Let’s take a look at a software development project where a client company refrains from hiring a Quality Assurance engineer to “cut costs” (as they believe). Such companies ask themselves: “Why should I hire a QA engineer from the project’s beginning when I could bring one on board during the last phase and cut costs?
Remember the saying, “Penny wise, pound foolish,” and we can’t agree more when it comes to companies who believe they can save money by avoiding software testing services. While such decisions may seem smart initially, they often lead to a host of problems and result in even bigger expenses than planned.
In today’s article, we will help you understand why no software development project can succeed without a dedicated team of QA engineers and how they can help you save significant money.
Why is software testing and QA important for any business?
According to the latest CISQ report, cybercrime losses due to existing software vulnerabilities rose by 64% from 2020 to 2021. Which is why, it is imperative for companies to implement software quality practices to mitigate such risks and safeguard against potential losses.
Moreover, according to another earlier CISQ report, US companies lost a staggering $2.08 trillion in 2020 because of poor software quality. And yes, a significant portion of this loss could have been prevented with sufficient testing.
Thus, you might ask: how does QA save money? Software testing and quality assurance are indispensable components of any business operation. They ensure the software meets the intended requirements and functions as expected, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Software testing is important as it identifies and rectifies defects early in the development process, preventing costly issues from arising later and saving time and resources.
It’s important to understand that software testing is not a bonus or a gift service but an essential part of any standard process. QA is necessary during the software development process, and these practices contribute to building a strong reputation for reliability and professionalism, which can attract more customers and opportunities. Thus, investing in software testing and QA is essential for businesses to deliver high-quality products, maintain customer trust, and achieve long-term success. But let’s dive into the details.
What are the benefits of QA testing?
At KITRUM, our aim isn’t simply to provide services or gather as many developers as possible. Our focus is on delivering top-notch products that precisely match your requirements. That’s why we offer comprehensive teams, including QA engineers, to manage every aspect of your project. Our developers and QA engineers collaborate closely to ensure optimal outcomes tailored to your needs. So, how can you benefit from testing?
Bugs early identification
The most important goal of any QA engineer is to identify a bug. However, it’s not just about identifying issues but also about the timing of their discovery. Identifying bugs early in the software development process is crucial for saving money and ensuring the overall success of a project. The later a bug is discovered in the software development process, the higher the associated costs.
Without the expertise of a QA engineer, spotting these bugs during the initial stages of development becomes nearly impossible. However, when QA engineers are involved from the outset, they can identify and address potential issues before they escalate, significantly reducing the time and resources required for bug fixes later on.
Preventing re-work and maintenance costs
Thorough testing is a tough shield against the costly adversaries of re-work and maintenance. When QA engineers detect and rectify potential issues early, they preempt the need for extensive re-work and ongoing maintenance.
Consider a scenario where a critical bug eludes detection during initial testing and manifests itself post-deployment. The subsequent need to identify, address, and rectify the issue demands considerable time and resources and disrupts operational continuity, leading to potential revenue loss and tarnished reputation.
Conversely, when bugs are identified and resolved upfront through rigorous testing protocols, the software emerges resilient and reliable, sparing organizations from the burdensome cycle of reactive maintenance.
Preventing delays in project timelines
Software testing is like having a project roadmap that helps teams avoid traffic jams. Testing gives teams a clear picture of how their software works and where potential roadblocks might pop up. This means QA engineers can fix issues before they become big problems, keeping the project on track. Plus, when everyone understands what needs to be done from the get-go, there’s less chance of confusion or mistakes later on. So, software testing isn’t just about catching bugs; it’s about ensuring the project keeps moving forward smoothly and gets done on time.
Improving customer satisfaction and retention
Software testing isn’t just about ensuring software works; it’s about ensuring it works exceptionally well. Proper software testing is vital in improving customer satisfaction by ensuring that software is of the highest quality before it reaches customers. When customers encounter software that functions seamlessly, meets their needs, and exceeds their expectations, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their experience.
Satisfied customers are more likely to continue using the software and recommend it to others, thereby contributing to increased retention and organic growth. In today’s competitive market, where customer experience is paramount, delivering software of high quality through thorough testing becomes a cornerstone of long-term business success. After all, happy customers aren’t just good for business today; they’re the foundation for sustained growth and prosperity tomorrow.
