by Mit ThakkarQuality Assurance is one of the most essential aspects when it comes to shipping a quality software product. However, a larger number of organizations leverage the advantages offered by outsourced software testing to expedite the testing process. This strategy also helps in building a formidable test team by combining the in-house expertise with the experience offered by the outsourcing partner.
However, shortlisting a reliable testing company with proven expertise is a task that needs to be executed with precision. In this blog, we look at the essential pointers that should be a part of your checklist when partnering with an independent software testing company. Before we unveil those tips, first we look at ‘why’ & ‘when’ of outsourced software testing.
Why Outsource Software Testing?
There are numerous benefits of the partnership model when it comes to software verification & testing. These benefits are independent of the size & scale of the organization.
Here are some of the major benefits offered by outsourced software testing:
- Achieve optimal test coverage by leveraging the expertise offered by the independent software testing company
- Minimize the overhead costs incurred on hiring and retaining permanent employees for software testing
- Accelerate the software testing process and reduce the feedback cycle for faster time to market
Outsourcing QA services can have a monumental impact on improving the quality of software products and improving the productivity of the client’s in-house development & test teams. An independent software testing company like KiwiQA that has served a wide range of global clients can be an ideal partner in providing specialized testing services.
Now that we have solved the vital puzzle – ‘why outsource software testing?’, let’s deep dive into the pointers that should be a part of your checklist for choosing the best software testing company.
Also Read: Reasons Why Software Companies Don’t Invest In Software Testing
How to shortlist a reliable software testing provider?
Here are some of the major pointers that should be considered when partnering with a company that has expertise in providing software testing services:
1. Company Portfolio
This is one of the most vital things that need to be checked when looking at prospects for outsourced software testing. Software testing encompasses automation testing and manual testing. A software testing services company that has experience in serving a wide range of clients will be in a much better position to provide testing services.
Such a company can also advise you on building an effective strategy for automation testing. A company that has experience with different forms of testing (e.g. performance testing, integration testing, end-to-end testing, regression testing, etc.) is a much better fit in comparison to a company that provides only a subset of those services.
Lastly, check whether the independent software testing company has experience and manpower to on-board large clients, else the delivery timeline might get severely impacted.
2. Engagement Model
Along with technical and functional expertise, you should also understand the company’s outsourcing and service model. You should clarify whether you want the resources to work offshore or whether they should be seated at your location (to minimize the communication gap).
Dedicated team model, fixed price, and time & material model are some of the common engagement models followed by many companies that offer outsourced software testing services.
3. IP Protection
Intellectual Property (IP) is important for any business. IP rights need to be protected, especially when partnering with any solutions (or services) provider. The SLA (Service Level Agreement) should clearly list down the information that should not be disclosed by the vendor. You should also include detailed information related to the violation of IP rights.
An experienced independent software testing company that has served multiple clients would never commit the mistake of breaching the client’s trust. Always opt for such kind of organization rather than going for a testing services company that does not have a clear-cut understanding of IP protection.
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4. Testing Infrastructure
The testing of web products has to be performed on different types of devices (desktops, mobile devices, tablets, etc.) Along with performance testing and load testing, equal emphasis should be given to cross-browser testing & other forms of user-interface testing.
A reliable and experienced software testing company will not only have good testing resources but would have also invested in the right set of testing tools to leverage the advantage offered by the cloud. Before on-boarding any independent software testing company, always check if the company has relevant software testing tools and testing infrastructure to sign-up a new QA project.
5. Mobilization
Contract development, preparation of SOW (Statement of Work), and creation of SLA (Service Level Agreement) are the integral activities of the mobilization strategy. In this phase, the client and software testing company are in the end stage of finalizing the outsourcing tasks.
The information listed in the mobilization strategy should be transparently communicated to the relevant stakeholders of the project. The interest of the independent software testing company should also be safeguarded in the legal contract (while taking the long-term perspective into account).
Also Read: 6 Common Myths About Software Testing Outsourcing
6. Communication Strategy
Communication is of paramount importance when you are planning to outsource activity related to software development and testing. Delay in communication can be catastrophic for the project.
Though communication is taken for granted for software projects, it is important to establish a clear line of communication with the testing partner. An experienced and independent software testing company like KiwiQA will lay thrust on communication and timely delivery.
In a nutshell, it is essential to partner with a software testing company that has experienced in-house resources, testing expertise, adequate testing infrastructure, meticulous planning & execution capabilities, amongst others.
Conclusion
Software testing is an integral part of any software project. Along with investing in building an in-house team of test experts, organizations are willing to partner with companies that have expertise in providing software testing services.
Executing a collaborative strategy will not only help in achieving improved product quality at lower costs but will also help in reducing the time to market. Since there are a lot of vendors providing software testing services, it is imperative to partner with a global testing company like KiwiQA that has expertise in providing software testing services to a wide range of clients.
The checklist mentioned in this blog can be a good starting point for someone who is looking to outsource critical software testing activities. When partnering with an independent software testing company, always lay emphasis on building a long-term collaboration since it will be cost-effective and reaps significant benefits in the long-run.
