Apr 30th, 2020
Making The Case for Independent QA Teams
Continuously improving the quality and the usability of your software will greatly help to meet customer expectations and industry standards and this is where QA Teams comes into play. Here is a comprehensive guide on why Independent Software Testing will give your software a competitive edge.
Although Independent QA teams and development teams have the same goal of ensuring the security and quality of software, the impartiality of an independent QA sets them apart.
Developer testing is important and can serve as an antecedent for more meticulous testing such as Integration Tests. But according to Boriz Beizer, author of Software Testing Techniques, less than 5% of a programmer’s education involves testing. This means while unit testing is integral to the software’s success, it is not reliable enough to scrutinize the product for quality assurance (QA). There’s also no independence because a development team cannot identify and avoid possible performance-related and usability issues like someone who wasn’t involved in the design and development phases.
That’s because while a developer focuses on coding and delivering the software, a QA team wants to test for flaws, ensure it meets customers’; functional and usability expectations, market standards, and is secure.
Why Quality Assurance Is Important in Software Development
Neglecting quality assurance activities can lead to irreversible software development and business risks such as:
- Damaged company reputation
- Undetected bugs and code errors
- Huge financial losses
- Poor system security
- Unsatisfied end users
From project documentation to product testing and maintenance, quality assurance is important in every stage of the software development circle. Here are 3 reasons why:
Core Strategies for Application Modernization
Application modernization is a complex and continuous process that must be planned carefully. Here are five key application modernization strategies for your business:
1. Brings Discipline to the Software Development Process
The software development team is more likely to be attentive to details when there’s an independent team reviewing their work. It’s like knowing cameras are around you at the stoplight.
2. Ensures the Product is Competitive
An independent QA team ensures your product meets industry standards. Since the team will be present from the project documentation stage, they’ll have more understanding of what the market demands and how your product can measure favourably to the competition.
3. QA Makes Your Product Meet Customer Needs
An independent QA team aligns quality assurance goals with customer needs and not the development team’s goals. The QA team takes the place of the user, ensuring product performance and user experiences are in line with customer expectations.
What You Should Look Out For in an Independent QA Team
1. Lack of Bias
What makes independent testing is the lack of bias. During integration tests, testers often report to the development manager. But an independent QA team is free from such inhibitions and their review cannot be influenced.
2. Experience of Processes and Methodology
Experience in quality assurance, quality control, and software testing are crucial qualifications to look out for in teams providing software testing services. QA is preventive, QC is corrective and software testing is a subset of both. Since the QA process revolves around every stage of the software development, QA teams must have experience with the processes and methodology involved in these activities.
3. Knowledge of Testing Tools
Providers of QA testing services must have knowledge of automated testing, performance testing, usability testing, and security testing. For example, a tool like JMeter is great for performance testing because it allows the team to evaluate and monitor the performance of system components and verify software stability. Other tools like Selenium and Redmine can help to automate tests, detect bugs and ensure the product is ready for the market.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand that independent QA teams and software development teams are not rivals. They have a common goal of making the product secure, quality, and up to standards. The independence of a QA team eliminates bias and allows a critical review that is in the best interest of the product and the company”s reputation.
