Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Test Automation

    How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Test Automation

    To stay competitive, organizations must accomplish the trifecta of quality, cost, and speed. Software developers are attempting to do just that with test automation, Agile, DevOps, and continuous testing, but automated tests are huge enablers when it comes to agility. 

    While test automation saves time, costs, and efforts by improving efficiency, many organizations struggle with measuring its overall effectiveness.

    Test automation can be expensive, but if you develop the right set of metrics for measuring its output, you can accurately assess its value.

    Evaluation 1: Why is Test Automation Suitable?

    Test automation is suitable in cases where companies want to improve their return on investment.

    Through automation, manual testers have more free time to fix complicated issues, which increases their speed and efficiency. Plus, test automation cuts down on human error.

    Evaluation 2: When is Test Automation Suitable?

    Depending on the size or complexity of your project, test automation isn’t always suitable. However, test automation software should be implemented if your application functions smoothly, and its functionality must be tested regularly with a high level of accuracy.

    Evaluation 3: What Affects the Effectiveness of Test Automation?

    Although putting your testing protocol against specific metrics is essential, there are a few things that can affect the effectiveness of tests that organizations can account for:

    • Frequency of Tests Run
    • Tester’s Experience
    • Data-Driven Testing
    • Tools Cost
    • Cost of Tests Suite Preparation
    • Analysis and Maintenance

    Remember that automation is a long-term investment, so you may not see results initially. Through high-quality tools, frequent tests, and experienced testers, you’ll improve the effectiveness of your test automation strategy much quicker than with sub-par methods.

    Metric 1: Does Test Automation Save You Time?

    The increased popularity of Agile and DevOps has created a need to execute regression tests daily or twice daily.

    To keep up with this need, teams have begun to invest in test automation to reduce testing time, leading to more frequent updates and released projects.

    Time saved is money saved, so calculating a system’s effectiveness will translate into whether your testing protocols are efficient.

    Time saved is the difference between manual executions and automation executions plus fragility because updating scripts (fragility) can take up a lot of time. 

    Time Saved = Manual Execution – (Automation Execution + Fragility)

    You can’t truly eliminate manual tests, but you can improve the output of your automation execution to decrease time spent on manual implementation.

    To improve fragility, you also need to improve test automation to reduce time wasted on fixing and updating test scripts. 

    Metric 2: Does Test Automation Save You Effort?

    Calculating effort saved includes understanding how much effort it would take to execute the same tests without automation. To calculate efforts saved, use Equivalent Manual Test Effort:

    If an automated test (Test A) would take 6 hours to run manually, its EMTE is 6 hours. If another automated test (Test B) would take 8 hours to run manually, its EMTE is also 8 hours. If Test A is run seven times a day, and Test B is run four times a day, then:

    6*7 hrs + 8*4 hrs = 42 + 32 = 74 hours EMTE

    You can also convert EMTE into costs saved by multiplying the tester’s average hourly rate. Assuming that the tester’s hourly rate is $40, you save 74*40 = $2,960 within a test sprint. 

    Metric 3: Does Test Automation Reduce Risks?

    Test case effectiveness determines the efficiency of test cases executed by the automated test suite. It’s a metric that determines the quality and value of each test case you add.

    Test Case Effectiveness = (Number of Defects/Number of Automated Cases Run) x 100

    Automated tests often don’t have a high bug detection percentage, but if the same tests are repeated multiple times, the software won’t find new bugs. Test case effectiveness can avoid pesticide paradox when measured for a period, so update your testing suite frequently.

  • Top Sales And Operations Planning Tips That Your Business Needs

    Top Sales And Operations Planning Tips That Your Business Needs

    It is crucial that businesses have a plan in place for their sales and operations. Sales are the lifeblood of any business, and without them, there are no operations. Operations are what allow a company to bring in revenue. Planning is what helps a company to ensure that both are delivering what they should be. Without this type of planning, it can be difficult to stay on track and achieve success. This article provides helpful tips for developing an effective plan. Make sure you do not miss out on this important information!

    What Is Sales And Operations Planning (S&OP)?

