Quality assurance is the secret to building exceptional software

As a software engineer, product manager, or owner, you probably think you know what QA is. You already know that it means exploring software, and looking for any issues or bugs, before making it available to the public. But the reality is that there is a lot more to QA than meets the eye.

QA is about more than just bug-finding

A lot of folks think of QA as a curse – an expense and bottleneck that slows down development. Quality control is the backbone of great software and is worth a lot more respect and time than it gets. A good QA engineer will not simply attempt to “break” an application. They’ll look at it in big-picture terms, thinking of things such as UX, performance, security, accessibility, and fit with product needs.

QA is integrated throughout the entire development lifecycle

A good QA process is not a sprint at the end of a development cycle. It’s deployed all along the software lifecycle. QA engineers are the hands-on guys that make test plans, find edge cases, and work to ensure a products quality for all stakeholders. They refactor repetitive tests so regressions can be detected early. And they work with product managers to make sure the final software is actually usable.

QA helps mitigate risk

QA reduces risk. Even with a very careful and talented team of developers, when the software hits the production stage, there’s always some unforeseen problem. A good quality assurance process makes sure you catch those bugs before they’re in the hands of your customers – to avoid costly bugs, dissatisfied users, and brand damage.

QA is a strategic investment, not an unnecessary expense

Imagine this: would you buy a car without driving it for a test drive? Of course not. You don’t want it to break or anything, you want all its features to work and nothing to fall into. Software is no different. QA is your opportunity to validate your product prior to it’s release and you know that it will work well in the hands of your customers.

Leading companies understand the value of QA

The companies who do realize this – that think of QA as an investment and not an afterthought – are the ones that are going to create the best, most reliable software. And they know that quality assurance is not just about bugs. You have to build phenomenal UX, you’ve got to reduce the risk, you’ve got to position their products for success.

QA deserves more respect and attention

So the next time you want to skimp on QA or are annoyed by the effort and time that goes into it, take a step back and remember: great software is not accidental. You need people who are passionate about quality and hard-working. And that’s what a premier QA team can bring to the table.