Outsourcing Software Testing: Best Practices and Benefits

Software testing is an integral part of software product development. Launching an untested or undertested application is a recipe for disaster. Nowadays, many companies prefer to begin the testing phase as early as possible to accelerate the process and avoid cumbersome backlogs. However, software testing is a complex process that requires technical acumen, industry knowledge, and skillful talent.

But what if an organization is versed in mobile and web development services but lacks the expertise to run all the necessary tests? In this case, you can consider outsourcing software testing. A form of project delegation, outsourcing allows companies to cut costs, increase efficiency, and gain scalability. In this article, we will explore how outsourcing software testing helps companies build better solutions and take a look at the best practices of project delegation.

Why Outsource Software Testing?

Software testing outsourcing refers to delegating a part or the entire testing process to an independent specialist or IT company. Running tests to ensure the application is ready for the market is a complex process that requires a lot of experience and the right systems. Companies that do not possess the infrastructure to test their applications often choose to outsource. 

In fact, there are numerous reasons for outsourcing software testing, from lack of in-house expertise to cost efficiency. Hiring talent to fill this role can be expensive and lengthy, especially if you’re located in a smaller area. Instead, organizations can simply delegate the testing part to a trusted expert and focus their energy on core business and development tasks. 

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Software Testing

Depending on your business goals, budget, and internal resources, software testing outsourcing can be beneficial or detrimental. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of delegating the testing process.

Pros of Outsourcing Software Testing

Cost-effective

The cost of a bug becomes exponentially higher when the application goes into production. If your in-house team does not have the expertise or software to run all necessary tests, outsourcing is the best option. Hiring an internal QA team, acquiring all the required software, and training the staff to be able to conduct industry-standard quality assurance is significantly more expensive than outsourcing software testing. Furthermore, a seasoned team of testers will perform tests a lot faster, which will shorten time-to-market. 

There are three main IT engagement models, including Time and material, Fixed, and Dedicated teams:

• In Time and material, the provider charges the client based on the changing resources and time dedicated to the project. In other words, the scope is dynamic and can alter during the project timeline.
• In Fixed price, the client is billed a predetermined amount of money required to deliver a well-defined scope.
• Dedicated teams are teams assigned by the service provider to handle a certain part of the project during a set timeframe.

Skillful Talent

Although automated testing tools can catch a big portion of common bugs, they do tend to miss certain flaws that a human would instantly notice. Additionally, such applications are usually quite costly to purchase and set up. To avoid the risk of going into the production phase with a bugged software solution, many companies opt for outsourcing software testing. 

Wide Range of Tests

Software testing is not a simple task and involves a wide array of various scenarios. A seasoned QA team knows which tests to run, how to script them, and how to evaluate the results. The most common mobile testing types include: 

• Performance testing aims to determine how well the application holds up under different circumstances to identify the breaking point. 
• Localization testing refers to checking whether the solution works well in global markets. 
• Functional testing puts the application under pressure to detect how the functionality and user experience perform. 
• Security testing evaluates how well your application is safeguarded against the most ubiquitous cyberattacks. 
• Exploratory testing is meant to check the system against various other types of bugs and flaws that other tests have failed to catch. 

Resource Allocation

While a software testing outsourcing team is focused on running tests, your in-house employees can devote their time to achieving core business goals. By offloading QA services to an external partner, you can focus your energy on product improvement, customer experience, marketing strategies, and more. Even if you don’t have a robust IT department, you can allocate your team efforts towards tasks they are good at instead of wasting resources on hiring processes or training sessions.

Faster Time-to-Market

Delaying a product launch even by a few days can be detrimental to the overall success of the application on the market. Trends change, new solutions come out, and needs shift and evolve, all making the timely release highly crucial. Shortening the testing phase and ensuring the product’s utmost quality will help you meet the desired success. Moreover, you can work in shifts with your partner if they’re based in a different time zone, thus testing the product at night and developing new features during the day. 

Scalability

Businesses go through phases that enable them to expand or downsize to meet the market demands. These fluctuations require a rapid response to shrink or grow your operations, including testing activities. A software testing partner can make the transition seamless by organically adding new team members or removing some to accommodate your needs. 

