Author: Yogesh Kumar Gupta

Who should test the application? The deciding battle whether to hire a tester or a developer is never-ending. The objective is to verify and validate the application while finding the defects before its release and ensuring its quality.  

While developers aim at creating and developing the application to its best, testers aim at ensuring the application design is of good quality.  

One of the most important factors differentiating a developer and a tester is that the developer stops testing when the application works once while the tester starts testing when the application works. Also, it depends on the mindset that reflects their attitude toward the development of the application.  

Hence, if you are struggling with who can test your application better, then you need to understand how they work. We’re sure at the end of this write-up, you will know the answer.  

How does a tester test? 

A tester… 

1) Tries out both the beaten path and the “odd ways” of testing an application 

• Testing may sound like a common process. A tester is a person who is responsible for trying out all the necessary usage scenarios for the best working of an application.  

• Testers follow both the regular testing process and their unconventional ways to ensure that the application works as expected.  

• A tester is more focused on addressing defects and resolving them before the application can be deployed to users.  

• Hence, a tester follows both the beaten path and odd ways to try out several different approaches to do the same thing. The agenda is to determine whether a specific combination of steps may lead to application failure or unexpected results.  

2) Tests the same thing over and over again until gets 100% of the expected results 

• Tester idealizes the process of continuous testing. A tester starts the testing the moment it becomes available.  

• This type of application testing can also rely on test automation that is integrated with the deployment process.  

• Though automated testing enables the application to be validated in realistic test environments. However, an ideal tester urges to test the application over and over again.  

• A result-oriented tester is focused on improving the application design and reducing risks.    

3) Doesn’t limit to the usual process of what needs to be tested and how it needs to be tested 

• A tester is involved in assessing many stages. Ideally, organizations maintain test assets to track what an application builds to test.  

• However, a tester is not limited to what needs to be tested. A tester gains access to assets such as requirements, codes, models, test scripts, design documents, and test results.  

• A tester is completely aware of the parameters of what needs to be tested and how it needs to be tested.  

• An ideal tester focuses on user authentication and audit trails to help companies meet compliance requirements with minimal administrative effort.  

4) Don’t assume that it will work every time and everywhere 

• A tester is determined to offer perfection when it comes to testing results. Hence, a tester analyzes the success of testing based on reports and analytics. It eventually helps other team members to share status, goals, and results.  

• A tester never assumes that the same process will work every time and everywhere. Thus, a tester incorporates advanced tools to integrate project metrics and present results in a dashboard.  

• This particular practice makes the tester super confident and lets the teams quickly see the overall health of the project. 

• A tester tests to establish the parameter that defines the development of the application while monitoring relationships between development, test, and other significant elements.  

5) Never satisfied even if it works in the most ways, needs the application to work in every way 

• A tester knows that testing can be time-consuming. Still, the tester is never satisfied with regular procedures even if it works in most ways.  

• Several automated software testing tools are used to complete the testing process. However, a tester feels incomplete with automation and runs manual testing or ad-hoc testing to be 100% sure.  

• The tester is more focused on making sure that the application works in every way irrespective of any circumstances.  

• A tester is not ready to accept that automated testing helps implement different scenarios and test differentiators. The tester never feels satisfied until the application works in every bit possible way.  

How does a developer test? 

A developer… 

1) Follows the obvious way like how an application is meant to be used 

• A developer is quite practical in the process and works on the application the way it is meant to be used. Once the features of the application have been nailed down, the developer is supposed to convert them into an actual application. 

• The developer uses a variety of tools that include programming language, integrated development environments, data structures, staging serves, and more to get the application started.   

• Once the primary development of the application is completed, a developer tests the application in a regular, necessary way to make sure the application runs the way it should.  

2) Tests once and gets satisfied if the feature works fine  

• Mostly, a developer follows a definite testing process where the developer writes down and executes basic test cases.  

• Ideally, this process helps to determine whether the application is structurally sound and performing properly or not. Once the results are in favor, the developer makes the end call and finalizes it.  

• The developer would only test once if the results are accurate in one try. The developer feels satisfied if the features of the application work fine and even work in usually used ways.  

3) Doesn’t explore and is limited to what needs to be tested  

• Ideally, a developer is focused on unit testing that is not similar to the way a tester does. The process is followed by developers to determine any necessary bugs while ensuring the application works as expected.  

