Benefits of and Tips for Implementing QA as a Service (QAaaS)

In 2015, Starbucks lost millions in sales because of a point of sale (POS) system glitch that affected their loyalty program, payments from within the Starbucks app, and payment processing. As a result of this glitch, a lot of Starbucks stores across the US and Canada gave away free items, while others shut down until the issue was resolved.

Another company that has faced serious consequences of software issues is Microsoft. In July 2024, Microsoft experienced an outage which affected 8.5 million Windows devices, disrupting governments, businesses, and daily life around the globe. Although the company did their best to quickly address the issue, the worldwide damage was estimated at no less than $10 billion.

Zoom has also dealt with software-related troubles. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when virtual meetings became the norm, Zoom experienced a surge in use. This exposed some vulnerabilities and shortcomings in their security measures. Key issues that emerged included privacy breaches, encryption concerns, unauthorized access, and zoombombing, which is a type of cyber harassment in which uninvited participants disrupt public meetings by sharing inappropriate content.

These aren’t the only examples of costly software errors, however. Other examples include:

• The flawed software design of the Boeing 737 MAX that took flight control away from pilots, leading to two crashes in 2018 and 2019.
• The disastrous launch of Healthcare.gov – a health insurance service operated by the US federal government – due to inadequate testing and rushed deployment. Most website users were unable to apply for health insurance right after the site went live, instead experiencing delays, errors, crashes, and slow performance.
• A WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook outage in 2019 due to a faulty server configuration change. Many users had trouble accessing these apps for over 14 hours.
• An Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) disruption in the Northern Virginia region in 2017, which was caused by human error during debugging.

These situations demonstrate why there’s high demand for efficient and effective quality assurance. In this blog post, we talk about the benefits of QA outsourcing, compare quality assurance as a service (QAaaS) and traditional QA, and provide tips for successfully implementing QAaaS in your project workflow.

Benefits of QAaaS

As businesses strive to keep pace with demanding market conditions and ever-evolving technology, QAaaS offers a strategic advantage. By embracing this model, you can:

• Reduce overhead costs. With on-demand testing services, you eliminate the need to maintain an in-house QA team, reducing overhead costs associated with infrastructure, training, and salaries. You only pay for the services you need, which is especially beneficial for small businesses and startups looking to effectively manage costs. By outsourcing quality assurance, you also benefit from a reduced management burden.
• Improve quality and test coverage. A lot of QAaaS providers use automated testing tools and frameworks, which increase test coverage and help ensure your application is reliable. Additionally, automated testing improves efficiency, as it can quickly execute repetitive tasks that would be time-consuming for manual QA specialists, leading to higher quality outcomes and greater test depth.
• Get access to expert QA resources. QAaaS providers often come equipped with vast experience and specialized knowledge in different testing technologies, tools, and methodologies. With the right partner, you can easily address your specific QA gaps.
• Focus on your core competencies. When you outsource software testing, you can concentrate on your core business activities. Your development team can focus on coding and developing features while the outsourced QA team handles testing-related activities, ensuring that quality is not compromised. This division of labor can help you enhance your overall efficiency and streamline operations.
• Achieve faster time to market. QAaaS speeds up the testing process, enabling businesses to deliver high-quality software products to market faster. By integrating QA services throughout your software development lifecycle, you can identify and resolve issues early on, reduce the risk of bottlenecks in later stages, enhance productivity, and dynamically respond to user feedback and changing market conditions.
• Benefit from a scalable and flexible approach. One of the key advantages of outsourced QA is its flexibility and scalability. As project requirements change, outsourced QA teams can quickly adjust their services to meet fluctuating demands, whether they need ongoing regression testing for a new product release or a sudden increase in user acceptance testing. This allows you to scale your QA efforts without the hassle of laying off or recruiting team members.
  
  

QAaaS vs Traditional QA

Traditional quality assurance methods have been the backbone of software testing for decades. Yet the rise of quality assurance as a service (QAaaS) provides an innovative approach that can potentially transform the QA landscape. To understand which model is right for you, let’s dive into characteristics of each and find their advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional QA

Traditional QA typically involves an in-house team responsible for testing software throughout its development lifecycle. This encompasses various testing methodologies, including manual testing, automated testing, and performance and security testing. Key characteristics include fixed processes (often following methodologies like Agile or Waterfall), on-site teams, and intensive use of resources (i.e., time, personnel, tools, and training).

Advantages of traditional testing

• Control over testing. With traditional QA, businesses have direct oversight of the testing process and can customize approaches that suit their specific needs.
• Team bonding. Working alongside other team members promotes better communication and understanding of project requirements.
• In-depth understanding of the business. In-house teams often possess unique insights about the business and its project(s). They can apply this knowledge to improve testing accuracy.