Objective Assessment

Working on the same project for months and months can lead to a certain level of fatigue. It’s difficult to catch small mistakes or areas for improvement after devoting a lot of time to the same task or series of tasks. These blindspots can be harmful to the overall performance and quality of the application. A new and impartial look at the solution not only will help you identify potential bugs but also bring fresh ideas to the mix to make the product better for the consumer.

Cons of Outsourcing Software Testing

Security Issues

Handing over your sensitive information to a third-party company can be quite nerve-wracking. Outsourcing software testing (or any other part of the software development process) does pose a larger threat to the security of your data. However, this concern can be mitigated with a thorough vetting process. 

Make sure you choose a service provider who adheres to standard security measures to guarantee the privacy of your company’s information. Among others, reliable IT agencies offer data encryption, single sign-on (SSO) authentication, disaster recovery plans, and network firewalls. Don’t hesitate to ask the potential software testing outsourcing companies about how they will deliver a security-first service to your company. 

Lack of Control

Outsourcing software testing to another firm often leads to a partial loss of control over the processes. This can result in subpar outcomes and subsequently poor quality of the application. Especially if you lack technical expertise when it comes to quality assurance, controlling the performance of each test may become challenging. 

To avoid lackluster quality, it’s imperative to find a partner who prioritizes open and continuous communication. Working with such a company allows you to always stay informed about the current status and contribute your ideas and needs on the go. 

Location Differences

Hiring an external IT company to handle your testing processes often means working with an overseas team. This can lead to a wealth of bottlenecks, both legal and time-related. For example, different countries have various data protection laws and regulations that may affect your application. Additionally, working with a company based in a different time zone can hinder communication and slow down collaboration. 

Before outsourcing software testing to an agency, establish how and when you will stay in touch. Make sure to have regular calls, ask for weekly or monthly reports, and identify the main person of contact. Figuring out these details before the project begins will spare you misunderstandings and deliver a much more efficient collaboration. 

When Outsourcing Software Testing is Best

Not every company and project will gain from outsourcing the software testing process to a third-party firm. In this section, we will try to determine examples of outsourcing scenarios when project delegation is a preferable option.

Lack of Skills Internally

If you pinpoint a weakness in your quality assurance team or your organization doesn’t have one to begin with, outsourcing software testing is a great option. Partnering up with an experienced team of testers allows you to widen the pool of candidates and acquire the best talent for the job. Building a strong in-house department is a lengthy process that might significantly delay the product launch. 

Facing a Tight Deadline

Another reason for outsourcing software testing is hitting an approaching deadline. Postponing a product launch will not only disappoint the stakeholders and investors but may also lead to missed opportunities for growth. While many markets are saturated, releasing an application even slightly later can halt the success of the product. Businesses delegate their QA processes to ensure the application’s functionality without endlessly delaying the launch date. 

Need for Outside Perspective

Software development takes months to deliver. When people work on the same project for an extended period of time, they often develop blindspots and cannot notice bugs and issues. A newcomer will offer a fresh perspective and provide tangible tips to make the application faster and better. Additionally, reliable software testing outsourcing companies can assist in improving general aspects such as the usability and functionality of the solution. 

Short-Term Project

Assembling a brand-new team is a costly and long process that will inevitably delay the product launch. Although it might be worth the effort for a project that will last years, companies that handle short-term projects will not win anything. For a project that only lasts a few weeks or months, outsourcing software testing is a guaranteed money and time saver. 

Rapid Growth

Organizations that are experiencing rapid growth or are likely to see it in the near future are likely to benefit from outsourcing software testing. When your product is about to expand, the need for scalable human and software resources becomes imminent. An IT agency usually has numerous testers on its staff who are ready to jump on the project whenever the need occurs. 

Unique Project or Niche

Finally, professional QA services have the resources and technical prowess to meet the unique needs of their clients. Finding talent in your area who has the exact experience and skill set in your particular niche can be very challenging. IT companies that offer outsourcing software testing have a wide range of candidates to deliver the best person for the job. 

Best Practices for Outsourcing Software Testing

If you decide to opt for outsourced software testing, you may face a slew of obstacles and challenges. Let’s break down the industry best practices that will aid you in a successful cooperation.