• If everything seems good, a developer won’t make extra effort to explore more possibilities of any glitches while using the application.  

• Developers are aware of bugs that can’t be identified by them. Their mind-sets are focused to follow the usual testing process and report the functioning of the application.  

Conclusion:  

During the testing process, both the tester and developer work in their best possible ways to give 100% favorable results. However, certain parameters can’t be examined by the developer. And this is where the tester’s role comes in.  

Software testers work with only one aim, and that is to provide a bug-free and glitch-free product. However, it’s more overwhelming than it sounds. It requires quite a lot of patience and determination to overcome everyday testing challenges.  

Keep reading to learn more about how testers strive to fulfill clients’ software testing requirements.  

How Do Testers Start the Day?  

Software testers start the day by setting up a plan since every software that requires testing must have different planning. Therefore, the day usually starts with gathering information regarding the task so that they can plan a test that will accurately cater to that particular software. 

Afterward, they start setting the targets and allocating time and work to the rest of the testing team. Consider how communication is the key element in working with a tester’s team since they also communicate with the other departments to ensure there is no glitch in the graphics or such. 

Daily Responsibilities of Testers 

The roles of a software tester are more than one. Rather than simply being limited to technical testing, the tester must also solve more profound and multifarious problems in the software. 

Understanding and Planning the Testing Process 

Firstly, during the daily standup, software testers understand the nature and requirements of the software. It helps them in choosing the correct methodology and implementing it the proper way so that no time gets wasted. Once an analysis is done, the test analyst provides a testing report to the team about the various findings regarding the software.  

Executing the Test 

Once a trajectory has been set, the focus needs to be on the execution. To execute the set mechanism, a team must coordinate with one another. Here, the role of the senior tester is to coordinate at every step with the developer to produce an error-free product.  

Constant Interaction 

Bugs might not limit their reach to just development but extend to graphics and other arenas. Hence, it becomes necessary for a tester to communicate the problem to other departments and find a proper solution to the problem. Such effective exchange helps in achieving the ultimate goal.  

Ultimately, all these form the overall function required to complete the testing process that a tester is assigned to perform. Software testers attempt to make everything right by not just testing one aspect but also environmental setup, designing, development, and execution, to give the best possible result. 

How Testers Solve Software Testing Issues 

Several problems bother a software tester regularly. These problems emerge from their necessity to work with distinct applications. 

Here are how testers at Crestech take care of these issues.  

Lack of Proper Documentation  

It is common among developers to simply provide a verbal description of the software and their needs. Thus, testers often lack the essential documents needed to understand the trajectory. Responsible testers try to avoid every such problem by asking for proper documents. When needed they can prepare their daily checklists by filling in end-of-day status check-ins. 

Software Testing Tools 

When it comes to software testing tools, there are not always many options for software testers. Therefore, it becomes difficult for them to manage individual software in their capacity. One must increase the range of options for better results.  

Hence, testers should get the best tool and prepare their model to make work fun and experimental. Moreover, they try to deal with such rigidity problems using problem-solving skills. Often they manage technical challenges through deep learning and a complete understanding of what it is. 

Problem with Bugs  

Bugs often come in a tribe, making it difficult for testers to manage them. As they are not located only in one place, it also becomes essential to identify them and build a way to control them. Escalation management is what helps them serve the best to their clients. For this, they maintain regular and transparent interaction with the various departments. So that whenever one bug leads to another, the right specialist can work on removing it. 

Difficulty in Managing Time 

It is only when every other work is done that software reaches a tester. Therefore, the testers are usually left with a small period to complete their tasks. Hence, responsible testers value time like nothing else. To ensure they can deliver to their developers on time, the testers make proper timetables and work according to them.  

Lack of Coordination 

Often different departments do not cooperate properly with the tester, which can create problems in getting rid of the bugs and errors not limited to development. The best way to coordinate among departments is to maintain complete transparency and interact at every activity level.  

Conclusion 

To put it simply, the job of a tester is to check the quality of the software so that it can reduce the risk and improve the software’s performance in real situations. However, there must be intricate and uninterrupted communication between teams to optimize the testing process effectively. With proper tools and customized test plans, testers aim to launch the best product in the market.  

