QA as a Service (QAaaS): What Is It and What Are the Key Benefits?

Did you know that the overall cost of failure that comes from poor-quality software has jumped to $2.41 trillion? In the fast and competitive world of software development, this number seems surreal, but it’s true. Many companies often decide to gamble on the success of their products and solutions and cut corners by skipping over proper software testing to get their product out on the market faster, only to have their whole enterprise feel the costly repercussions of their folly. Not worth the risk, right?

Quality assurance is a crucial part of software development that can make or break a successful product launch. So for most software owners, it's not a case of why they need software testing but when they will implement a testing strategy. 

For many companies, the cost of recruiting, training, and retaining an in-house team of dedicated and experienced QA software testers is daunting, expensive, and complicated. This is why outsourcing QA teams is growing in popularity, as it provides scalable solutions to meet demanding software needs without draining internal resources.

What is QA as a Service?

QA as a service (QAaaS) or testing as a service (TaaS), also known as QA-managed services or on-demand testing, is an outsourced model of testing performed by a third-party vendor. Similar to traditional testing services, QAaaS aims to ensure that quality is integrated into a product or service, meeting customer requirements.

So what's the difference? Unlike traditional QA testing which involves hiring an in-house team, QA as a service delivers results by connecting you with flexible professionals who bring years of experience and knowledge to the table.

Types of QA testing

QA as a service is a rather broad approach that applies to various stages of the software development life cycle. It can be implemented effectively early in the process as well as in the post-production phase. Moreover, it encompasses a wide range of QA and software testing services, including but not limited to:

• Functional testing. The most fundamental form of testing performed to validate that the software's functionality operates as expected. Most often, it's executed in the early stages of development.
• Test automation. This is a methodology that enables the execution of repetitive yet essential checks in an efficient manner. Test automation is performed by our automation QA engineers who write test scripts, execute tests using various test automation tools, and then analyze the results, providing you with a comprehensive test summary report.
• Performance testing. This methodology entails evaluating the software's performance capabilities across a multitude of conditions including, functionality, load, stress, and scalability factors.
• Security testing. This method facilitates the identification of vulnerabilities inherent to the software, which if left unaddressed, could potentially culminate in data breaches, loss of customer data, or other security-related incidents. Penetration testing is an important aspect of security testing.
• Usability testing. This test type looks at the user experience when interacting with the software being tested. It can help your designers and product teams assess how intuitive and easy-to-use products are. Usability testing is often confused with user experience and accessibility testing, so it’s important to note the difference between each.
• Compatibility testing. This test type looks to ensure that wherever the end-user accesses the product/solution, the experience is seamless regardless of the device being used, be it Android, iOS, or browser.
• Regression testing. This method looks to make sure that any new updates or changes to the software haven't impacted existing functionalities. To ensure a smooth testing process, stay up to date with the best regression testing practices.
• Exploratory testing. When traditional methods aren’t enough, exploratory testing allows QA teams to identify any bugs that may have been missed in the more structured methods employed
• Manual testing. This is often used where testing requires a human touch and requires in-depth real-life scenario testing. Manual testing is very deliberate and can be more efficient than automation in certain cases.

Each of these software testing methods is important to the overall quality assurance process, providing QA teams with insights into a software product’s readiness for release. Businesses can request any of these software testing services from their QA partner, without worrying about the impact on their own internal resources.

The benefits of using QA as a Service

Cost-effectiveness

Outsourcing testing services offers a significant cost advantage. By leveraging external expertise for testing, you eliminate the need for investing in and maintaining an in-house testing department. This reduces operational expenses and overhead costs, allowing you to reallocate resources more effectively toward other critical areas of your project.

Scalability

In addition to cost-effectiveness, outsourcing QA services allows companies to scale projects up or down without the complexities of hiring or laying off employees. Outsourced QA teams can quickly and easily adapt to the dynamic needs of your project, adjusting to your testing requirements as they change. This flexibility proves invaluable for projects that face fluctuating workloads or tight deadlines.

Knowledge and resource pool

Using outsourced QA as a solution allows businesses access to a massive pool of talent with years of experience and knowledge, that comes from working across a vast mix of industries —expertise that is impossible to gain from an in-house team. Additionally, outsourced QA service providers have access to advanced, cutting-edge tools that enable them to detect even the most subtle issues, contributing to a higher-quality end product.

Reduced management burden

In addition to being cost-effective, scalable, and resourceful, outsourcing QA services significantly reduces the drain on internal resources and management burden in a company. Responsibilities such as recruitment, training, and managing testers are entrusted to your QA partner.

The downsides of using QA as a Service

Communication challenges

Working with remote teams across different time zones can present communication challenges for companies. Disparities in schedules may lead to communication gaps and potential misunderstandings. Additionally, language barriers can further hinder effective coordination and knowledge sharing within globally distributed teams. However, you can avoid communication issues by establishing communication schedules and channels, offering multiple lines of communication, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities within the team.

Reduced control

By outsourcing QA services, organizations may face diminished direct oversight of testing procedures, potentially leading to a misalignment between the outsourced activities and the overarching goals of the project. This is why working with an experienced and well-established QA provider is vital.

Transition period

Integrating a third-party tester into your project and ensuring they comprehend it thoroughly is a process that demands time. In the initial stages, testing may progress at a more leisurely pace and with reduced efficiency until the tester gains a solid grasp of the project's details. To make this transition period go smoothly, having a buddy program in place can be a great solution to streamline the entire process.

You might be interested in: Tips for Onboarding Your New QA Partner

Who can benefit from outsourced QA as a service

Startups

New businesses and startups, with industry-shaking ideas, often run with small energetic teams. Outsourcing QA can provide startups with valuable experience and resources without the need for significant upfront investment, offering them scalable services as they grow.

Large enterprises

Large companies can benefit from outsourcing QA services by freeing up their in-house testers and resources to focus on strategically critical tasks. Enterprises also gain the flexibility of an outsourced team, which can adapt quickly to changing project needs. 

SMEs

For small and medium-sized enterprises, QA outsourcing offers a competitive edge over larger companies in their industry by streamlining processes and ensuring their products can outperform their competition.

Companies undergoing digital transformations

Companies that need short-term solutions to ensure a seamless digital transformation can use QAaaS to ensure their new systems are secure and reliable. This is especially useful for businesses in fast-paced industries, like mobile development, e-commerce, healthcare, and fintech.

Picking the right QA partner

Finding the right QA service provider is essential, but it can be challenging. While all providers claim to be top-notch, they are not created equally. To make an informed decision and navigate the array of available options, start by reading reviews from other clients. This will give you an idea of their areas of expertise and the quality of their work.

Many QAaaS providers lure clients with low price tags. However, be cautious of falling into this trap. Often, these low prices come at the cost of significant trade-offs, such as a shortage of qualified testers and inadequate testing coverage, rendering the savings not worthwhile.

Also, pay close attention to the provider's approach to communication, as poor project management can derail even the most promising testing endeavors. Choose a QA service provider that prioritizes effective communication and is responsive—like TestDevLab. 

TestDevLab has over a decade of cross-industry experience, flexible and scalable teams, over 3500+ testing devices, and solutions for organizations to gain a competitive advantage over their competition. Get in touch today and learn how embracing QA as a service can propel your business to new heights.