A People-First Guide to Test Data Management

Ever waited so long for the right test data that your big, bold ideas started collecting dust? You’re not alone. The good news? There’s a better way.

Below is a people-first breakdown of how TDM can transform your development workflow, spark creativity, and keep regulators happy. Along the way, we’ll see how Accelario helps tackle these challenges head-on.

Treat TDM Like a Strategic Necessity (Because It Is)

According to Gartner, teams that treat TDM as an afterthought risk productivity and compliance. Regulations such as GDPR and the California Privacy Rights Act are cracking down on data misuse, and European authorities have issued €1.64 billion in fines since January 2022 alone.

Yet TDM isn’t just about avoiding fines. When developers trust their test data to be realistic and regulation-proof, they become more willing to experiment, test, and deploy new features. This sense of confidence can foster happier, more creative teams, something 53% of developers say they value most in their work environment, according to a Stack Overflow Survey.

Key takeaway: By bringing TDM to the top of your strategic to-do list, you not only safeguard user data but also inspire your engineers to deliver better, more innovative products.

Continuously Improve Your TDM Practices

Code evolves, data models shift, and compliance rules tighten. As per Gartner, in the “2024 Gartner Exploring the Intersection of Data, Analytics and Software Development Survey, only 26% of software and data leaders reported that their dedicated data platform teams included a test engineering role.”¹

Key takeaway: Make TDM an iterative exercise. Instead of patchwork fixes, invest in an ongoing process that becomes second nature for developers and testers alike.

Embrace Synthetic Data for Speed and Confidence

When real data is too sensitive or simply can’t capture every scenario, synthetic data can be a game-changer. Artificially generated but close to the “real thing,” synthetic data stands out because it helps you:

• Eliminate privacy concerns—by skipping the direct use of personal info.
• Save time and money—no manual data scrubbing or request forms needed.
• Test new or rare scenarios—that may never show up in real production.

This type of data is particularly useful in navigating ever-present compliance hurdles, helping your teams move faster while staying safe from regulatory risks.

Spotlight: Accelario

Among the TDM vendors mentioned by Gartner, Accelario offers a solution that generates fit-for-purpose test data without compromising privacy. By automating TDM processes, Accelario enables teams to spin up realistic datasets on demand, meeting strict compliance standards while letting developers stay focused on what they do best: coding and creating.

Bringing It All Together

We’ve all experienced how waiting on data or wading through red tape can deflate momentum. Fortunately, fresh TDM practices show us a better way:

• Make TDM central to your business strategy
  so that developers can spend their time building (not waiting).
• Continuously refine TDM
  with a simple “Plan, Do, Check, Act” approach that grows with your organization.
• Lean on anonymized data
  to free your teams from compliance anxiety and time sinks.

By integrating solutions like Accelario into your TDM approach, you can give your developers more time to do what they love, creating innovative features that keep your company one step ahead. And when you free your talent from the “hurry up and wait” cycle, the possibilities truly become endless.

For more in-depth analysis and guidance, please refer to Gartner’s original report “3 Steps to Improve Test Data Management for Software Engineering”.

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¹Gartner, 3 Steps to Improve Test Data Management for Software Engineering,  Ross Power, Alys Woodward, et al., 28 January 2025 (For Gartner subscribers only)
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