As a thoughtful business owner, you might initially think about handling your QA tasks in-house. But, times are changing, and you can get more out of quality assurance outsourcing today.
We all know that thorough testing is vital to ensure the success of any software. But why trust this software phase in the hands of third-party test engineers?
In this guide, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about quality assurance outsourcing and how it can benefit your business.
Let’s dive in!
What is QA Outsourcing?
Outsourcing is when you hand over a particular business task or function to someone outside of your company. QA outsourcing (sometimes called software testing outsourcing), specifically, means letting a third-party company execute different types of testing methods, use various testing tools, and meet specific testing requirements.
How it works:
A vendor provides a team of qualified QA professionals to your testing team and acts as an extension of your internal team. This means that they work collaboratively with you and follow the same processes and procedures. As an extended team, they report directly to you and provide regular updates on the progress of their testing tasks.
Testing services offer long-term engagement, while others specialize in project-based cooperation. Both methods offer unique advantages, but the latter is a popular option, especially for companies looking to outsource their QA tasks for the first time.
Types of Quality Assurance Outsourcing
Outsourcing involves two main types of engagement: onshore and offshore. This goes beyond the physical location of the QA team, as it also involves different levels of collaboration.
Below are the differences between the two:
Onshore QA Outsourcing
Onshore QA outsourcing means hiring a third-party software testing company that is located in the same country as your business.
This type of engagement offers advantages such as:
- Similar time zones, making coordination and communication easier
- Closer cultural compatibility leads to smoother collaboration and understanding
- Higher possibility of being able to visit the outsourcing partner’s office for face-to-face meetings and discussions
Offshore QA Outsourcing
Offshore QA outsourcing is when you hire a third-party software testing company that is located in a different country from your own.
Some potential benefits of this type of engagement are:
- Lower cost due to differences in labor rates and currency exchange
- Access to a larger pool of highly skilled professionals in various locations
- Ability to have round-the-clock work thanks to time zone differences
Advantages of Outsourcing Your Software Testing
Outsourcing software testing provides numerous benefits to businesses, including:
Shift your focus on core business tasks
By delegating the QA tasks to a third-party company, it frees up your internal team’s time to focus on core business tasks, such as product development and maintenance. This results in increased efficiency and productivity for your company.
Access to specialized skills and expertise
Software testing has its own niches and needs specific skills and expertise. By outsourcing, you can connect with professionals experienced in various testing types, tools, and technologies and access new markets that might be hard to reach otherwise.
Think of automated testing using Selenium or performance testing using JMeter. Outsourcing companies have dedicated teams for these specialized areas.
Cost savings
Quality assurance testing is often cheaper than building an in-house team, mainly due to differences in labor rates and reduced overhead costs.
For instance, offshore software development companies in the Philippines offer affordable rates while providing high-quality services. You also get to save on equipment, office space, employee benefits, and other expenses that come with hiring in-house testers.
Startechup offers quality assurance (QA) testing. Contact us today!
Faster time-to-market
Usually, it would take months to build and train a team of QA professionals, causing delays in product releases. With an outsourced QA team dedicated to testing your software, you can deploy your product quickly and reach your target market faster.
Comply with regulatory and industry standards
Outsourcing software testing to a reputable company ensures that your product complies with industry standards. It also guarantees that your software meets regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of facing legal issues in the future.
Improve customer experience
A successful product goes through several testing types, such as manual testing, usability testing, and regression testing. These can all be done more effectively and efficiently by an outsourced team, resulting in a high-quality product that delights users.
Scale whenever you want
Outsourcing allows for flexible scalability. You can easily increase or decrease the size of your outsourced QA team based on project needs without having to worry about hiring and training additional in-house staff.
When is the right time to outsource testing services?
There are a few scenarios when outsourcing quality assurance testing services would be the best option for your business:
You have a deadline to meet
A software development process can take up to several months or even years. The testing phase alone could stretch out weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the software.
If you have investors or stakeholders who are expecting your app soon, outsourcing can speed up the QA process and meet your deadlines without compromising quality or postponing your launch!
Your internal development team needs a boost
Your team can’t be experts in everything, and that’s okay! Sometimes, a project requires specific expertise, like API testing or test automation, and it turns out that no one on the team has those skills.
