Testing is not a phase: Building quality into a transformation programme

Many of us share the painful and frustrating experiences of our testing expertise being engaged only in later phases of projects and programmes. This session shares how our organisation embedded a quality lens across its Transformation Programme by involving test and delivery specialists from the initial stages of strategy, design and procurement through to delivery and operations. Rather than treating testing as a final checkpoint, quality became a shared responsibility across business, technology, and vendor teams.

Who is this talk for?

This talk is for anyone involved in the planning, delivery and implementation of large-scale business or technology transformation, including:

• Test Leaders and Practitioners looking to influence up front to avoid or mitigate later risk and disruption.

• Programme and Project Managers responsible for governance, assurance and delivery outcomes.

• Business Analysts, Architects, Product Owners who influence solution quality from inception.

• Transformation and Executive Leadership who will see the benefits of involving delivery and test disciplines early in the process, particularly when managing multiple vendors.

What will attendees take away?

Real-world approaches to:

• Embedding quality strategy, people, and practices from inception and procurement through to delivery and operations

• Managing vendor accountability while retaining internal ownership of quality outcomes

• Measuring quality through business outcomes, risk reduction and operational readiness rather than defect counts