Disadvantages of traditional testing

• Costly. Maintaining a dedicated QA team can be expensive, especially for small and midsize businesses.
• Inefficient use of resources. Changing demand can lead to underutilization of QA resources or can overwhelm those resources during peak times.
• Scalability issues. As projects grow, scaling the QA effort can become challenging due to resource limitations.
  

Quality Assurance as a Service (QAaaS)

Now it’s time to talk about QAaaS, a cloud-based model for accessing QA services through a third-party vendor. QAaaS allows businesses to outsource their testing needs to specialized providers who offer scalable and flexible services. Key characteristics of QAaaS include on-demand services, cutting-edge cloud-based tools and technologies, and diverse expertise.

Advantages of QAaaS

• Cost efficiency. Businesses can reduce the overhead associated with maintaining an in-house team, only paying for the services they use.
• Access to a wide QA talent pool. Outsourcing testing allows businesses to leverage specialized skills and advanced tools they might not possess internally.
• Flexibility. Businesses can quickly scale their testing efforts to match their project demands without lengthy hiring processes.

Disadvantages of QAaaS

• Less control. Businesses may have less direct control and oversight over the testing process, which can lead to misalignment with business goals.
• Potential knowledge gaps. Outsourced teams may lack deep domain knowledge specific to your company’s projects/products, requiring additional onboarding and communication.

QAaaS or traditional QA: How to choose?

The choice between QAaaS and traditional QA depends on your specific needs, long-term goals, and resources. Smaller businesses or those with changing project demands may find QAaaS to be the most viable option due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and access to specialized expertise. On the other hand, larger businesses with complex products or those requiring extensive domain knowledge might benefit from traditional QA. In the long run, a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both models may also be an effective strategy, allowing businesses to maintain control over core areas while outsourcing tasks that benefit from specialized skills and flexibility.

Tips for implementing QAaaS in your workflow

Integrating QAaaS into your project workflow can be challenging. Here are some tips.

# 1 Outline clear objectives and requirements

Before integrating QAaaS, it’s important that you outline your objectives and requirements. Define what aspects of your project need quality assurance and whether you are looking for functional testing, usability testing, security testing, or performance testing. Understanding your goals will help you select the right provider and tailor the QA process to meet your needs.

Tip: Set up a planning session with your management and development team to clarify objectives. Document your requirements to avoid miscommunication.

#2 Choose the right QAaaS vendor

When selecting a QA outsourcing partner, evaluate each candidate’s technical expertise, market reputation, and industry experience. Look for providers with proven methodologies, a strong testing framework, and advanced tools that can seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows.

Tip: Request testimonials from past clients and look for case studies on a provider’s website to assess their capability to meet your specific needs.

#3 Foster communication and collaboration between teams

Integrating QAaaS isn’t just about handing over testing responsibilities. It requires collaboration between your internal team and the QA provider. Create open lines of communication between developers, project managers, and QA engineers to ensure everyone is aligned on expectations and goals.

Tip: Use collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate ongoing dialog. Additionally, regular meetings can help you proactively address issues and share updates.

#4 Automate wherever possible

QAaaS often offers automation capabilities that can enhance efficiency. While manual testing is essential, leveraging automation for repetitive tasks can free up resources, speed up testing cycles, and improve accuracy.

Tip: Select a QAaaS vendor that provides automated testing services. Then work with your partner to develop a test automation strategy.

#5 Embrace continuous feedback and improvement

Adopt a culture of continuous improvement. Regularly evaluate your QA processes and seek feedback from both your internal team and the QA vendor. Use this information to refine your testing strategy and make necessary adjustments.

Tip: Hold regular retrospective meetings to discuss what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve. Use metrics to track progress over time.

#6 Provide comprehensive documentation

Transparency fosters better communication and understanding. Make sure both your internal team and QA vendor have access to necessary documents including requirements specifications, test plans, and previous testing results.

Tip: Provide a centralized document management system to ensure all stakeholders have easy access to the current documentation.

#7 Establish metrics for success

To measure the effectiveness of QAaaS, establish KPIs tailored to your project goals. Regularly review those metrics to assess the quality of services and make adjustments as necessary.

Tip: Visualize metrics and provide easy access to valuable insights for stakeholders.

Looking for on-demand QA services?

Finding a reliable QAaaS provider can greatly improve your testing processes, enhance efficiency, and ultimately lead to better end-user experiences. By thoroughly assessing potential partners based on their expertise, technology offerings, client reviews, and communication practices, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific testing needs.

Remember: The right QAaaS partner should not only check boxes on a list of requirements but also act as a strategic partner committed to your success. Prioritize transparency, collaboration, and adaptability when selecting an outsourcing company. By investing time and resources into finding the right provider, you will pave the way for building robust and high-quality software that meets or exceeds market expectations.