    S&OP is a process that companies use to ensure that they are meeting their goals. Ideally, the company has already determined what those goals are, as well as some strategies for achieving them. The sales and operations planning process help to identify which of those strategies would be the most effective in helping the company to reach its objectives. With the right strategies in place, it will be easier for the business to reach its goals. This is because there will be clear steps that need to be taken, and every person involved knows what their role needs to be.

    S&OP involves everyone who has a part in the process, including the employees, marketing team members, and upper management. With everyone involved, it becomes possible to create an effective plan that ensures the business meets its goals. When everyone is on the same page, it will be easier for them to work together to achieve success with their company. In order for this process to be successful, engagement from all parties is a must.

    What Steps Are Involved In Planning?

    The planning process includes forecasting, demand and supply planning, and executive review.

    • Forecasting helps the company to decide how much production is needed, which can then be translated into demand. The forecasting process begins with identifying who the target audience of the business is and understanding their wants and needs. This will help to determine how products should be marketed, what sells well, what doesn’t sell as well, etc. Once this is done, it can be determined how much demand there will be for the products. The business then needs to determine how many resources are needed to meet this demand. The forecasting process should produce numbers not only on present demand, but future supply needs as well.
    • Once the above information has been determined, the company can prepare for the S&OP meeting. This is where the demand needs are met with supply, which can have an effect on the overall production process. The S&OP meeting should include someone who keeps inventory levels in check so that there are no shortages or overstocks. As a result, the company should always have just enough inventory to meet the demands of their customers.
    • The executive review is another step in the S&OP process that ensures that everything runs smoothly. This part of the process involves upper managers and businesses conducting an evaluation and asking questions about strategy execution. If there are any changes that need to be made, they can do so at this time. Also, if there is any new information that has come to light, such as a breakthrough in marketing or new production techniques, the company can make those changes as well.

    How Can You Improve Your S&OP Process?

    As with any other process, there are always better ways to make the S&OP process more effective. 

    Create A Standardized Process With The Right Technology

    When a business begins to implement S&OP, it can be difficult for them to know where they are supposed to go. If there is no clear plan in place, this process can take the company off course. Without the proper guidance, businesses may fall behind or even be unsuccessful at implementing S&OP. 

    The right technology can assist with the planning process by providing a platform that shows where the company is in terms of meeting its goals and objectives. The technology also makes it easier for businesses to see what they need to work on and which strategies will help them reach their objectives. This technology can be used to gather data, analyze results, and make plans.

    Involve Suppliers Early On The Project

    With today’s competitive business environment, it is important for businesses to stand out. One way that they can do this is by establishing strong supplier relationships. When suppliers are involved in the planning process, it allows for better communication and helps to foster positive interactions between them. With these good relations, the company will be more likely to receive quality products in a timely manner. This can help them avoid any stock-outs, which could result in the loss of customers who are looking for items to buy.

    Prepare For Change As Needed

    It is important to understand that anything can happen at any time. If changes need to be made to the S&OP process, the company should be willing and able to do so in a timely manner. Those who make plans need to realize that things can go wrong, and they should always have a plan B ready in case it does.

    S&OP Planning Should Be In The Center Of Your Business

    S&OP is not something that should be done on a whim or as an afterthought. The process needs to become part of the business, and it should be used to influence every decision that the company makes. Since a good S&OP process has a clear impact on key performance indicators and financial statements, it must be led from the top as an integral part of how the company is operated.

    S&OP is an integral part of any company’s success. When it works, companies are able to plan for the future and make decisions that will positively impact their KPIs and financial statements. To create a successful S&OP process, businesses should work with suppliers early on in the project to foster positive relationships, be prepared to change as needed if circumstances require it, have a standardized process with the right technology at hand that tracks progress towards goals and objectives, and ensure this process becomes central to all decision-making within your organization.

  • The Different Types Of Investments And How To Choose

    The Different Types Of Investments And How To Choose

    This article will outline the types of investments available to everybody. It will explain which ones are best for different purposes. You can choose one or more types that suit your needs and risk profile. As always, be sure to do your own research into any type of investment you consider before committing money.

