Software quality and testing

All users of modern devices also are forced to use software every day. TVs, computers, smartphones and even cars run on programs and apps, which need to function properly at all times. Software quality assurance is one of the basic responsibilities of all software developers but gets very frequently neglected. In this article, we are going to focus on how we define software quality, what is software quality assurance, and how to improve the quality of software testing.

How do we define software quality?

To dive deeper into software quality assurance and explain how to provide it, it is first necessary to provide a software quality definition. In a broad sense, software quality means any traits influencing the software’s ability to fulfil user expectations and needs. This includes sustaining high user loads, the ability to process multiple requests simultaneously, and general security of use. Software quality assurance means a set of actions conducted to guarantee the best possible user experience, which in turn has a positive effect on how users rate the piece of software.

Software quality control should be part of any development process with quality assurance being a basic responsibility of the developer.

Software quality control and software quality assurance

There are two similar concepts connected to software quality; its control (QC) and assurance (QA). Both processes can be viewed as tools used to improve user experience and the overall quality of a system, with both processes being equally important. Quality assurance means a set of steps taken during development, which are supposed to ensure a safe, high-quality product. Quality control on the other hand means a set of tests conducted on a finished product, the aim of which is to find any potential bugs lowering safety and efficiency ensuring quality software.

Other than the obvious development phase difference, there are also some additional ones:

Quality assurance is proactive, while quality control is reactive. QA’s function is to prevent bugs, while QC is a response to existing errors.
QA is process-oriented, while QC is product-oriented. While quality assurance is an entire process leading to an increase in software quality, quality control checks completed products to find any bugs and glitches.
QA focuses on ensuring the quality of the product as a whole, while QC might only check certain parts of the software.
QA is used for creating, while QC is used for verifying.

How to improve the quality of software testing? The best way to achieve good software quality assurance is to engage the entire development team. Software control on the other hand is best performed by a carefully selected team of testers. Testspring can help your company with both these branches of quality management of software. Because quality software means a quality business.

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Why are software quality management and QA so crucial?

Some of the key requirements for good quality management are proper staff training, hiring of experts and time commitment. All of these elements require funds and time. In the end, however, good software quality always leads to time optimisation and reduced costs for the company. Despite these obvious benefits of goos software quality assurance, many developers still try to save money on this key component of the development process.

Why is this such a big mistake?

Because the benefits are only superficial. All of the “savings” will have to be invested in fixing bugs and glitches in the future anyway.
Good software quality assurance allows you to prevent system failures, which might mean great losses for the company.
High software quality directly corresponds to higher client trust and better ratings
Quality assurance generates profits

The costs of low software quality

So we know the software quality definition, what software quality assurance and control are, and what their benefits are. However, discussing the risks associated with low software quality is just as important.

In the case of an online store, these risks are very simple and real. Every minute during which the website is down or has any major issues means a potential loss of turnover. This is also the case for many other business types. A user who encounters bugs and glitches on a website or app, will surely not comeback. This means that any funds “saved” on bad quality assurance are wasted for fixing bugs that may have been prevented. It is estimated, that as many as 20% of projects fail due to low software quality.

Software quality – a summary

To sum up, what is the best way to defend against the consequences of low software quality? You might choose to use quality management software, which may prove useless without a good team of QA experts. This is why the best option is to rely on a team of qualified testers. QA and QA specialists at Testspring can help you manage quality effectively, thus raising the service standards at your company.

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