Quality assurance (QA) serves a vital role in custom software development by identifying any errors in code or design before the final delivery. That ensures the reliability of the software once it’s released to the end-user.
But QA isn’t simply a task completed at the end of a project. Integrating QA mitigates risks at all stages. For example, the quality assurance team would start by defining the components of the deliverables. Next, they’d work through each step of the development process to ensure those goals are met by the code and design.
As a result, the final software application works properly without any bugs, and customers get a quality product that they are happy to use.
What is quality assurance?
QA helps to identify flaws in software code or design to ensure the final product is secure and performs as expected. It also prevents time delays and reduces costs by ensuring the software works as required when it’s released to the end-users.
How does quality assurance work in the development process?
Quality assurance starts when a software development project begins by helping with the initial requirements and setting the parameters to ensure the final product meets the client’s needs. That includes creating test cases and scripts as necessary throughout the process, as well as conducting final tests before the software is released.
The overall goal of quality assurance is to ensure that the client receives a solution that meets their needs and serves the intended purpose. In other words, it helps the client get the solution that they wanted and paid for.
What are the benefits of quality assurance?
QA offers benefits to any software project, including…
- Quality
- Security
- Cost Savings
- Time Savings
- Customer satisfaction
Let’s discuss each benefit in detail.
Quality
Quality is one of the biggest benefits of QA, as the service is designed to create a product that works reliably. This process includes testing for functionality, security, usability, performance, and other factors. It ensures that the final product works as expected and meets the needs of both the customer and the end-user. That includes testing for user error or improper use that may cause the software to fail.
Security
Software security is a vital part of the QA process. Weaknesses in the software can compromise both the product and the users, including the risk of unintentionally disclosing confidential data. QA ensures the product’s safeguards work properly to prevent these issues.
Cost Savings
Fixing errors and bugs throughout the software development process also can prevent future issues. In the long run, that saves money by streamlining the process and preventing large-scale failures that will cost even more to solve later on.
Time Savings
Time and cost savings are closely related as bigger errors require more time and money to fix in later project phases. Additionally, fixing bugs at the end of the project can delay its release, adding more time (and expense) to the process.
Customer satisfaction
One of the most important benefits of QA is improving customer satisfaction for both the client and the end-user. Producing a high-quality product reflects on everyone in the process. QA ensures the software gives everyone exactly what they expect.
Conclusion
QA is a key part of creating a software application that works properly and serves the needs of the end-users.
InApp understands the importance of QA in customer software development. We have an in-house Independent Software Testing department that provides full-cycle QA and testing services, as well as custom testing for individual components.
Our certified International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) professionals use established testing protocols for each stage of your software product lifecycle, including development, implementation, and maintenance.
Contact us for more information.