 Read also, How well does your QA team integrate into your ecosystem?

Software testing plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of software products. As businesses increasingly rely on technology to operate and provide services, the demand for effective software testing services has grown significantly. However, like any other investment, businesses need to assess the return on investment (ROI) of software testing services to make informed decisions about their testing strategies.  

In this blog, we will explore the concept of ROI in the context of software testing, discuss the challenges in measuring ROI, and explore various metrics and approaches to effectively measure the ROI of software testing services. 

1. Introduction to ROI in Software Testing Services 

ROI is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability and efficiency of an investment. In the realm of software testing, ROI refers to the tangible and intangible benefits gained from the resources invested in testing activities. It helps businesses understand whether their investment in software testing is delivering value and whether the testing efforts align with their overall business objectives. 

The primary goal of software testing is to identify and fix defects, reduce risks, and ensure that the software meets its intended functionality. However, testing can be resource-intensive, and without proper assessment, it may be challenging to determine if the investment is justified. 

2. Challenges in Measuring ROI of Software Testing Services 

Measuring the ROI of software testing services can be complex due to several factors: 

2.1. Indirect Impact on Business Metrics 

The impact of software testing on business metrics is often indirect. For example, reducing the number of defects may lead to increased customer satisfaction and reduced support costs, but the direct correlation between testing efforts and these outcomes may not be immediately apparent. 

2.2. Long-term Benefits vs. Short-term Costs 

Software testing can yield both short-term and long-term benefits. While defects identified and resolved in the testing phase can save immediate costs, the prevention of defects in the production environment can have long-term cost-saving effects. Balancing short-term costs with long-term benefits can be challenging when measuring ROI. 

2.3. Complexity of Software Systems 

Modern software systems are increasingly complex, comprising multiple components, integrations, and interactions. The effectiveness of testing efforts may vary across different components, making it difficult to attribute ROI accurately. 

2.4. Intangible Benefits 

In addition to direct cost savings, software testing services can bring intangible benefits such as enhanced brand reputation, increased customer trust, and improved team morale. These intangible benefits are challenging to quantify in monetary terms. 

2.5. External Factors 

External factors, such as changes in the market, competitor actions, or regulatory requirements, can impact the ROI of software testing services. Isolating the effects of testing efforts from these external influences can be demanding. 

3. Metrics to Measure ROI of Software Testing Services 

To overcome the challenges in measuring ROI, businesses can adopt various metrics and approaches that provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of their testing efforts. Some key metrics include: 

3.1. Defect Density 

Defect density is a measure of the number of defects identified during testing per unit of software size (e.g., lines of code or function points). Tracking defect density over time can help identify trends and assess the impact of testing on defect reduction. 

3.2. Cost of Quality (CoQ) 

The Cost of Quality encompasses the total costs associated with testing and dealing with defects, both internally (testing efforts, defect fixes) and externally (customer support, reputation damage). By comparing the CoQ before and after implementing testing services, businesses can evaluate the effectiveness of their testing efforts. 

3.3. Test Case Effectiveness 

Test case effectiveness measures the ability of test cases to identify defects accurately. A higher test case effectiveness implies that testing efforts are focused on the most critical areas of the software, leading to improved ROI. 

3.4. Test Automation Coverage 

Test automation can significantly improve testing efficiency and effectiveness. Tracking the percentage of test cases automated can provide insights into the ROI of automation efforts, considering the reduction in manual testing effort and the potential for early defect identification. 

3.5. Time-to-Market 

Reduced time-to-market is a critical factor in gaining a competitive advantage. Measuring the time taken to identify and fix defects can help assess the impact of testing on overall development timelines and time-to-market. 

3.6. Customer Satisfaction and Retention 

Satisfied customers are more likely to be loyal and recommend the software to others. Surveys and feedback from end-users can help gauge customer satisfaction, indirectly reflecting the impact of testing efforts on customer experience. 

3.7. Risk Mitigation 

Software testing plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating risks associated with software failures. By evaluating the risks averted due to effective testing, businesses can quantify the value of risk reduction. 

4. Approaches to Measure ROI of Software Testing Services 

Businesses can employ various approaches to measure the ROI of software testing services. Some common approaches include: 

4.1. Pre-Post Comparison 

In this approach, businesses measure key metrics before and after implementing software testing services. By comparing the metrics, such as defect density, time-to-market, and customer satisfaction, businesses can assess the impact of testing efforts on the software’s quality and overall business performance. 

