Automating Complex Workflows in Cloud-Based Applications: Software Quality Assurance Process Driven Practices

Abstract

The rapid growth in the complexity of modern software systems has increased the demand for reliable, scalable, and high-performance cloud-based applications. Cloud-based software-intensive systems (C-SIS) provide a viable foundation for addressing these challenges by leveraging distributed computing, elasticity, and automation. This study investigates the role of software quality assurance (SQA)–driven automation in managing complex workflows within cloud-based applications. A cloud-native framework integrating automated workflow orchestration, continuous quality assurance, microservices, and containerization was designed and experimentally evaluated under varying workload and fault conditions. Performance, reliability, scalability, and quality metrics were systematically analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that SQA-driven automation significantly improves throughput, reduces response time degradation, enhances fault detection and recovery, and strengthens overall software quality. The findings highlight that embedding quality assurance practices into automated cloud workflows enables resilient, scalable, and cost-efficient application architectures. This study provides practical insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to design robust cloud-native systems capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern computing environments.