Minimizing risks and avoiding legal costs (and problems)
Software defects can be more than just technical glitches; they can also lead to significant legal ramifications and associated expenses. When software fails to perform as intended, it can result in financial losses, data breaches, or even personal harm to users, opening the door to potential lawsuits and legal liabilities.
For instance, a banking application that erroneously processes transactions could lead to financial losses for customers, triggering legal action for negligence or breach of contract. Similarly, healthcare software with a bug that compromises patient data could violate privacy regulations, inviting costly penalties and legal repercussions. However, thorough testing is a crucial line of defense against such risks by identifying and rectifying defects before they escalate into legal issues.
Therefore, software testing helps organizations mitigate the potential for legal liabilities, safeguarding their reputation, finances, and customer trust. In essence, investing in comprehensive testing minimizes the risk of software failures and protects businesses from the costly legal consequences that may follow.
Real-world examples of inappropriate testing
However, not only companies with little experience might want to save money by avoiding a QA team, but also giants, which seem to have vast experience, have also thought like this and gotten into big trouble. Let’s venture into real-world situations that prove the importance of having a Quality Assurance team from the project’s beginning.
British Airways
In 2016, British Airways experienced a catastrophic IT failure due to a software glitch in their booking system, resulting in thousands of canceled flights, stranded passengers, and an estimated £80 million in compensation payouts. This incident vividly demonstrates the significant financial ramifications of inadequate testing. By prioritizing thorough QA procedures beforehand, British Airways could have averted the costly fallout and preserved customer trust, avoiding the severe repercussions of a tarnished reputation and regulatory scrutiny. We guess hiring a Quality Assurance team would be a little bit less expensive, huh?
In 2018, Facebook faced a significant data breach, exposing millions of users’ personal information to unauthorized parties, resulting in substantial regulatory fines and reputational damage. If they had implemented robust security testing and quality assurance protocols, these vulnerabilities could have been detected and mitigated earlier, averting costly financial and reputational consequences for Facebook. Because it’s so easy! Look:
Launch of the Affordable Care Act website
Upon its 2013 debut, the Healthcare.gov website, a key component of the Affordable Care Act, encountered major technical hurdles such as crashes, sluggish response times, and authentication errors, largely due to hurried development and insufficient testing. Subsequent efforts to rectify these issues led to significant delays and incurred millions of dollars in extra expenses. Had there been a focus on comprehensive testing and quality assurance during development, the rollout could have been more seamless, mitigating costs for taxpayers and the government while averting public dissatisfaction.
But not everything is so bad! For example, Google, renowned for its steadfast dedication to quality, demonstrates a meticulous approach to software testing. This commitment is underscored by the publication of “How Google Tests Software” in 2012, offering insights into their rigorous testing methodologies.
The book emphasizes the significance of automation, continuous integration, and user-focused testing strategies in Google’s testing processes. By prioritizing quality throughout development, Google not only meets but exceeds user expectations, which is evident in the widespread popularity of its products like Gmail, Google Search, Maps, and YouTube. Google’s unwavering focus on quality assurance fosters user confidence, driving loyalty and solidifying its position as a tech industry leader.
Be like Google! 🙂
Conclusion
If there’s one thing to remember after reading our article, it’s this: the success of a project relies heavily on the meticulousness of its testing processes.
We know that companies face a crucial choice: adhere to rigorous testing protocols for assured success or risk project implementation without it. At KITRUM, we understand the significance of this choice. Recognizing the pivotal role of testing in project success, we’ve made a deliberate decision to invest in and cultivate our Testing Center Of Excellence.
By establishing a dedicated TCoE, we elevate the quality and reliability of our software solutions. Our commitment to excellence ensures that our clients receive products and services of the highest caliber, meticulously tested and refined to meet their exacting standards.
We empower our teams to adopt industry-leading testing methodologies, leverage cutting-edge tools, and implement best practices to deliver exceptional outcomes. Whether identifying and rectifying bugs early in the development process or optimizing performance and user experience, our QAs play a pivotal role in every project delivery stage.
At KITRUM, we don’t just deliver projects; we ensure their success through the unwavering dedication of our Testing Center Of Excellence.