Evaluate the Service Provider

A thoughtful vetting process is the most important step in outsourcing software testing. Devote your time to a thorough and deep investigation of the potential IT partner before starting the collaboration. There are numerous ways of examining the trustworthiness of the service provider, from checking their references and visiting their site to reading client reviews and ratings. 

Besides technical expertise, a good partner should have experience in your industry. Especially for more niche or heavily regulated sectors like healthcare or finances, making sure the company has a lengthy list of successful cases is paramount. 

Check Limitations

Every company, no matter its size or resources, has its limitations. For example, a smaller QA startup may not have the software required to test a large-scale complex project rigorously. At the same time, they are more likely to provide a dedicated service to build up their reputation and gather positive feedback. Investigate the strengths and weaknesses of each potential partner to identify which better correspond with your needs. 

Look for Niche Specialists

Industry expertise is especially vital for highly regulated sectors like healthcare. Different industries require various specialized tools to run specific tests. Look for a company that offers substantial experience in your particular industry to ensure compliance. 

For example, a healthcare application is expected to be extremely safe to protect patients’ data under HIPAA and GDPR. Any vulnerability may result in devastating outcomes, both legally and financially. Similarly, banking and eCommerce apps require robust security protocols to avoid the exposure of sensitive information. 

Ensure Smooth Communication

Aside from technical expertise and industry acumen, soft skills are also a great indicator of a company’s trustworthiness. Make sure your future partner offers transparent and open communication before, during, and after the project. A reliable service provider is always willing to answer your questions, provide proof of experience, and offer expert help. 

Set Relevant Metrics

Measuring the outcomes of a task is nearly impossible without concrete and tangible goals. Before starting the collaboration, establish vital metrics that will help you measure the success of the testing processes. Here are some of the most common KPIs that assess software testing: 

• Active defects calculate how many defects are currently in the application. Choose an acceptable number of active defects based on your or your partner’s experience. 
• Automated tests set the threshold for how many tests can be performed using automated tools as opposed to manual tests. 
• Tests executed is the number of tests completed, both automatically and manually. 

Conduct Regular Audits

Even after you begin your collaboration, continue to regularly evaluate your IT partner. This will help ensure that the company provides a consistent and high-quality service. The assessment criteria are vast and can include the quality of defect reporting, the number of missed bugs, the quality of documentation, testing efficiency, and others. 

Cultural Compatibility

Another pertinent criterion is cultural compatibility. This can range from speaking the same language, living in a similar time zone, operating at the same pace, methods of handling delays, etc. It’s important to discuss these nuances early to avoid misunderstandings and disappointment. 

How to Set up a Fruitful Partnership

Establishing a fruitful and respectful partnership is a two-way street and requires input from both sides. Let’s discuss how to ensure a smooth collaboration and avoid common mistakes. 

Choose the Primary Person of Contact

Especially if you’re working in different time zones, maintaining constant communication is a key to success. Designate a primary person of contact on both sides to ensure nothing gets lost or forgotten in the correspondence. 

Involve the QA Team as Early as Possible 

Most modern mobile application development services adopt the methodology that dictates early testing. The sooner you involve the testing team, the easier the transition. Aside from improving the quality of software, early testing will also help the external team understand the product and your business goals. 

Build Trust

Micromanagement is not the best approach to collaborating and building trust is a key element. Although regular calls and reports are an integral part of outsourcing software testing, the ability to rely on people and trust their expertise goes a long way. 

A vital part of establishing rapport is honing teamwork. Listen to their feedback to ensure their concerns are addressed and handled. It’s also important to get to know your partners on the human level to facilitate a long-term partnership. Even if your cooperation is temporary and short-term, it’s recommended to treat them as your partners and make them feel at ease.

Final Thoughts

The testing process can be complex and lengthy whether you do it in-house or hire an outsourced software testing team. However, trusted software testers can be a reliable source that brings your product to the market. If you’re considering outsourcing to a testing firm, get in touch with NIX. We are a team of engineers, testers, and other technical specialists with decades of experience. Our extensive portfolio of successful cases is a testament to our dedication, technical prowess, and customer orientation. Reach out to us to discuss your needs and launch your product bug-free.