4.2. A/B Testing 

A/B testing involves dividing the software users into two groups: one with testing and another without testing. By comparing the performance and customer satisfaction metrics between the two groups, businesses can isolate the effects of software testing on the user experience and ROI. 

4.3. Return on Investment Ratio (ROIR) 

The ROIR is a simple ratio that compares the financial benefits gained from software testing (e.g., reduced support costs, increased sales) to the total cost of testing services. A positive ROIR indicates a positive return on investment. 

4.4. Sensitivity Analysis 

Sensitivity analysis involves assessing the impact of varying testing efforts and budgets on the ROI. By simulating different scenarios, businesses can identify the optimal level of testing investment to maximize ROI. 

4.5. Benchmarking 

Benchmarking involves comparing the ROI of software testing services with industry peers or best practices. This approach provides insights into whether the testing efforts are on par with industry standards and can help identify areas for improvement. 

5. Conclusion 

Measuring the ROI of software testing services is essential for businesses to make informed decisions about their testing strategies. While challenges exist in quantifying the impact of testing efforts, adopting appropriate metrics and approaches can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and value delivered by software testing services. Businesses should strive to strike a balance between short-term cost savings and long-term benefits, considering both tangible and intangible factors that contribute to ROI. By continually evaluating and improving their testing practices, businesses can ensure that their software products meet the highest standards of quality, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and driving business success. 

In conclusion, the ROI of software testing services goes beyond immediate cost savings and extends to improved product quality, reduced risks, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Investing in effective testing practices is an investment in the success and reputation of the business in the long run. 

All clients do have a foremost and pertinent question- How soon can Crestech start the partnership journey?

We at Crestech have developed an environment to move fast and start the journey as soon as the next day. Our multiple departments work in sync and in parallel to fast-track the alignment of the right people for your testing needs.

We constantly deliver on our promises by offering experts, who are adept in their respective domain and are not learning at the cost of the Client, reacting beforehand to the foreseen or expected roadblocks in the journey ahead.

Legal Formalities

We understand that when our client is ready to take the next step, the legal formalities for initiating the Project has to be completed to the satisfaction of the client and full compliance to the law of the land.

The processes & resources at Crestech have gone through this journey multiple times and we quickly and mostly without any issues/concerns, get these in place immediately by aligning with our client’s legal terms. This journey is initiated beforehand so as to ensure that the Client’s requirements and Crestech obligations are expressed unambiguously and fulfilled at the earliest.

Project Initiation

Project journey initiation at Crestech is from the very first step when the client contacts us. While the client is still discussing the details of the engagement, we, working in the background, are silently planning and identifying the processes & resources and their scheduling, acquiring the project management infrastructure so that the Project is completed expeditiously to the satisfaction of the client. Crestech strongly values creating stakeholder alignment so as to successfully deliver the Project within the deadline.

Core Team on Boarding and Kickoff

While the legal formalities are being taken care, we are already working on onboarding the core team for detailed understanding on the requirements of the client and allocating different milestones to the core team so that by the time Kickoff happens we are already are deeply involved in the Project. The core team will expend resources and time creating stakeholder alignment. Core team typically begins with the identification of the team members and ensuring that the project team has sufficient information to begin developing a detailed roadmap, schedule and a detailed budget for efficient tracking

Scaling Up and Down

The knowledge, skills, and experience needed on the project varies at each stage.

With an effective demand management framework which predicts the skill and volume requirements based of the long and short term testing strategies, we are able to scale up or down dynamically.

We make sure we are fully aware of the Project dynamics all the time hence ensuring resources allocation/ ramp down well in time.

At Crestech, all departments work in collaboration to ensure that our client’s requirements are clearly understood and the understanding disseminated to all concerned resources while simultaneously on-boarding and aligning them. Our speedy response ensures that the client’s internal processes such as vendor on-boarding, project initiation etc. never waits for inputs from Crestech. We make sure that the ball is never in our court for longer than a few hours.

Here are the 3 essential ways a testing team contributes.

