Why Independent Software Testing Matters
When digital applications and services are so important to business success, software quality is vital. Quality software can provide a great customer or user experience and increase customer satisfaction.
But, software with bugs has the opposite effect, it doesn’t just cause frustration, it can damage a company’s reputation and revenue, as well as increasing costs through reworking.
Shrinking Lead Times
The pressure to deliver software quickly to meet business demands or reduce time to market puts pressure on testers, which can lead to shortcuts and further quality problems.
As more development teams adopt agile techniques and DevOps processes, they demand rapid testing and feedback as part of the iterative develop/test/release cycle.
Pressure on In-House Resources
Given the pressure on time and budgets, businesses are unlikely to have a team of skilled testers on site to maintain the necessary momentum. In-house testers can be costly when hiring, training and salaries are taken into account.
In some companies, developers double up as testers, checking their own work. That leads to the main problem with in-house testing — a lack of complete objectivity, which mean bugs get overlooked.
In-house teams are also likely to use manual testing methods. These are slow and prone to the risk of human error. As a result, agile development teams may be frustrated by slow progress and also lack confidence to move to the next iteration because of the risk of bugs.
Access to Testing Excellence
Independent software testing firms offer a cost-effective alternative to in-house testing. They operate as centers of excellence, employing experienced, expert professionals utilizing industry best practice.
Businesses can draw on skills, resources and processes that are not available in their own teams. But, the more important benefit is objectivity. Independent firms take a completely objective approach to software testing.
Their aim is to find and eliminate any problems, and to look at software from the perspective of a user, rather than a developer.
Independent firms invest in high levels of automation, which can reduce testing lead times dramatically and help the development team accelerate their own progress. Automation also reduces the risk of human error, helping improve quality even further.
Comprehensive Approach
Independent testers take a wide-ranging approach to software quality. They review all parameters, including usability, ease of navigation, functionality, security and compliance with any relevant regulations.
Where necessary, independent testers work with customers and users to assess software and provide feedback on both performance and quality.
Cost-Effective Solution
Hiring an independent testing firm can help a business improve quality and reduce overall project lead times. It can also be a cost-effective solution, compared to in-house manual methods.
The costs of hiring an independent firm on a project basis are likely to be lower than the costs of recruiting and retaining full time in-house testers. There are also potential savings on rework costs caused by inadequate testing techniques. And, faster time to market with quality products can lead to increased revenue opportunities — a win-win situation.