Risks of Software Testing Outsource & Ways to Minimize Them

If a successful launch of a software product is a high priority for you, testing should become an integral part of each phase of the software development life cycle.Given the complexity of modern programs, it is difficult to imagine a situation where the development process completely dispenses with any testing. So long as testing is isolated from the general cycle, it is not effective.

As a team of devoted fans of quality projects, we`ve written a lot about the ways to implement software testing in the project lifecycle. And, you already know there are two ways: hire a team of QA pros in-house or outsource testing & QA services. A software testing company is not a rare thing, and it is a good news for entrepreneurs who put safety at the top.

A Word About Quality

A “thanks-cap info”, still we can`t resist telling about it over and over again. Neglecting the testing stage during the development life cycle almost always negatively affects the quality of performance, or functionality of the final product. The question of how exactly the development company can ensure the best quality of the product being developed turns out to be quite natural. During the testing process, the QA team makes sure that the software product properly performs all the documented functions.

To ensure the high quality of the final product, the inclusion of testing in the software development life cycle is essential. Besides, remember that testing is even more effective when it is implemented at the early stages of work on a project. Whether you choose an offshore software testing company or a local one, just make sure that its employees are qualified and competent.

Let’s sum up the pros of software testing:

• Testing introduced in the early stages of development significantly reduces the cost of fixing bugs.
• Given the characteristics of the modern market, only high-quality products are competitive. Thus, investing resources in software development, you need to make sure that the final product can compete with existing solutions.
• The environment used in software development is different from the one in which the final product will be used. Testing, thus, allows you to check the software in conditions similar to real ones.

Risk 1. Hardships of pricing.

Keep in mind that that the choice of outsourced QA outsource services is far too broad at the moment. You will have to go through diverse companies, reviews, forums, etc. Of course the cost will differ as well. When it comes to testing outsource though, financial scale depends of the range of factors.

Some customers note that the remote form of testing is associated with too high prices at present. The truth is that everything is relative. Each offshore software testing company is individual in nature. The cost may vary in terms of qualifications and quality of work performed.

The latest research we conducted is the data where rates, location, and company status at Clutch meet. Check the graph out to make sure the company of your choice follows the market rates per its geography.

To solve this question as correctly as possible, you need to get answers to the following query parameters:

• How long has this QA team worked in the field of remote testing?
• What deadlines do they offer?
• Are there any reviews about them on specialized websites (forums, social networks)? How exactly do they propose building your teamwork?

Risk 2. Miscommunication.

One of the most serious issues of humanity 🙂 not just QA outsource. Setting the requirements unclearly (or not making sure the independent team understands them properly), poor language command end up with the inconsistent process of testing.
Remember, the more requirements you announce to them, the better the quality of testing.
Communication is the only ice-breaker. This is also the only effective means to get to know people who you`re going to trust the product. Your conversation has to go easy, although both parties sound confident. Only if the reputation means a lot to the outsourcing partner, consider to safely share your project goals.

Risk 3. Fear of copyright data loss.

Not all IT companies are ready to entrust the internal resources of a software product to external company right away. As a rule, to resolve this issue, a remote QA specialist is provided with personal private access only to a specific part of the software functionality.

Remember: hired QA team doesn`t simply enter your business, they access to project data. Many request a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), as it outlines confidential information both parties share. Sign this agreement before revealing any project details. Of course, NDA is not the only way to protect your business from plagiarism and leakages. You may sign agreements when outsource QA, including GDPR policy and be on the safe side.

Risk 4. (Im)perfect match.

Before giving the product for testing to remote employees, have a meeting with them. Mull over what you expect from the QA expert. Also, consider the needs of the hired workers. Fair relationships are beneficial to all parties.

Our comprehensive guide will help you a lot in choosing the vendor with the right business culture. Here are the questions to ask:

• Are they proactive in solving challenging tasks?
• You` re a strict deadline follower. Are they too?
• Do they go beyond the assigned tasks and suggest improvements to your project?
• Do they value reports and regular discussions on the work done?
• Is their cooperation model transparent and clear to you? Are they flexible enough to meet your expectations?
• Are they tech-geeks? Do they keep track of innovative approaches in quality assurance?
• Is there a language-barrier problem?

Final

Now that you know how to deal with minimizing risks in outsourcing, you can prevent any inappropriate outcomes. Still, there are always drawbacks in any field. The main task is to reduce the existing and potential risks to the minimum. Evaluate your needs, prepare project assessment, and consider the benefits of the positive result. There is nothing impossible for those whose mind is sharp and the goals are clear!