within IT delivery.
• Sustained Maturity: A long-term roadmap enables continuous improvement and governance for third-party integrations.

Why Inspired Testing

• Extensive experience in QA capability and developing maturity assessments across large, complex organisations.
• Has a clear, phased roadmap approach to improve people, process, and technology within the QA function.
• Combines strategic consultancy with hands-on delivery expertise to ensure practical, achievable outcomes.
• Delivers independent, objective insights into existing challenges and opportunities for QA improvement.
• Recognised for their collaborative approach, ensuring alignment with internal teams and organisational goals.
• Provides, structured, standards-based assessments aligned with ISTQB and ISO quality frameworks.