    Gold

    Some people prefer to invest in precious metal because it is not affected by inflation nor its market affected by political decisions, unlike other currencies. Gold has become a versatile asset in recent years, which makes buying gold bars online from a reputable gold IRA company no longer complicated. It’s also a liquid asset, which means that you can sell at any time and get cash for your investments. Gold is often used as a hedge against stock market crashes since a lot of investors seek out this kind of security when times are bad. Countries with weaker monetary policies might have problems with inflation too, so owning something like gold can be very useful.

    Stocks  (stocks, shares, securities)

    These generally offer a great return on investment, but risks are present as well. They can be considered short-term or long-term investments, depending on how long you buy them for. Stock is also used as a synonym for sharing in some parts of the world (especially America). Buying a stock means owning part of a company and becoming an owner rather than just being a customer.

    The first stock market was opened in 1698 at the Exchange Coffee House in London. At one point, a panic sold spread across Europe and caused a complete collapse of the market. This was not a problem for people who actually owned shares, however, since they could simply go to their broker and demand that he sell them instantly. These days, all stock markets have been connected, so you can buy from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. In many cases, you don’t even need to visit your broker’s office face-to-face anymore, as most transactions are now possible online only. Many brokers offer ‘paperless trading’ meaning that you can place buy/sell orders without having to do it physically, using just a computer.

    Real estate  (real property, real assets)

    This is probably the most common type of investment. It seems to attract a lot of people because it’s possible for almost anyone to get involved, but also due to the fact that housing prices tend to keep going up.

    Property can be an individual house/flat/villa or even multiple houses. There are various types of ownership arrangements too, with some having management fees/maintenance costs associated with them while others don’t. If you choose to rent your property, you might also make other income off it if there are tenants living in it. This kind of arrangement needs more work though compared to simply owning a simple flat/house without any extra duties attached. The thing with real estate is that you can also buy it, leave it there, and wait for the price to go up (since demand sometimes outweighs supply). Many people like buying a property because of this reason: they can get into a new line of work and still don’t need to worry about their investment.

    Cash

    This includes anything which can be used as an alternative to money. It doesn’t necessarily have to exist in a physical form either, since some assets do not fit into any other category (for example derivatives or insurance contracts). Trading these means taking risks by betting on whether something will happen in the future, but there’s no actual transfer of ownership involved when you make a trade. A lot of analysts and traders work on the futures market as well as forex.

    Bonds  

    These are loans where someone borrows money from an investor, promising to pay it back in the future with interest. Investors like this because they get their money back (and hope for extra profit if the borrower does well) while borrowers like it because they can get cash quickly and don’t have to pay too much in interest rates. When you invest in bonds you need to make sure that you will earn enough interest off them, otherwise, your investments might take too long before paying off (or even worse not at all). It is possible for corporations or government agencies to issue bonds, so this type of investment is often used by them to raise money.

    Derivatives

    These are not assets per se; they are rather contracts between two parties. They can be traded on the futures market and some even act as policies. Back when you see on movies or hear about someone insuring their car, then that’s basically what it means. Buying an insurance contract means that if something bad happens (such as your car getting stolen) then the company will compensate you for it according to the conditions in the agreement. When starting with trading, you should choose a couple of currencies whose price goes up and down. If one currency goes up, another might go down at the same time because there is no such thing as a one-way market. Learn how to read charts and use indicators, so you’ll have a better idea about the trends in the market, too.

    Short-Term Investments

    A short-term investment refers to any investment that is done with funds that are set aside for an amount of time less than one year, such as several weeks or months. Examples of short-term investments include stocks traded through a brokerage account, certificates of deposit (CDs), government bills and bonds, mutual funds, etcetera. When considering making a short-term investment, it is important to understand the risks involved with such an endeavor. It is possible to lose money if the short-term investment does not yield a sufficient return or, worse yet, if it becomes necessary to sell said investment before you had anticipated.

