When many product companies begin the search for a QA
provider, they have a very small list of requirements; just a few boxes that
the partner must be able to check off. Obviously, one of the key requirements
is that prospective partner actually offers the type of testing that the
company needs performed.
Unfortunately, many companies are in a hurry to get their
testing implemented, and will stop searching as soon as they find a partner
that meets this basic need. But there are a few other areas that you should be
considering when researching and vetting different software testing companies.
Here they are:
Talent & Scalability
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| Software Testing Company |
Make sure that your software testing company staffs true QA
experts: engineers who are trained in the latest testing methodologies and
tools, and who are committed to testing as a career path rather than a mere
stepping stone to development. It also helps to have domain and automation
experts on your side, because they can uncover common yet easily overlooked
bugs and help make your testing process more efficient.
Another great aspect of outsourcing to a competent QA partner is the flexibility they offer. Expand your QA team as needed, then
scale back when the work is finished -- you’re under no obligation to retain
your team. They can grow right along with you, or they can shrink right along
with you, it’s your choice!
Great Culture
Talent and expertise are one thing, but how does the company
treat their engineers? Do they respect their knowledge and experience and do
their best to retain them? Software testing companies that invest in their
teams see increased productivity, show higher retention rates, and generally
retain big-name clients.
Before you begin onboarding, find out as much as you can
about how the company operates, how the communication structure works, and what
they do to ensure seamless team extension. All of these factors will influence
and shape your working relationship going forward.
Tech Infrastructure
Does the partner have the technological infrastructure to
support your testing needs? For usability and performance testing, it’s
important that your QA partner can provide all of the necessary devices (Mac,
PC, iPhone, Android, etc.) and accommodate all of the OS and environments that
your product runs on. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck buying and upgrading your
testing platforms yourself!
Reputation & Track Record
It’s important to take into account what your software testing company is doing today, but it’s also important to look back and see
where they’ve come from. Look at their list of clients and note how many
they’ve retained over the years, read their testimonials, and ask them about
what their future goals are. This will help give a more complete picture of the
company and whether they’ll be the right fit for you and your specific needs.
There’s much more to a software testing company than basic
offerings. To make sure you end up with the partner that will be a right fit
today and in the future, do your research! Look for characteristics that align
with the areas outlined above.