If you are a startup in need of expertise, QA testing services are your friend. With this, you get a team of pros to help ensure your software has a smooth launch.
You have a short-term project
When you need to test a small software product or focus on a specific aspect, like regression or security testing, permanent hiring might not be practical due to an inconsistent workload.
If so, quality assurance outsourcing is the way to go. It offers flexibility, allowing you to pause, continue, end, or expand cooperation as your project needs to evolve.
Your budget is tight
In terms of long-term projects, cost-efficiency can be a significant factor. If you are on a tight budget, outsourcing QA testing services offers the most economical solution.
An outsourced testing team can help you save on hiring and training expenses, employee benefits, and equipment costs.
You need a fresh perspective
Sometimes, your in-house team may have a specific approach or methodology that has worked for them in the past. However, innovation and continuous improvement are crucial to stay competitive.
An external testing team, uninvolved in development, can identify functionality and usability gaps and assess potential bugs due to unpredictable user behavior.
Best practices for outsourcing quality assurance testing
To ensure a successful outsourced software testing engagement, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
1. Define goals and expectations clearly
Do you have multiple projects that need testing? Make sure to outline each project’s requirements, timelines, and deliverables before engaging with an outsourcing company.
Clearly defining goals and expectations helps set the right direction for both parties and ensures everyone is on the same page. As much as possible, you should have a complete:
- Project summary and scope
- Detailed requirements and specifications
- Testing types needed
- Timeline and milestones
- Communication and reporting channels
2. Check the expertise of your outsourced test team
Aligning your software testing needs with the software testing services provider’s expertise will not only get you the best results but also save you time and resources.
Before outsourcing, make sure to check the credibility of the software QA company and the expertise of their team to ensure they can deliver quality results. Ensure that you get:
- Portfolio and track record of delivering successful projects
- Testimonials and references from clients
- Certifications or training on testing tools, processes, and methodologies
3. Establish communication channels
Offshore outsourcing could mean different time zones, so it’s essential to establish clear and regular communication channels. Thanks to project management software tools, it’s easy to stay connected with your outsourced team.
Some of the popular choices for project management tools are:
- Monday
- Trello
- Asana
- Jira
These tools allow for easy communication, task assignment and tracking, progress updates, and reporting. It’s also essential to schedule regular meetings or calls to discuss project updates, issues, and concerns.
4. Conduct frequent reviews and evaluations
Alongside consistent communication, regular reviews and evaluations help ensure that your outsourced team is meeting the expected quality standards.
This approach helps spot and resolve any issues or concerns early on, preventing potential delays in your project’s timeline. You can achieve this by setting up Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Here are a few KPIs commonly used in quality assurance testing:
- Active defects: This KPI keeps tabs on the number of defects currently marked as new, open, or fixed and waiting for re-testing. Use past projects and industry standards to set acceptable defect levels.
- Automated tests: Decide what percentage of tests to automate. A good starting point is 20%, and you can adjust as you gain more experience and new best practices develop.
- Tests executed: This velocity KPI tracks the different tests completed, covering both manual and automated ones.
5. Keep an eye on things and share feedback
The final step is to regularly check in on the testing process and results to ensure they meet your goals and standards. Use metrics and reports to track how things are going, along with the performance and quality of testing projects.
Here’s what you want in those testing process reports:
- Defects: This KPI tracks the number of defects found during different stages of testing.
- Solution times: What was the average time it takes to resolve a defect?
- Summary of tests: What type of tests did the team execute, and how many?
Sharing feedback and addressing any concerns promptly helps build a strong partnership with your outsourced team while ensuring quality results. Remember, communication is key to a successful outsourcing collaboration.
Just a heads up: remember to provide constructive and timely feedback to your outsourcing service provider to help improve their testing services and solutions.
Hire a QA Team from Startechup!
In any software project, quality assurance testing is a step that should not be overlooked. And, it is something that should not be taken lightly either. When done correctly, it can make all the difference in ensuring a successful software project launch.
At Startechup, our QA team and test engineers are dedicated to providing top-notch testing services for our clients. We have extensive experience in both manual and automated testing, utilizing industry-standard tools and methodologies.
With our proven track record as a software development company, you can rest assured that your software product will have a smooth launch and meet the highest quality standards.
Contact us to get a FREE consultation and get started!
