Quality assurance as a service: Definition, types, and benefits

Businesses today are becoming more flexible because of technological advancements. They are able to design and enhance service deliveries aided by robust IT infrastructure and software development.

However, embracing this elevation requires additional monitoring and quality measures, especially for organizations that develop software to support operational game plans. 

Some companies forget the importance of conducting proper testing to ensure that the software’s features and navigation work correctly. 

Like any other innovation, dealing with software may also involve additional risks. Investing in capable employees who will handle development, quality assurance, and performance is necessary.

Since testing is an integral part of the process of software development, experts introduce ways to help businesses achieve a strong testing strategy. The focus is to make testing more convenient and accessible.

Quality assurance as a service, also known as testing as a service or  QA managed services, is a solution to make testing more reachable to businesses globally.

What is quality assurance as a service?

Quality assurance as a service allows companies to conduct software testing through outsourcing from specialized third-party vendors.

These companies are usually composed of expert professionals who can perform comprehensive testing across different software platforms and devices.

QA as a service also promotes the quality and serviceability of software products, just like traditional testing. However, notable differences are also attributed to its implementation, including its pricing model structure. 

Hiring in-house vs. QA as a service

In hiring an in-house team, the company will need to allot a budget for the salaries, resources, training, and office space, depending on the number of testers needed.  

Meanwhile, quality assurance as a service only includes charges for the services used.

Unlike traditional testing, the emphasis is on the quality of work performed by the supplier, which will be paid by the business, rather than hiring employees.

How quality assurance as a service works

Over the years, software applications have continuously evolved, making more complex and functional features to harmonize with the global competition for software development.

This innovation calls for higher demand for testing services, considering some integrate with other software and application platforms like cloud computing for data.

IT experts with full knowledge of testing protocols have started putting up service centers to act as third-party providers for quality assurance. Companies can now conveniently look for reliable testing firms with good reputations. 

Both parties will discuss the project requirements, including the details and functions of the software to be tested, its testing type, and timelines.

The testing provider will customize the tools and strategies that are most applicable, as well as assign dedicated specialists who will handle the overall execution.

7 common types of quality assurance as a service

There are a few popular  quality assurance as a service procedures, depending on the type, nature, and functionality of the software. 

Here are some common types to guide you:

1. Function testing 

This type of software testing monitors whether a system or software application operates according to the requirements. It is a quality control procedure that guarantees that the system will operate as intended. 

It verifies features that comply with specifications and user requirements and covers the testing of the following areas:

• Unit and system
• Application programming interfaces (APIs) 
• Graphical user interface (GUI) and integration 

2. Performance testing

Unlike functional testing, performance testing concentrates on the system’s functionality under specific conditions rather than its overall operation. 

In essence, it is assessed through performance parameters such as the scalability, speed, and reliability of the system. It consists of performance evaluation and attention to non-functional aspects, to include:

• Load testing 
• Stress testing 
• Spike testing 
• Endurance testing 

3. Regression testing

This type of testing technique aims to ensure that a system’s current functionalities continue to perform as intended, even after code changes, bug repairs, or adding new features. 

It serves as a safety net to intercept bugs or unintentional regressions that may occur during the development of the system. Here are some of its testing compositions:

• Re-running test
• Catching regressions
• Maintaining stability

4. Usability testing

The user experience (UX) is the main emphasis of this type of testing. Testers assess the software’s intuitiveness and usability, highlighting areas of improvement to its navigation and design.

This type also involves observation from real users as they accomplish specific tasks using an application, website, or any other product. This testing method is categorized under the following:

• Moderated usability testing
• Unmoderated usability testing
• Guerrilla usability testing

5. Security testing

This type of testing identifies software weaknesses that hackers might consider to take advantageous actions. It is conducted to safeguard user data and assists in locating and reducing any software security threats.

Unlike the other types, security testing is a continuous activity since new threats appear regularly and continuously evolve over the years. 

It covers the following areas that help secure the software systems of clients:

• Vulnerability scanning 
• Penetration testing (pen testing)
• Security assessment 

6. Compatibility testing

Compatibility testing is a procedure that aims to ensure that software works adaptively in various settings. It’s a subset of non-functional testing where performance, dependability, and usability are the focus concerns.

It guarantees that programs will run without challenges on various hardware, operating systems, and web browsers. It ensures a constant user experience across all platforms. 

Compatibility testing is often associated with the following:

• Hardware and software compatibility test
• Browser compatibility test
• Network compatibility

7. Automation testing

The automation test in software development is part of quality assurance procedures through software tools and scripts. It is to ensure the sound transition of manual features of the software to an automated one.

Although not a particular kind of testing, this approach is used by quality assurance firms. To save time and resources, it writes automated scripts to carry out repetitive tests effectively, which adheres to the following advantages:

• Increased efficiency
• Improved accuracy 
• Faster feedback
• Higher test coverage

Benefits of having quality assurance as a service in business

Getting assistance from quality assurance firms can be beneficial for businesses of any size that want to improve their software, cut costs, and speed up their product release.

The following are some of the key benefits of using quality assurance services:

Access to expert testers with diverse skills

By having quality assurance as a service in your business, hiring and onboarding new employees can be eliminated as providers will dedicate skilled and knowledgeable testers.

Providers usually employ testers with diverse skill sets, which enables them to approach testing from different angles and find a wider range of technical issues. They can efficiently analyze and conduct security risk assessments for software.

Cost-efficient service delivery

The flexibility to bring in an outsourced team as needed for the project eliminates the need to keep a sizable testing staff all the time. 

Hiring quality assurance as a service will not require payment for the hours spent working as a team. Instead, the company will pay for the actual results of the service provided, which is more tailored and detailed.

Scalability of the testing service 

In quality assurance as a service, providers can easily adjust the testing effort to adhere to the specific requirements needed for the project. It is beneficial for clients to limit requests for services only applicable to the software.

The project inclusion is customized depending on the provider’s assessment. It usually comes by adding testers to help address more crucial stages and make the necessary adjustments when other risk factors are identified.

Higher quality and streamlined communication 

Quality assurance services intensify the testing processes because of the team’s vast experience in providing testing services across many sectors of a diverse clientele.

With this strategy, firms can resolve issues even faster and receive updates on testing progress by keeping lines of communication open with their trusted service providers.

Faster results with predictable outcomes

Quality assurance speeds up projects and meets deadlines by assigning project heads to oversee software testing delivery and execution.

Businesses are also able to design software with a sense of security and dependability. 

The knowledge and experience of outsourced teams significantly lower the possibility of risks, enabling firms to create software that is free from errors, dependable, and stable.

Elevating service delivery through quality assurance as a service

With the help of quality assurance as a service, businesses can effectively improve their software development process, ensuring that the function and its usability are updated.

It also attributes beneficial factors reflected in the company’s service delivery,  including enhanced, optimized development, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced usability.

Testing services play a vital role in guaranteeing the quality of the software and other DevOps solutions. It assists in effectively identifying weaknesses early on and keeps them from developing into more significant problems.

Proper testing is integral in the software development process. Having a service partner to monitor and oversee its performance and maintenance will significantly affect the overall operational flow of the business.