    Long-Term Investments

    A long-term investment refers to any investment that is done with funds that are set aside for an extended period of time, usually at least one year or longer. Examples of long-term investments include purchasing real estate property, investing in stocks through a brokerage account, purchasing certificates of deposit (CDs), government bonds, mutual funds, money market accounts, etcetera. When considering making a long-term investment, it is important to set stipulated goals that must be met in order to realize a return on your investment. For example, when investing in real estate property, it is important that the property is located within an area with a high potential for appreciation.

    There are several different types of investment opportunities that you should consider before making a final decision on where to spend your money. When planning an investment strategy, it is important to make sure you spend your time and money wisely. Time is valuable because once something has been done, it cannot be undone; therefore, it is not to rush into any investment without carefully considering your options. In addition, most investments will require a significant amount of time and effort on your part before the fruits of your labor begin to pay off. It is best to approach an investment decision systematically rather than impulsively, so you can be sure to get the biggest bang for your buck.

  • How To Get The Most Out Of Your Finances

    How To Get The Most Out Of Your Finances

    There are steps all of us can take to better improve our finances, from cutting back on spending habits to working on paying off debt. The first step is building on your knowledge of handling finances and improving your money habits. If you’d like to learn more about how to do this, then take a look at the post below. We’ve listed some of the essentials to understanding your finances, as well as some tips for how to get the most from your money.

    Budgeting

    Budgeting is essential to get the most from your income. If you fail to budget correctly and keep track of your finances, it can lead to you losing track of the money exiting your account. Poor budgeting skills are also closely linked to difficulty being able to make savings, as the two go hand in hand. Budgeting involves setting specific amounts of your income for certain areas of spending. For example, you would have a certain amount of your income set aside for savings, food shopping, utilities, and rent or mortgage payments.

    Make Use Of Modern Tools

    These days there are plenty of apps out there that can help you save your business money and have better control of your finances. You can even find banking apps that feature built-in overviews of your spending habits. You can utilise this as a sort of easy budget planner. As the different payments you’ve made on your card get sorted into different sections (such as shopping, entertainment, food) you will be able to better control your spending habits and know what to cut back on.

    Reducing Monthly Bills And Unnecessary Spending

    From your budgeting, you will be able to find areas where you can afford to cut back. These are commonly monthly subscriptions to TV and film, eating out, and clothes shopping. Whilst these things are nice to have, they should not be taking up a large portion of your income. Prioritise paying bills, paying off debt, and making savings. From what you have left after that, you’ll be able to work out your budget for treats and rewards.

    Also read: How to Find Best Financial Advisor?

    Loans And Borrowing Money

    There are different types of loans for different purposes. For example, a mortgage is classed as a long-term loan, or you can get business loans. One of the most commonly used short-term loans are pay day loans. They are often used if someone doesn’t have the money set aside in savings to help them through a financial sticky patch. If you’re thinking of using pay day loans, you should make sure you’re able to pay back the money within the time outlined in the terms and conditions. Therefore, they should not be seen as a long-term solutions to financial struggles. Pay day loans can be useful if you need to pay for something but won’t have the money to do so until you get paid. In this situation, as long as you have plans in place to pay off the loan on time, then it’s fine to use.

    Paying Off Debt

    If you’re in debt, especially if it’s high interest, you should prioritise paying this off before working on building up savings (apart from an emergency fund which we will cover later in this post). The reason for this is that the more debt you have, and the longer you have it, the more interest you will be being charged so the more expensive the debt is. Prioritise paying off the debt as quickly as possible, then when it’s paid off the money you save from repayments can be used for making savings.

    Pay Bills On Time

    One of the best ways to avoid damaging your credit score and losing control of your finances is to make sure you pay bills on time. Try not to take on new bills and direct debits if you’re already struggling at the end of the month, it could end up with you getting into debt or stuck in your overdraft and unable to get out of it.

    Saving An Emergency Fund

    An emergency fund is savings set aside specifically for any unexpected financial rainy days. For example, if you unexpectedly lose your job or face a surprisingly large bill on your home or car. Ideally, an emergency fund should be several months’ worth of your monthly income. It can provide a safety net for you and your family in sudden financial difficulty, taking away from some of the day-to-day stresses of life. As soon as you get paid, put money straight into your savings account, this way you’ll be less tempted to spend it if it isn’t in your current account.