A tester’s role in the development of software has always been well established. But their pivotal and much bigger role as team integrators often goes unnoticed. In fact, the tester has to play multiple roles which are much wider than the on-ground testing to ensure that the product meets the satisfaction of clients, and a synergy is maintained within the team on “what client wants”.

The testers are the advocate of the Product Owner, liaison of the development team, and share the vision of the business team whilst understanding the technical hiccups of the development team.

Hence they are the best people to ensure that technology is able to meet the required functionality by addressing issues related to people, processes and tools.

To ensure that the Integrated QA works well, there are 3 essential points where your QA teams need to integrate well.

The 3 important roles played by QA teams

As A Bridge between BAs and Developers

QA team has the unique advantage of being at the cusp of technology and business. Although it is the role of the BAs to translate the business team’s needs to technical specifications for the developer team, the QA team can support them by bridging the communication gap between the BAs and the developers and bringing everyone to a common understanding of the requirement. Eg. When is considered to be done? What is its acceptable way of working and filling any gaps in the user stories which might leave room for misinterpretations technically?

Below are some ways this can be achieved i.e when the QA Team plays an important role in the following:

• Defining the Definition of Done: The Definition of Done (DoD) will include the criteria and conditions that a software feature has to meet so that it is acceptable to the consumer. When the feature reaches that stage of ‘quality’, it would mean that it can be released without further development or testing. QA testers understand the DoD from the BA, help developers to understand and assess it as feature details, and finally ensure during testing that the DoD is satisfactorily met.

• Setting the Acceptance Criteria: Setting Acceptance criteria would mean setting the lowest level of functional as well as non-functional requirements. They are the unique conditions that the software product must meet for each user story. They are the definition of acceptable feature behaviour from the business, customer or user perspective. QA Testers have an understanding of this perspective and while testing the product they ensure that the acceptance criteria are met. 

• Determine the Definition of Ready: As QA Testers have an understanding of business needs better than the developers, they are in a position to determine if the product is complete and ready for testing. As the bridge between the BA and the developers, even before the testing is started, they ensure that the functionalities required are met. Only when they feel that the product is done and ready for testing is it when they start their testing process. 

Guard Quality: Play End User’s Representatives

The most overlooked features of the software product may actually be the defining factor of user experience!

QA Tester plays the role of the representative of the end user and understands what is important for the customer and thus avoids the above from happening. Users do not care about how many rounds of testing have been run on the software product, they only care about the product experience they get. Few things the QA testers do to ensure alignment with end customers include –

• Understanding real-time scenarios that customer is likely to face to comprehend the user behaviour and implementing testing as per that.
• Adopt the perspective of the end user to understand what can lead to their satisfaction by attempting to explore situations where users are prone to face errors. This will help in effective error identification.
• Walk in the shoes of the customer to come across the real “environments” of the end user under which the application might be used and test the software product accordingly.

SME on the Product & its Functionality

Great QA Testers evolve into being the one-stop shop for every functional knowledge about the product:

• How the product works,
• Each business rule and the probable impact of making any change to it,
• Each repeated issue and its history.
• Which build caused chaos after release and why vs which had the highest quality index?

The key difference between a good tester and a great tester is “ownership”. And hence, the tester who owns the quality of the product tends to dig deep and attain extensive knowledge about the product and its lifecycle. This gives them the unique role of being an Advisor to the Product Owner/ Manager or the knowledge SME whenever needed.

Now let’s look at some best Ways a tester can ensure that they are able to integrate this well:

• Have Consistent Communication with all stakeholders to ensure that all the teams have a clear idea of the expectations and the business expectations are correctly and completely translated into technical requirements. Gap Analysis, Static Testing and establishing RTMs are some great tools to do this.
• Ensure that the BA/ Product Owner, the testers and the developers are aligned with the priorities at all times. This can be established by regular discussions on bottlenecks and status. The teams can also meet periodically for further planning, clarification and discussion of stories to help the m be on track.
• Knowledge exchange between the teams is also vital between teams. There are several ways of doing this such as project artefacts, periodic sessions and more.

Conclusion

The need of the hour is Integrated QA. Successful integration can only happen if the QA testers play the 3 crucial roles that they are supposed to play in this integration and perform their best in their role to create a high-quality product that will match the requirement of the customer, leading to satisfaction.

Read also Knowledge Management and QA.