The significance of Quality Assurance (QA) testing has been highlighted more than ever in the present times, as it has been throughout the course of history. When we mention “testing”, we are referring to the meticulous evaluation of software quality, which is fundamental to numerous industries, including healthcare, security and manufacturing, all of which necessitate reliable and secure software to deliver their services. In order for these services to be delivered successfully, development teams put an absolute need on extensive QA testing.
If you are new to the process of software development and are curious about the components of Quality Assurance (QA) testing, our guidelines can assist you in integrating it into your organisation. These guidelines cover the fundamental principles and procedures that are essential for a successful implementation of QA into your business.
Dos
1. Communication is Key
It is crucial to establish a collaborative team effort for Quality Assurance rather than relying on a single individual. Working together in conjunction with software engineers and project manager, necessitates effective communication amongst all stakeholders, hence, making it an imperative factor for success.
To accomplish a successful software development cycle, it is crucial that each team member comprehends the strategy, objectives and responsibilities associated with the process. Quality assurance is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the Quality Assurance (QA) team; it is incumbent upon every team member. Each individual should be aware of their specific role and how it can contribute to the team’s overall success. Furthermore, team members should be cognisant of the optimal approach to reach out to one another as and when required.
In addition, the Quality Assurance (QA) team should strive to make the reporting and documentation process a collaborative effort, ensuring that software developers are notified of any problems that arise and the underlying reasons. Similarly, developers need to keep the QA professionals abreast of their progress and inform them of any difficulties they experience during project development.
2. Prioritize It at the Top.
It is important to conduct comprehensive testing to evaluate the effectiveness, usability and other attributes of your product. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there may be an overlap in certain tests during analysis, and hence, it may not be necessary to re-test basic features to the same extent. Doing so may inadvertently lead to the exclusion of critical details.
When developing your quality assurance strategy, it is crucial to identify priorities to guarantee that the most crucial elements of your product are given the highest consideration. This ensures that the most important features of your product are given the attention they require.
3. Commence Quality Assurance Early.
Typically, Quality assurance (QA) is conducted towards the end of the software development life cycle. However, maintaining efficient collaboration throughout the project’s duration is crucial to guarantee timely completion. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop a robust quality assurance plan to be implemented throughout the project.
To ensure comprehensive quality evaluation throughout the entire product lifecycle, the Quality Assurance and Development teams must collaborate to develop a comprehensive plan of action. This approach will facilitate the early identification and resolution of issues before they become significant hindrances, thereby enabling a timelier product rollout.
4. Perpetually Analyse
Conducting quality assurance testing in an ongoing and iterative manner is crucial. It is impractical to uncover every fault in a product prior to its release, hence the need for continual refinement and improvement over time. Furthermore, with newer versions featuring enhanced capabilities and requirements, the testing involved is bound to increase.
Prior to product release, it is essential to address and resolve any outstanding issues. Routine testing is a crucial practice in identifying potential issues, thereby enabling the product team to effectively address and resolve them within an appropriate timeline.
Avoid
1. Avoid automating for the sake of automation.
Instead of hindering and complicating the quality assurance process, automation should be utilized to accelerate it. Take the time to meticulously evaluate which tests can be automated. Typically, automating routine tests created once by a qualified QA professional, but requiring regular repetition is a recommended approach.
Thoroughly evaluate the investment in automation against the potential returns it could bring to your product. It is important to ensure that the automation implemented is beneficial to the product. Additionally, it is crucial to produce high-quality automated tests that comprehensively evaluate the functionality of your product.
2. Do not neglect manual testing.
A comprehensive quality assurance plan must include manual testing. Prior to any form of testing, regardless of whether it is automated or manual, a test script must be produced and a manual inspection conducted. Depending on the situation, manual testing may be more appropriate than automated testing.
Manual testing is often essential when evaluating complex features. Furthermore, it is impractical to automate a test that is not expected to be conducted on a routine basis.
3. Do not leave QA testing solely to software developers.
The notion that companies can cut costs by delegating quality assurance (QA) testing to software engineers instead of hiring dedicated QA analysts is misguided. This approach is highly unrecommended and could have adverse effects on the performance of the software.
It is expected that developers conduct certain tests (such as unit testing) during the development phase, but it is unrealistic to require them to oversee the entire Quality Assurance (QA) process. Delegating the QA of your product to developers who are not specialized in this field can be a gamble. Various positions require distinct skill sets, hence having a dedicated QA team inspect your product can offer a new viewpoint.
4. Maintain Recording and Reporting
Reporting and documenting any identified faults during the testing process, no matter how insignificant they may appear, is crucial. This will guarantee that the fault is not disregarded or missed in subsequent testing phases. Recording the fault right away ensures that it will not be overlooked during the process.
Compiling documentation into a unified repository could speed up the quality assurance process. Without such a repository, there is a risk of confusion between QA specialists and developers, as they may have to navigate numerous locations and use various technologies to identify and address issues. Establishing this type of repository allows analysts to verify that any identified problems have been resolved, and developers to confirm that they are searching in the appropriate location for solutions.
It is advisable to use these guidelines as a basis for designing your Quality Assurance (QA) strategy, but it is important to periodically evaluate your techniques and establish appropriate best practices for your team and company. It is critical to reassess your process when you receive new perspectives and input from your team.
