Importance of Software Quality Assurance
Quality in tech is more important than ever, with software now managing everything from mission-critical systems to everyday mobile apps. Yet software defects continue causing massive costs and headaches. A recent study found that software failures cost the US economy $2.41 trillion annually! Such eye-popping numbers highlight why software quality assurance (QA) and software testing are essential.
What is Software Quality Assurance
It is the set of processes for ensuring that software products meet performance, reliability, and security expectations. It comprises multiple activities, including, requirements reviews, test planning, writing test cases, executing tests, logging defects, and tracking fixes. Robust QA is crucial because of the manifold benefits it delivers:
- Fewer issues reaching end-user & increased user satisfaction
- Business credibility improvements
- Increased sales, brand reputation, revenue
Issue Reduction Reaching End-User
Software QA and software testing helps prevent defects from reaching end-users. By detecting issues earlier in software development cycles through extensive testing, problems can be fixed before software gets deployed. This reduces critical incidents customers would otherwise experience, improving user experiences and satisfaction. Based on our experience and observations, companies that prioritize QA deliver higher-quality software and are more likely to succeed in the fierce competition of software products and solutions.
Here are a few examples of what can happen if software issues reach the customer:
- Boeing 737 Max Crashes: Software problems contributed to 2 fatal crashes, killing 346 people total. Cost Boeing over $20 billion in fixes, lawsuits, and canceled orders.
- Healthcare.gov (US) issues: The 2013 launch of the US health insurance website was riddled with defects. This led to billions in additional spending to fix issues.
- 911 System outages: Software bugs have caused 911 emergency service outages periodically. Lives were put at risk while systems were down.
Business Credibility Improvements
Software companies that invest in Software QA gain additional credibility with customers and industry partners. Their ability to deliver reliable, well-tested products demonstrates a commitment to quality. Strong QA practices inspire confidence in the brand and its offerings. Customers are more likely to trust and remain loyal to companies with reputations for quality software delivery. That credibility opens doors to more sales opportunities.
Boost in Sales
Based on our observations, software that has implemented QA processes and gone through comprehensive software testing tends to sell better for several reasons. It has fewer bugs and frustrations that lead to returns or bad reviews. Demonstrated product quality satisfies customers who spread positive word-of-mouth; those advantages combine to drive organic growth in sales.
Additionally, the business credibility earned by QA investment can be capitalized into bigger sales deals and fundraisings. Prospects trust the brand's ability to deliver and are more willing to purchase higher-value offerings. And investors are more willing to help them achieve more. The boost in credibility, satisfaction, and referrals makes well-tested software much easier to sell.
The Fastest Way to a Good Quality Product
For companies that lack robust internal QA capabilities or resources, outsourcing software QA services can be the fastest path to building quality products. Here at TestDevLab, we can introduce QA processes from the ground up and offer a wide range of software testing services, starting from simple exploratory testing and manual testing to test automation and custom testing tool development.
Make your step towards a successful product today! Reach out to us.