QA and load testing in the cloud: automation as a game changer - more than just "it works"

Imagine jumping out of an airplane - and just hope that the parachute works. Sounds risky? Running cloud applications without automated QA and load tests is just as risky. In the dynamic world of the cloud, "it somehow works" is no longer enough. Does it work under load? Does it work after every update? Does it also work when the infrastructure scales spontaneously? If you don't have automated answers to these questions, you are being negligent. In this article, we show why QA and load testing in the cloud can no longer be an afterthought - and how automation is becoming a decisive success factor.

Why traditional QA and load tests can no longer keep up in the cloud

As we show in our Contribution to cloud migration have already emphasized: The cloud is dynamic, fast-moving - and it demands new approaches. Manual tests, as they work in traditional IT environments, quickly reach their limits here.
It's like trying to drive a tractor in a Formula 1 race: slow, cumbersome, completely out of place. Static QA processes are simply not suited to an environment in which infrastructure and code can change on a daily basis.

Automation is the key

In the cloud, QA and load tests must not only be thorough - above all, they must be automated, reproducible and fast. Why is that?

Speed wins: Fast releases are standard today. Automated tests ensure that changes can be checked and released quickly - without any loss of quality.
Ensure scalability: The cloud thrives on scalability. But what good is the best auto-scaling if the application collapses under load? Load tests help to prevent exactly that.
Recognize errors early: The earlier bugs are discovered, the cheaper and easier they are to fix. Automated tests sound the alarm immediately - saving time, money and nerves. This fits in with our approach of treating "everything as code" and continuously improving it.
Consistency through automation: Eliminate manual sources of error? Check. Consistent results in every environment? Also check. Automation delivers the reliability we need - as with IaC and Golden Images.

CI/CD & QA: The power duo

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) are the basis of modern software development - and therefore also of automated QA.

This is what the interaction looks like:

Every code commit automatically triggers tests: unit tests, integration tests, security tests, compliance checks.
If a test fails, the build is stopped immediately - and the development team receives direct feedback.
The result: a fast, continuous feedback loop that improves quality and shortens time-to-production.

QA test systems at the next level

At 35x, we go even further: our QA systems are deeply integrated into all processes - not only for application code, but also for infrastructure changes.

Everything is tested: Every build, every IaC change - everything triggers automated tests.
Quality decides: If tests fail, the build also fails. Only what is stable goes into production.
Transparency included: Detailed reports show at a glance where things are going wrong - and how they can be improved.

Load tests: performance meets cost awareness

Load tests in the cloud are not only there to test limits. They also help to find the perfect balance between performance and costs - a key point in the Well-Architected Framework.

Realistic scenarios: Synthetic load tests simulate user behavior - not theoretically, but in practice.
Optimize resources in a targeted manner: How many instances does a service really need? Which components are the bottlenecks? Load tests provide the answers.
Reproducibility counts: Automated load tests can be carried out as often as required - ideal for evaluating changes over time.

Automation is not a sure-fire success

Of course, QA automation also brings challenges:

Test coverage: Which tests offer the greatest added value? Experience is required here.
Test environments: The setup can be particularly complex with microservices.
Data management: Generating and maintaining realistic, reliable test data remains a challenge.

But these hurdles can be overcome - with the right tools, processes and a clear focus.

QA and load tests are cloud strategy!

Quality assurance is not a "nice-to-have" in the cloud, but a central element of any sustainable strategy.
Automation not only makes QA and load tests faster and more efficient, but also scalable, traceable and reliable.
Those who implement QA correctly can not only minimize risks, but also accelerate development, optimize costs and exploit the full potential of the cloud.