    Starting A Side-Hustle

    Another way to see your money grow is to start a side-hustle or passive income. If you already have an existing job, this should be something that works alongside your existing job and fits your lifestyle. It’s best to start up something you have a personal interest in, to help give you the kickstart you need and maintain your focus and drive. If you don’t want the responsibility of starting your own business, you could look into passive income streams, and which would work best for you.

    Did you know that you can grow your knowledge by reading? Start by reading some articles by Gordon Simmons.

    Should You Invest Your Money?

    One of the biggest questions around optimising finances is whether or not to invest our money or keep it stored safely in savings. This is something only you can decide for yourself, and needs to be given plenty of thought. On the one hand, investing your money opens up the opportunity for your money to work for you. But on the other hand, all investments come with some level of risk, and there’s the potential to lose money as well as make it. Before choosing to invest your money, you should educate yourself as much as possible on the type of investment you plan to make, or even seek expert advice and guidance. If done wisely, and with a bit of luck, investing can see your money grow from sitting idle in a savings account, to unlocking future returns and growth.

    Seek Opportunities To Educate Yourself On Finances

    If you want to have control of your finances, seek out opportunities to educate yourself and learn new finance skills. Read books, listen to podcasts, and attend training days. Actively taking an interest in improving your knowledge of managing your personal finances is a great step to take towards being responsible and successful with your money.

    Set Financial Goals

    The best way to stay focused on money whether it be to pay off debt, save money, or boost your income stream, is to have goals to work towards. This can help you to stay motivated on what you want to achieve from your personal finances. You should also have a plan for how you’re going to achieve your goals, such as budgeting or opening up a passive income stream. Also, set smaller targets along the way to your main goal. This will help make the end goal seem more achievable and less of a daunting prospect. You could even work rewards into it to help boost your morale. For example, once you’ve saved up a certain amount of money, you treat yourself to a meal out or a new purchase.

  • Cryptocurrency Investment: What do you need to know?

    Cryptocurrency Investment: What do you need to know?

    Cryptocurrency investment is a very popular term these days. Though there are still many who are not aware of what it means, cryptocurrency has become an inseparable part of our lives. Most people have heard that cryptocurrency investments are best for beginners because they can earn money at their own pace without having to deal with other things.

    Sample of cryptocurrency investments

    If you are trying to invest in things like Bitcoin, Ripple and Etherium but do not know enough about it then these articles can be of great help for you. Here we cover topics such as what cryptocurrency is and how people can earn money by investing in it by using things like using a bitcoin wallet. The article also gives an outline of the process and other important things that readers need to know about cryptocurrency.

    Risk of cryptocurrency investment

    Cryptocurrency investment is not as easy as it sounds, but if you are willing to put the time and effort required for it then you can be successful. We have covered many different topics about cryptocurrency investments which should help readers understand the topic better. However, before you actually invest in it or take part in any kind of cryptocurrency activity you must be aware that there are risks involved. These risks are related to the entire process. Although cryptocurrencies are very safe investments, they are not stable enough because many hackers have breached their security systems.

    How to invest in cryptocurrency safely?

    When it comes to investing in cryptocurrencies, there is no better way than cryptocurrency trading. There are several sites that allow people to start their own business and earn money through it. The process of this kind of investment is very simple, but you have to be aware of the right technique required for it.

    Cryptocurrency trading is the best choice for people who are interested in making profits through these kinds of investments. Without having to put too much effort into it, you can earn a lot of money by investing in cryptocurrencies.

    Where to buy cryptocurrency safely?

    There are many different options available for you when it comes to cryptocurrency trading. However, none of these sites is safe enough because no one can guarantee that the information they provide on their site is authentic or reliable. It is always better to invest in cryptocurrencies through some other method which may not be as easy but is definitely safer than most trading sites.

