Ideas worth carrying forward
From Randy’s desk
Practical observations for testers, test leaders, and organizations that want software quality to create genuine value.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is worded roughly:
“Can you tell me what the industry standard tester-to-developer ratio is?”
My answer is “No, because there is no way to get an accurate measurement of such a ratio, especially across the IT industry where some organizations perform no independent testing at all.”
While this research is from 2012, I have been continuing to monitor this ratio. Interestingly, the findings are much the same. There is no consistent, identifiable “correct” ratio for testers to developers. The data is highly inconsistent. My conclusion remains the same: you can make just about any ratio work with the right balance of tools, people, and processes. What works for one organization will likely not work for you. Please consider the ratios mentioned as possible benchmarks, not recommendations!
Read article July 30, 2026