Usually, when it comes to companies that provide software development services, two teams work together to add new features to any product: developers and testers. However, if we refer to the stages of the software development cycle, testing new programmed pieces is a fundamental phase it ensures the quality of the product before delivery. Given this, is software testing the developer’s responsibility, or is it necessary to have a team that focuses exclusively on quality assurance?
Software Testing Allocation
From a developer’s perspective, testing is always performed when building a new feature. It includes incorporating new code lines, debugging, verifying the new code’s performance, checking the resources used in the processing, and validating that existing features are affected. A possible motive why developers do not perform more thorough testing is lack of time; time constraints do not allow them to apply more testing or cover more modules. Such circumstances are likely due to development methodologies: the team has to stick to a clear set of deliverables. This objective does not allow them any time for other activities during the sprint.
This is where the importance and raison d'etre of the QA team becomes clear: they are specialists in all areas of the product. Testers dedicate 100% of their time to exploring the software architecture and applying extensive testing, such as integration, regression, performance, etc. They also use automated testing to optimize their time. Due to their testing tasks, testers have frequent contact with developers since they need to understand the product’s requirements and the solutions developers have implemented.
Development and Quality Assurance
Due to the above situation, software consulting organizations have opted for offering the services of both teams to clients, providing the possibility of incorporating developers focused solely on building software and testers dedicated exclusively to finding defects and areas for improvement.
At the same time, the latter has opened the door to many possibilities in regards to the training employees receive at these companies. Courses and trainings allow workers to specialize in specific fields without alienating them from the bigger landscape of possibility in their professional sphere. This also means they focus 100% of their potential and improve their skills, something that directly relates to customer satisfaction.
Notwithstanding, even though this is the environment software consulting companies operate in today, it is not clear if this will continue in the near future. It is always important to remember that time and market tendencies determine organizational paths.
Key Takeaways
- When creating software, two teams work together to add new features to the product: developers and testers.
- Even though developers apply tests when building software, they do not have enough time to perform thorough testing.
- Testers play an essential role since they dedicate 100% of their time to exploring the software architecture and applying extensive testing, such as integration, regression, performance, etc.
- Software consulting organizations have opted for offering the services of both teams to clients, providing the possibility of incorporating developers focused solely on building software and testers dedicated exclusively to finding defects and areas for improvement.
About Encora
If you are looking for a software partner who will guarantee the excellence of your digital products by applying in-depth quality assurance testing, Encora is your solution. Get in touch today!