    Personally, I recommend you to use Luno.com (if you are buying cryptocurrency in Malaysia or Singapore) and use code “XE3CU” for an automatic RM25 credit or Crypto.com (with $25 credit) shall you prefer a much more international cryptocurrency site.

    Looking to buy dogecoin? There are many places that offer dogecoin purchases including Paybis!

    How can I earn money with cryptocurrency investment?

    Having a good understanding on cryptocurrency investment is very important, but you need to know where to invest in order to make some money. There are several different companies that offer people the option of investing in cryptocurrencies through them. However, most of these sites do not allow people from certain countries to participate in their business.

  • How To Start Affiliate Marketing In 2022?

    How To Start Affiliate Marketing In 2022?

    Affiliate marketing, or affiliate advertising as it is sometimes called, is a type of performance-based advertising where advertisers pay publishers to drive traffic and sales through their affiliate links. Publishers are eCommerce websites that may provide affiliate services to individuals that want to sell products related to their own website or business.

    Affiliate marketing is often compared to affiliate programs to affiliate networks, affiliate companies, affiliate software, and affiliate recruitment services.

    These are all closely related concepts that work together to help affiliate marketers earn money through affiliate advertising.

    This type of digital marketing involves advertisers paying affiliates for traffic or sales made using affiliate links. Affiliates who create high-quality affiliate content for different affiliate programs now have greater earning potential because affiliate advertising has become a significant part of affiliate marketing, which is growing as quickly as ever. It may not be as lucrative as the traditional affiliate marketing you find on affiliate websites, but it is possible to succeed.

    Is affiliate marketing right for me?

    Affiliate marketing can benefit anyone who wants to build a business or website. People who are good affiliate marketers may find affiliate marketing opportunities on affiliate sites, affiliate networks, affiliate recruiting services, and affiliate software.

    Affiliate advertising can help you make more money through affiliate programs by improving your earnings per click (EPC), conversion rate, affiliate referrals, and the average cost per acquisition (CPA). You will also be able to measure affiliate advertising campaigns for traffic, affiliate sales, and conversions.

    How to start an affiliate marketing business and become successful with it?

    To be a successful affiliate marketer you need the following:

    • Good affiliate marketing skills
    • A great affiliate program to promote
    • A website hosting account
    • A domain name for your affiliate site
    • High-quality affiliate content for your offer/website
    • An affiliate network to track affiliate referrals and payments.

    You can improve your affiliate marketing skills by learning how affiliate advertising works, where best to find affiliate programs, affiliate networks, and affiliate recruiting services.

    It’s also extremely helpful to keep an eye on affiliate software features that can help you improve affiliate referrals, affiliate conversions, affiliate commissions, and affiliate website traffic.

    Why is affiliate marketing a popular work from home solution?

    The best thing about affiliate marketing is that it can be performed from a home office with a small amount of effort and capital. You can build affiliate sites, do affiliate marketing and affiliate recruiting with as little as an affiliate program to promote, a website hosting account, and affiliate software.

    Your affiliate site needs to have good affiliate content for your affiliate program or offer. It also needs a great domain name so it ranks high on search engines. Once you have established a good reputation and affiliate site, you can start generating affiliate sales and affiliate referrals.

    Affiliate marketers should use affiliate software to increase affiliate website traffic and affiliate commissions. Software like OptinMonster is helpful for tracking affiliate advertising activity and affiliate website analytics, as well as affiliate network referral fees, affiliate recruitment services, and affiliate programs that pay best.

    How to start an affiliate marketing blog a.k.a. how to start affiliate marketing for beginners?

    • Find an affiliate program or offer you are interested in to promote.
    • Promote it on your website, social media, and email.
    • Track the traffic you send which will increase your affiliate sales.

    How to start a link-building campaign for your affiliate website?

    • Look for high-quality links from websites about the topic you are promoting.
    • Try reaching out personally to webmasters who will be interested in exchanging links with you.

    Summary about affiliate marketing

    Affiliate marketing is an easy to earn and easy to start work from home business idea in 2022. If you are looking to generate more income (or side income) this year, I recommend you to try affiliate marketing!