Outsourced software testing - Best practices to follow

When leveraging outsourced quality assurance (QA) testing resources, following a few key best practices can help optimize the engagement and ensure a highly successful partnership. As organizations increasingly turn to external QA teams to complement their internal capabilities, adhering to these guidelines can facilitate a smooth and productive outsourced software testing.

1. Validating the Credibility of Software Testing Outsourcing Partners 

Just as you would thoroughly vet a candidate before adding them to your in-house development team, it’s crucial to meticulously check the reputation and credibility of any software testing outsourcing company you’re considering. Maintaining the same level of due diligence is essential when entrusting critical quality assurance responsibilities to an external provider.

Start by closely examining the outsourcing company’s website. Scrutinize client testimonials, case studies, and project portfolios to gain insights into their track record of successful engagements. Dive deeper by checking the LinkedIn profiles of their key team members – this can provide additional context around their expertise and experience.

A reputable, credible software testing outsourcing partner will have comprehensive documentation to share, including detailed test plans, QA process flows, and relevant industry certifications. They should also be willing and able to provide references from past and current clients who can speak to the quality of their work and the value they’ve delivered.

Thoroughly vetting an outsourcing company’s credibility may require a more extensive upfront investment of time and effort. However, this meticulous approach pays dividends in the long run by helping you identify a testing partner who can truly integrate with your workflows, enhance your quality assurance capabilities, and drive impactful results. Neglecting this critical step can lead to subpar outcomes, wasted resources, and unnecessary risk.

By applying the same rigorous vetting standards you would for internal hires, you can confidently select a software testing outsourcing provider that aligns with your quality standards and business objectives. This degree of due diligence is an essential prerequisite for a successful, long-term outsourcing partnership.

2. Matching Outsourcing Partners to Your Testing Needs

Even reputable QA providers have unique strengths and limitations. Some may lack comprehensive testing tools, while others may be slower to adopt the latest technologies. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate your project’s specific requirements before selecting an outsourcing partner.

Start by clearly defining your testing needs – consider factors like technologies involved, application scale, compliance requirements, and desired testing coverage. This will help identify the essential capabilities and methodologies required.

With your requirements established, you can then assess prospective providers through a targeted lens. Examine their areas of expertise, tool diversity, and ability to adapt to evolving testing needs. The goal is to find the right balance of cost-effectiveness and quality of service.

The objective is to align the outsourcing partner’s core competencies with your project’s unique needs. This upfront investment ensures the selected QA provider can deliver comprehensive, tailored quality assurance support to drive your software initiatives forward.

3. Continuously Evaluating Your Outsourced QA Partner

Even after selecting an outsourced QA testing provider, it’s crucial to regularly assess their performance. A systematic evaluation process helps ensure you’re receiving the quality of service you’re paying for.

Some key assessment criteria to consider include:

• Defect reporting quality
• Number of missed bugs
• Alignment between testing efforts and outcomes
• Test documentation quality
• Resource availability and capacity
• Efficiency of testing tools utilized

Maintaining this ongoing review allows you to identify areas for improvement, address any gaps, and confirm the outsourcing company is meeting your evolving quality assurance needs. It’s a vital step in sustaining a productive, long-term partnership.

4. Avail of outsourcing companies with specialized niches, if needed 

Let’s say you’re building a finance app for a bank so that its customers can easily access their accounts and bank facilities through the application. If you employ a QA team that does not know about testing financial applications and the regulations they must adhere to, your investment will yield no results.

Technologies, timelines, risks, and software vary by industry. Therefore, if you’re building a solution or product that’s industry-specific, it would be better to outsource software testing to a team with prior experience working in that industry.

5. Establishing solid KPIs before partnering with a QA outsourcing company

At last, you must make it a point to provide KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to the outsourced software testing team. Irrespective of their expertise, the team can’t offer you the best possible service if they don’t know the objectives or goals to work towards. Some common KPIs to check for software testing include:

• Automated tests – You must decide on a benchmark for the number of tests you’d like automated. 
• Active defects – This KPI helps to track the number of defects currently open, fixed, or new and waiting to be re-tested. For this, you can set an acceptable defects number after evaluating your previous projects or the industry your application will roll out for.
• Tests executed – This KPI will help monitor the various tests you finish, including automated and manual.

 

6. Choose soureCode for high-quality software testing services

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, outsourced software testing has become a strategic imperative for companies. It enables business leaders to implement a cost-effective solution and redirect resources to other critical priorities. Moreover, it helps organizations maintain agility and stay on track with product rollouts.

That said, the process of selecting the right outsourcing partner can require a significant investment of time and effort. With SourceCode, you can skip that challenge. We provide thoroughly vetted, remote software testing teams that are seamlessly aligned with your business objectives.

To learn more about how SourceCode can support your quality assurance needs, please reach out to us.