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5 Software Testing Tips for Startups
The success of startup companies during their initial years is still hazy. There are a lot of elements that affect whether the company will stay for the long run or not, such as budget and return of investment.
And for software startups, the testing part of the software development life cycle means cashing out a considerable sum of money. Aside from money, it also requires investment in manpower, resources, and time. It is often a question of whether the investment is worth it or not.
But for smart owners, there are always roundabouts and methods on how to use quality testing methods without breaking the bank. Here are some of the tips that you’ll stand by until your business grows.
Software Testing Tips for Startups
1. Planning Ahead
This is the most basic yet necessary tip for all types of businesses. It is especially helpful for startups, in particular, because one mistake in the decision-making process can break the entire organization.
In planning ahead, present all the current information about your product and the possible ways to test it. Aside from the methods of testing it, do not forget to include the possible tools and additional resources that will aid the entire process.
Creating a minimum viable product (MVP) is also another way to go. An MVP is the most basic form of the product. With this, the team can learn its most basic foundations, how it is made and how to fix it. Choosing to create this is also efficient, not much time, effort, money, and other resources are used.
Planning ahead allows the team to establish a solid framework regarding its next steps. The framework can also double as a guide and reminder when the team gets stuck during decision-making.
2. Emphasize the Importance of Clarity
Reporting is an integral part of software testing. The details about the bug, what it does, and what needs to be done to counter it must be clear and concise. Figuring out the bug already takes up a significant portion of time, clear communication from one developer to another can counter it.
Writing and compiling a comprehensive bug report can, indeed, take more time, but handling and processing it becomes easier. On the other hand, dismal reports require several follow-up questions and clarifications before the developer can start working on them. At the end of the day, haphazardly-written reports are more time-consuming than comprehensive ones.
Clear communication, in general, is encouraged. Every team member is encouraged to communicate clearly with one another to avoid unnecessary conflicts that can affect the operations of the company.
3. Invest in Appropriate Resources
A startup company has a lot to learn. When likened to a race, it is still at the starting line. To move up on the ranks, it is imperative to invest in various available resources. In deciding which resources to invest in, the team must evaluate the benefits that they can get from it.
One benefit to consider is the longevity of its utility. Software companies are encouraged to invest in specific automation testing guides that will help complete the processing framework of the company. It is also important to look into different software testing tools that can eliminate the frequency of repetitive tasks from the developers.
Resources, such as applications or external software, that aid team collaboration for software development are also worth investing in. Most importantly, invest in resources that will help your company invest in top-quality tools. Think of this tip as a call to do thorough research before investing in anything.
4. Develop a Culture
The development of organizational culture is essential in a start-up company. Similar to following its mission and vision, company culture shapes and dictates how the company does things. It is a holistic take on establishing a framework.
In a micro view, the company should also develop a certain culture when it comes to testing. This culture should be scalable; it must be dynamic as the company grows. In the beginning, the culture must accommodate the company size and its current resources. Testing culture, in particular, must be mindful of its demand for time and resources.
It is rare for startup companies to have specific developers tasked for testing only. The culture of the company must be mindful of this practice. As a roundabout, all developers must have basic knowledge, whether on the web, desktop, or mobile apps, and are willing to continue to learn about this process.
Aside from bringing in people who are sure to work well with the culture, it is also important to develop boundaries and expectations as a part of the testing culture. Set realistic boundaries of what your team and current tools can do. With these boundaries, realistic expectations are likely to stem from it.
5. Consider Outsourcing
If budget is a significant issue for the management, outsourcing testing, and QA services is always an available option. This move is a smart move in managing limited resources. The benefits from outsourcing and not outsourcing remain the same.
With outsourcing, you also skip the starting from scratch step. It saves cost for training and it saves a significant period of time. When you choose to outsource, you choose to partner with providers that are already experts in the field. It saves time and quality is assured.
Outsourcing also provides other opportunities such as faster growth for the company. The monetary funds that are allocated for in-house testing and QA are divided into chunks. The spare that will not be used for the outsourcing will be channeled to the other needs of the company.
Final Words
Startup companies face countless struggles before success feels palpable and reachable. Funding and resources are limited, but it does not mean that production will be compromised. For software companies, the testing process is indeed essential but it is costly. The process is demanding of both time and resources.
Luckily, there are some industry tips and tricks regarding software testing tips for startups. Starting with the most basic recommendation like careful planning to more complex suggestions such as outsourcing, software testing in startups proves that it is more than a process. It is part of the organization’s foundation.
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Priti
08/04/2021 at 3:01 PM
Hello,
Really nice article.
Thanks for sharing this. I would love to share this information with my friends. Keep doing good work.