Why Does Your First Test Take So Long?

In our latest LinkedIn poll, we asked: 

“How long does it take your team to build and run your first test on a new application?” 

The results were revealing:

  • 50% of respondents said under 15 minutes 
  • 8% said within a few hours 
  • 8% said 1–3 days 
  • 33% admitted it takes over a week

These aren’t just numbers. They reflect a very real set of challenges that teams across industries are facing every day. 

The Barriers Behind the Bottleneck 

So what’s stopping teams from getting that all-important first test up and running quickly? 

Complex or Unstable Applications 

Applications aren’t always in perfect shape when testing starts. Teams often deal with unfinished features, broken elements, or systems that require constant patching. 

Archaic or Difficult Platforms

Many businesses — particularly in regulated industries — still rely on legacy systems. Testing them can be time-consuming and often requires specialist support just to get started. 

Developer Dependence 

When automation is code-heavy, testers often rely on developers to implement scripts. That adds delay and increases overhead, especially when developers are stretched. 

Cross-Platform Complexity 

Delivering software across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux is now standard. But testing those environments efficiently, with consistency, is still a major challenge. 

Open-Source Limitations 

Open-source tools can be powerful, but they’re not always suited to complex business applications. Getting them working properly often requires heavy configuration and deep expertise. 

Set-Up Time

Even some commercial tools that promise “quick wins” can be difficult to install, configure and integrate into your existing workflows. 

What This Means 

This poll tells us one thing clearly: teams are still struggling to move quickly and confidently at the start of the test cycle. And that’s critical because delays at the start ripple through the rest of delivery. 

How T-Plan Helps 

At T-Plan, we’ve built a test automation platform specifically designed to tackle these challenges: 

  • Run your first test in under 15 minutes
  • No code required 
  • Supports iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux — all from one script 
  • Built for complex and legacy systems 
  • Faster adoption, lower overhead 

We’ve delivered this level of agility for both NHS and defence clients, where time, accuracy, and platform consistency are non-negotiable. 

Final Thought 

If your team is still waiting days, or even weeks, just to run that first test, it might be time to rethink your approach. 

Faster testing means faster feedback, fewer bugs, and more confident releases. 

Need to see it in action? Contact us for your free demo.

Free Demo

How long does your first test really take? Over 50% said longer than 15 mins

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