Quality assurance engineering is a part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) that’s not often discussed but still holds the fort to successful software deployment.
If you ask any tech CEO, they’ll reiterate how crucial QA engineering is to a successful software launch. But the real question is—does it still carry the same weight in today’s AI-automated era?
When code is being generated by AI and Copilots, is QA testing still required? The requirement for QA testing is likely higher now than it was previously. This blog will delve into the intricacies of quality assurance (QA), its influence on business operations, and the continuous evolution in the automation era.
QA Engineering: The Hidden Force Behind Stable Products
The success of any digital product depends on the process it is built with.
Let’s try to understand this with a simple analogy. Before you put a car on the road, you would run a lot of testing to make sure it works well, meets safety regulations, has a good engine and brakes, and has lights that operate properly.
The car will be ready to go after it passes all the testing. It’s the same with making software. Before releasing software or a digital product, you must ensure that all requirements are met, all features work perfectly, there are no issues, and the user experience is optimal.
Tracing its roots back to the manufacturing industry during World War II, quality assurance gradually made its way to the software development industry. The early software development followed the waterfall methodology, which divided the entire process into different stages. Quality assurance is the last stage of the waterfall model, where dedicated QA engineers test the final product for its viability, accuracy, and robustness.
With time, the QA domain has changed massively. It’s no longer the last stage of software product development; rather, it now has a more comprehensive role to play in SDLC.
A Sneak-Peek into Types of QA Testing
QA engineering is no longer a cookie-cutter solution. QA Engineers follow various methodologies based on the specific project requirements. Here’s a sneak peek into different types of software testing:
1. Manual Testing: Manual QA testing has been employed for a considerable time. It’s manual; there’s no tool to automate the process. Testers run test cases to ensure the usability and correctness of the software environment. Manual testing is ad hoc and time-consuming.
2. Automated Testing: Unlike manual testing, automated testing is quick, reliable, and consistent. A test script is developed and run through automation tools to evaluate the software’s performance. AI tools play a key role in automated testing.
3. Unit Testing: Software is composed of multiple units. Unit testing focuses on evaluating individual units to make sure all of them are performing properly. This is typically done by the developers during the development phase with tools like PyTest (for Python), JUnit (for Java), NUnit (for .NET), etc.
4. System Testing: It tests the entire software as a whole. System testing is used for validating the end-to-end business scenario of a software development process.
5. Acceptance Testing (UAT): This test is done by a sample of end users before the application or software launch. It helps in determining whether or not the software meets the business needs.
These are some of the popularly known and well-adapted types of QA testing being used across the globe.
Significance of QA for Business
Clean code, innovative functionalities, and captivating UI/UX are the foundation of a great product. Quality assurance makes sure that all these elements work together to provide a wonderful experience to users. Here are some of the significant ways in which QA services benefit the business:
1. Saves Cost: Detecting anomalies at early stages of SDLC helps CTO save unnecessary costs that may occur because of faulty codes or lagging functionalities. Software development is expensive; therefore, rework is not the most thrilling idea for any business owner.
2. Better Customer Experience: Testing ensures bug-free functionalities and a smooth interface. This leads to user satisfaction, better reviews, and more customer retention for businesses.
3. Faster Time-to-Market: For any business, time is money. Bug fixes and anomaly detection during different stages of the SDLC lead to reduced rework and result in faster app or software launches.
Future of QA in the Automation Era
Quality assurance is no longer just a way to check things at the end of development. It is now a deliberate, technology-driven effort that affects how things are developed and delivered. As digital transformation speeds up, quality assurance (QA) is about to change a lot. Here’s a look at where it’s going:
1. AI and Machine Learning have Stepped in
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are changing the way quality assurance works. These technologies can intelligently organize test cases, find flaws on their own, and even forecast when bugs may happen in the future. QA teams can do more tests, do fewer manual chores, and get information that they couldn’t get before. AI-powered tools are making this possible.
2. CI/CD has Led to Ongoing Testing
As Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD) become more popular, testing too needs to be altered. By conducting automated tests at every stage of the development process it makes sure that every version is stable and ready to be released. This adjustment will help teams get things done faster, with more confidence, and with fewer problems.
3. Shift in Work Trajectory of QA Engineers
As more and more things are getting automated, there will be a growing need for people who can code as well as understand how systems work and grasp the foundations of DevOps. It will also be vital to have soft skills like being able to communicate with others, think critically, and understand what users need in order to bring teams together.
The Next Steps
We can’t predict every change, but we do know that quality assurance is becoming smarter, more efficient, and more connected. For businesses, it is important to understand that with more software built with AI, teams adapt with automation tools that are required for testing products.
Having all the resources in-house can be challenging; switching to an experienced QA services provider can be a smart move. At Arna, with a team of 100+ software experts fluent in cutting-edge technologies, we provide services that optimize and future-proof your digital products and solutions.
We take care of end-to-end software development so that business owners can focus on more strategic aspects of their business. If you’re ready to leverage automation that drives efficiency, you can get in touch with us here!
