In today’s technological world, software development deals with different frameworks, and in all of them, there is a constant requirement to deliver a quality product. This could be in the form of mobile applications, websites, or even bespoke software. Quality Assurance Tester​ confirms that the product and processes performed in the company are not reliable and are protected with qualified checking. 

Unfortunately, the overriding purpose of Hire QA Engineers is often misunderstood. Most people are of the opinion that they perform the function of ‘bug finders’. However, they need to appreciate that their scope of work is much more inclusive and covers all aspects of a software Quality Assurance Tester​ , from planning to execution.

At AtheosTech, we realize the importance of having a Dedicated Testing Team that interfaces with a development team. The considerations associated with the proper functioning of QA Engineers go beyond the metrics of bugs that are identified. Their more important contribution is the process of eliminating bugs, which leads to a better overall program.

What is Quality Assurance?

Let’s outline the definition of Quality Assurance (QA) before explaining its importance. In the case of software, QA ensures that a software product meets minimum standards of quality. It is commonly confused with testing, but it involves more than just identifying bugs. The main objective is to verify that the software is working properly, easy to navigate, and does not cause or escalate problems that would result in adverse effects, harm the user experience, or compromise the system.

As opposed to QA, which is all about preventing errors from occurring, Quality Control (QC) is focused on discovering defects in a finished product. QA encompasses all the activities that are carried out from project planning, construction, and adherence to applicable standards and procedures, best practices, and industry-accepted benchmarks.

QA is defined as building the product right the first time. This outlines a proactive rather than a reactive approach where attention to detail is paid on all levels during each phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC), starting from planning to delivery.

Why is QA So Important?

1. Preventing Costly Mistakes

QA assumes critical significance when weighing the cost of resolving issues during the later stages of a project’s life cycle. Issues discovered in the early stages are cheaper to resolve. More expensive to fix are issues discovered post-product launch. Resolving issues during the final stages may lead to project delays, increased costs, and damage to brand image.

The term ‘bug’ in software engineering describes a blemish in a computer program that results in the software malfunctioning. While some bugs can cause limited damage, other bugs can be catastrophic, causing the system to crash, shutting down critical services, losing irreplaceable data, or creating backdoors for malicious users. The longer such bugs are ignored or undiscovered, the higher the cost and complexity involved in resolving them.

Consider the case of a banking application. Assume that you have developed a banking mobile application. During the application’s development and testing, a flaw in its payment component remains unaddressed. This flaw means that following the application’s deployment, payments get sent out to incorrect accounts. The amount of money necessary to remove this error after deployment could run into the tens of thousands, not only for remedial programming, but also for reputational loss, legal claims, and disgruntled customers.

2. Improving Product Quality

Quality Assurance Tester encompasses much more than simple defect checks; it also includes enhancing user interaction and the quality of the product. QA Engineers/Appraisers have the responsibility to check whether the product has the required functionalities and is operating correctly as expected in the practical conditions.

QA Engineers/Appraisers participate in testing the product from the design stage through coding to post-product launch. They assess the product for usability, performance, security, and compatibility with multiple devices/operating systems. This ensures that the product functions as required, but also works flawlessly from an interaction perspective.

Users encountering bugs that affect their experience are bound to experience frustration, poor reviews, and high abandonment rates if the product isn’t properly tested and refined. These adverse events are avoided through the activities of QA Engineers/Appraisers who guarantee the software’s functioning.

3. Protecting Your Reputation

Your brand and reputation are more than money in the bank. It is a software user’s expectation that it operates seamlessly and reliably. Bugs or crashes will lead to the loss of faith in your product and brand at an alarming rate.  

A frustrating experience means users are likely to abandon the product completely, leave scathing reviews, and even share the unpleasant experience broadly. Your brand’s presence as a mark of low-quality products will make it extremely difficult to regain trust. Thorough and refined testing of the product is the only thing that your brand can rely on to protect its reputation, something QA Engineers specialize in.  

At AtheosTech, we assist in providing Quality Assurance for your brand’s reputation, something all businesses regard highly. Having a Dedicated Testing Team guarantees that the product standards are not only set, but exceeded.

What Do QA Engineers Do?

