Software Testing Strategies for Any QA Manager

Like any sector or industry, not all companies have the same business goals, objectives, or strategies. That is especially true of a company’s software quality assurance and software testing programs. While some global tech companies have enormous enterprise software strategy needs, others may only be looking for a yearly strategy to address immediate needs without the long-term financial forecast.

No matter what the company size or trajectory, it is often the QA manager’s job to facilitate a plan that best suits those needs.

Let’s start by breaking down the priorities based on the role you might take on for your company. We’ll also discuss what an expert QA testing partner should bring in the execution of that plan.

Are you a QA Manager or Test Manager?

QA Test Managers recognize that their current QA process is inconsistent, disorganized, broken, or may not exist at all. QA Managers are highly focused on ensuring the product goes out with as few bugs as possible, and they care about getting bug fixes out ASAP. They are less concerned with the minutiae of defect reports and more concerned about the need for a formal, organized process based on best practices. Most importantly, they are accountable for finding the best solution.

Top-Level Software Testing Strategy Needs:
An expert QA team can implement software testing platforms and manage the QA process through platforms like Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail, or others. A core focus for smaller companies would include developing, streamlining, and organizing the QA processes. Your QA testing strategy should include a plan to create epics, add tags, and otherwise collaborate to maximize the platform’s capabilities to reach tangible goals.

Larger companies often have an established process and don’t want to deviate from what is already stable and constant. What those companies need is a QA partner’s ability to plug in directly with their process to avoid any disruption while helping with QA testing.

A comprehensive software testing strategy should include diligent organization and tagging practices to enable QA Managers to view top-level QA statistics such as how many defects apply to a specific product area, how many defects are fixed, or how many defects still need to be fixed. These practices also allow for easy metrics methods via Jira or similar tools.

Smaller companies and startups do not always have good test cases or test suites simply because they don’t know what a good one looks like. A good strategy will address test case needs for development as well as regular maintenance.

Summary:

• Integrate directly into the process to avoid any disruption in development or release
• Organization and tagging practices for robust metrics and reporting
• Test Suites development and management

Are You a Software Engineering VP or QA Director?

Leaders in this role are more responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, knocking down obstacles, and sourcing good solutions while handing off the execution to managers. They typically oversee software development and quality assurance. Their primary objective is delivering a great product that advances the goals of the business which satisfies customer needs, gets the most out of their team, and achieves the results they need most efficiently.

Top-Level Software Testing Strategy Needs:
The software testing approach, in this case, would be to help implement new practices and guide the process as new tasks arise, new requirements are established, and new technologies are developed. A team and software testing strategy at this level will identify efficiencies as the industry shifts and evolves.

Summary:

• Monitor and manage best practices and tools
• Consistent and timely reporting
• Organize and augment an existing team

Are You a QA Project Manager?

Project Managers are more focused on coordination and facilitation. They are responsible for managing deadlines, deliverables, and collaboration between multiple teams. The Project Manager’s goal is to facilitate a smooth collaboration between all groups, aligning the resources they need and ensuring everybody is fulfilling their responsibilities to the timeline and the execution. Their biggest challenge is risk management and the potential for things to go off-course. This means accounting for delays, budget issues, or dealing with unexpected events during the project. They are faced with many challenges and are critical in providing flexibility and responsiveness to a successful process.

Top-Level Software Testing Strategy Needs:
A software testing strategy in this context will need to be reliable and efficient. A software testing partner will need to be organized and timely from the bidding process throughout the execution. Project managers will rely on a team that is flexible and as invested in the project as they are. While the software testing strategy may vary, project managers often place as much importance on clear communications and honest collaboration for seamless project execution and launch.

Summary:

• Reliable and efficient
• Flexibility and fit
• Communications and Collaboration

Are You a Software Developer?

Developers are focused and detail-oriented, and they are responsible for delivering good code for a smooth launch. They will need constant feedback from QA and QA testing to do their jobs effectively. The details of the work are what matter most to them, and they will need to depend on a software testing team that is transparent, responsive, and thorough. Seamless collaboration between the developer and the QA team will help to build a more robust product that the customer and the user can rely on.

Top-Level Software Testing Strategy Needs:
Besides integrated collaboration with the QA team, a defect write-up is one of the main artifacts for developers and is critical in a seamless process. Writeups should be well-worded, easy to read, and complete.

An effective write up should include:

• One-line summary to identify and define the defect
• Defect priority
• Detailed description: everything you need to know about the defect and nothing you don’t, the actual result, expected result, steps to reproduce, browser/OS/device it occurs on, visual aids (screenshots or videos), and more
• Concise language

Developers will also appreciate a thorough review of the product from a technical and end-user perspective. Developers have created the product and may miss certain details and will depend on the QA team to approach the work with technical knowledge along with the end user’s perspective.

Teamwork is key. Because of the detailed nature of the work, developers often need a second set of eyes for review and immediate feedback in that process.

Summary:

• Clear and effective defect writeups
• Understand the product from a technical and end-user perspective
• Quick reviews, critiques, and feedback

Shared Priorities for all Decision-Makers

No matter what role you play in software development, there is one critical common denominator: react fast to client needs and market opportunities. Those are the same priorities for Quality Assurance. Experience, commitment, and proven best practices are essential for delivering meaningful results, and that is what QualityLogic promises. We offer comprehensive services that will meet your needs no matter what your software testing strategy requires.

• Comprehensive Suite of Services: that includes support in every aspect of the software. For example, the need for both manual and automated testing, digital accessibility, and WCAG compliance as well as the flexibility to grow, and learn as the technology changes.
• Integration and Collaboration: These software testing partnerships will require the software testing team to integrate into the workflow process and culture as if they were an employee for the company. This engagement will enable trust and understanding needed daily while enabling efficiencies that save time and budget suited to any strategy.
• Flexible Service Model: Flexibility helps you deliver better quality software from the start — start a tailored approach that provides support for agile and lean development environments.
• Maximum ROI: An onshore team will be more efficient than an offshore alternative in most cases, while an outsourced partner will eliminate HR and recruitment costs and responsibilities as well.

Software testing is the structure that bears the load. It is the thread that runs through the process, and it can make or break your product’s success. However, it does not have to be complicated if you know what you need and can find a partner to deliver. So, whether you are a project manager, a developer, or an engineering leader, QualityLogic can help to guide you in building a strategy that fits you like a glove.

Do you have questions about your software testing strategies? With a quick, informal call, we can help you assess your QA options for the straightest line to success.