QA Testing – Get the most out of outsourcing
Today, our software testing experts look at how to present the idea of outsourced QA Testing. First, to an organisation with an internal testing team, and second to one without. This presentation is a crucial factor in maximising your testing output.
What is QA testing?
Also known as ‘Quality Assurance testing’, it is a process that ensures products or services are of a high enough quality for customers. The QA part of QA Testing describes the techniques used to prevent issues.
It must be noted that in any test scenario, all changes must be communicated in a very clear fashion. If they are not, then the success of the project as a whole can be placed into jeopardy.
Outsourcing is a major change for some and so it must then take a good deal of consideration. Some organisations have testing resources, whilst many others do not.
Top Tip
If QA testing is on your horizon, our experts will be happy to guide you through. No matter what the nature of your set up might be, contact us to find out more.
Outsourcing QA Testing when an internal QA team is in place
Step 1.
- Gather factual data around code coverage
- Then document the types of testing the internal team carries out, along with all internal tasks that will become the outsourced team’s responsibility
Example:
Internal QA Team tasks:
- New feature functional testing
- Then new feature integration testing
- Regression testing
- Training
eTestware QA Team tasks:
- Daily smoke testing
- Security testing (thus assigned as it is our speciality)
- Performance & Load testing (this requires development experience and then also specialised tools)
- Regression testing
Both teams working together on these tasks:
- Test parties / Bug hunts (If scheduled, both teams should then be involved)
FAQs for this type of scenario:
Q. Can you train us to perform load, performance and security testing instead of performing it yourself?
A. Providing specialist training is an expensive endeavour. It is much more cost effective to implement outsourced, specialist resources.
Step 2.
- Appoint someone from your organisation to be the single point of contact for assistance, questions and support
This second step is crucial. Without a sole point of contact, the outsourced team will take longer to integrate and become effective.
Outsourcing QA Testing when there is no internal QA team in place
Step 1.
- Gather factual data on code coverage
- Document the types of testing to be carried out and map out all tasks that will become the outsourced team’s responsibility
NB: Even without internal resources, the outsourced team will still need training from those inside the organisation.
Step 2.
- Appoint a sole contact point from within
If there are no existing test cases, then training and accurate documentation become even more critical. The outsourced team will still require detailed instructions on network systems, network rules & more. They must be invited to all relevant meetings and discussions. The method of communication is even more important and you must select an established communication protocol that is then adopted by everyone.
Conclusion
Quite simply, in order to maximise test spend you must give your QA Testing team all the tools they will need to succeed.
eTestware is part of theICEway ecosystem of companies. Our main HQ is in Estonia and we have access to resources across the globe. Our software testing experts are ready to help take you to the next level.
Glossary
Functional testing – A QA process that bases test cases on the specs of the software component being tested
Integration testing – A phase in software testing which sees individual software modules combined and then tested as a group
Regression testing – A process in which functional and non-functional tests are re-run to ensure that the test subject performs once again after a change has occurred
Daily smoke testing – A non-exhaustive software analysis that tests the most crucial functions without then going into the finer details
Security testing – A process designed to identify flaws in the security mechanisms of an information system
Performance & Load testing – We use Performance testing on systems to assess factors including speed and then also reliability. Load testing assesses how a system behaves when being accessed by multiple users at the same time