Now that we know why Hire QA Engineers is so important, let’s take a closer look at what QA Engineers do. The role of a QA engineer is much more than just running tests and looking for bugs. Their job spans several phases of the software development lifecycle and involves various tasks aimed at ensuring that the product meets high-quality standards.

1. Test the Product Throughout the Development Process

A fundamental task of a QA Engineer is to participate in every part of the software development lifecycle. In the case of a QA Engineer, all throughout the process leading to the release of the final product, he or she checks if the software’s quality standards are being observed. Rather than only performing the tests after the process, the QA Engineer executes testing throughout the entire process to make sure problems are resolved before the final stages of development.

2. Design Test Cases

For every project, QA Engineers collaborate with developers to come up with test cases. A software test case is a set of conditions that must be completed for the software to be considered “validated”. These cases confirm that the product works as intended.

3. Manual and Automated Tests  

There are two ways testing can be performed: either manually or through automation. In manual testing, QA Engineers review the work and test each step and each test case. This process helps find problems with the interface and evaluate its usability.  

With the automated test, checks are executed using tools that test a given product. Automated testing is useful in scenarios where multiple checks need to be conducted, such as verifying the functionality of a product across different operating systems or devices.  

4. Reporting and Issue Identification

If Hire QA Engineers discover a bug or an issue, an active step is taken. Developers are provided with a report detailing the issue along with all relevant details, which helps dissect the problem. Faster and clearer communication between the two parties will lead to quicker resolution of issues.  

5. Offering Quality Assessment Feedback  

Feedback on quality comes from the issues that were found and resolved. Such feedback assists the development specialists in understanding which aspects require changes and guides appropriate decisions to be made.

6. Making Sure All Terms are Complied with  

Quality Assurance makes sure that the product conforms to every single functional and non-functional requirement set forth at the commencement of the project. They check if the software performs and operates properly as anticipated during various scenarios, and check if the software meets the requirements established by the user.

The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

To ensure the highest quality of software, QA Engineers follow a structured process known as the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). The STLC consists of several stages, each designed to ensure that the product is thoroughly tested at every step.

1. Requirement Analysis: Before testing begins, the QA team reviews the project requirements to ensure that they understand what needs to be tested and how it will be tested. This is also when the team decides whether to use manual or automated testing.
   
2. Test Planning: In this stage, the QA team creates a detailed plan for how testing will be conducted, including the tools and resources needed. They also set timelines and milestones for the testing process.
   
3. Test Case Design: QA Engineers design test cases that will be used to evaluate the software. They prioritize test cases based on risk and impact.
   
4. Test Execution: This is the stage where the actual testing happens. QA Engineers run the test cases, identify any defects, and report them to the development team.
   
5. Test Closure: Once testing is complete, the QA team reviews the results and prepares a test summary report. They also provide feedback on the testing process and suggest improvements for future projects.
   

Why QA is an Investment

Some businesses may see QA as an extra cost, but in reality, Quality Assurance is an investment that saves you money and enhances your business. Here’s how:

1. Early Bug Detection Saves Money: Catching bugs early in the development process is far cheaper than fixing them after the product has been launched. The earlier bugs are detected, the easier it is to fix them and the less costly it becomes.
   
2. Preventing Damage to Reputation: Launching a product with bugs can hurt your reputation and result in lost customers. QA ensures that your product meets the highest standards, preventing damage to your brand image.
   
3. Ensuring User Satisfaction: QA ensures that your product is easy to use, works as expected, and meets customer needs. Happy customers will return and recommend your product to others, boosting your business.
   
4. Boosting Efficiency: With QA Engineers involved early in the development process, the team works more efficiently, reducing the chances of costly delays and rework.
   

Conclusion

To sum up, Quality Assurance should not be considered a luxury, but rather a component of the software development life cycle. AtheosTech is familiar with this concept and knows that Hire QA Engineers ensures products are of the highest tier of quality from the conception of the idea up to the delivery phase. They prevent problems from arising, safeguard your brand, and ensure customers have seamless encounters.

Incomplete investment in Quality Assurance raises the costs, lowers the quality of the end product, and fosters an unhappy customer base. If you intend to develop a software solution that is to be competitive in the world market today, be sure not to overlook the significance of the Hire QA Engineers. They are the defenders of quality, making sure the software works as intended and not just functions, performs at optimal levels, and provides users a satisfactory experience.