Client Background

The client is a leading South African life insurance and integrated financial services provider, operating across multiple business and planning units. Its diversified structure delivers a wide range of products and services, including investments, insurance, corporate, and international solutions. Guided by a federated operating model, each business unit functions independently while maintaining shared governance and strategic alignment. As a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, the organisation serves a broad and diverse customer base through multiple retail and specialist brands. This federated approach fosters accountability and innovation but also introduces complexity in achieving consistent testing and integration practices across the group.

Challenge

The client’s federated model created inconsistencies in testing standards and integration readiness. Each business unit employed different QA processes, resulting in challenges with:

• Alignment during integration testing.
• Limited visibility of QA maturity across teams.
• Lack of consistent automation and quality practices.
• Absence of centralised monitoring and measurement frameworks.

To deliver greater business value, the organisation sought to establish a unified QA framework that preserved autonomy while ensuring common testing standards and governance across all units.

Solution

Inspired Testing conducted a comprehensive QA Capability Review and created a prioritised map to elevate quality assurance maturity across all units while enabling effective integration testing.

Key solution elements:

• Discovery and Assessment: Conducted in-depth discovery sessions across business and QA teams to evaluate testing practices, automation maturity, and governance effectiveness.
• Governance Framework: Developed a centralised QA governance Framework with minimum standards and integration entrance criteria for all units.
• People, Process, and Technology Review:
  • People: Assessed team structures, collaboration, and upskilling requirements.
  • Process: Introduced standardised QA frameworks, automation, and continuous testing.
  • Technology: Evaluated toolsets, automation frameworks, and integration environment readiness.
• Monitoring and Measurement: Established metrics and KPIs to track maturity progress and ensure continuous improvement.
• Proof of Concept: Proposed validation of the framework in two squads before enterprise-wide rollout.

Implementation Approach

The structured approach followed six key phases:

• Discovery Sessions: Engaged stakeholders to map current QA landscapes.
• Maturity Assessment: Measured QA capability gaps and readiness for integration testing.
• Framework Design: Defined minimum QA standards and integration testing criteria.
• Roadmap Development: Built a five-year strategy focusing on automation, governance, and continuous improvement.
• Proof of Concept: Validated the framework in pilot squads.
• Change Management: Supported transition through communication, training, and coaching.

Results Before Implementation:

• Fragmented QA practices across units.
• Minimal automation and efficiency optimisation.
• No standardised integration entrance criteria.

After QA Capability Review:

Greater business value will be delivered across all business units through -

• the establishment of a unified QA governance model
• The integration of testing readiness standards.
• The introduction of structured monitoring and reporting for QA maturity.
• The enablement of collaboration and communication across all business units.
• Laying down the foundation for future-proof QA practices, which aligns with business value.

Business Impact

The initiative positioned the organisation to:

• Deliver consistent, integration-ready releases.
• Enhance stakeholder confidence through transparent QA governance.
• Improve test efficiency and speed via automation.
• Cost saving through consolidation
• Standardisation of practises
• Future-proof QA capabilities for the next five years.

Why Inspired Testing

• Specialised Expertise: A pure-play software quality assurance company with over 15 years of experience, delivering proven testing and consulting solutions across financial, insurance, and corporate sectors.
• Strategic QA Partner: Provides both tactical and strategic guidance, helping clients build scalable, future-proof QA frameworks aligned with business goals.
• Certified Excellence: ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials certified, ensuring robust information security and compliance with international standards.
• Proven Delivery Model: Combines technical precision with strategic delivery management, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and with measurable value.
• Tailored Solutions: Adopts a consultative approach — no off-the-shelf packages — offering flexible engagement and commercial models designed around specific client needs.
• Capability Building: Through the Inspired Testing Academy, empowers client teams with advanced training and upskilling in automation and modern QA practices.
• Innovation and Thought Leadership: Continuously invests in research, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to stay ahead of evolving QA trends.
• Global Reach, Local Insight: Operates across the UK, Europe, and Africa, combining international expertise with a deep understanding of local markets and enterprise environments.