Outside The QA Box Testing

Most organizations, especially startups, have limited resources when it comes to testing their web applications. While test-driven development methodologies and automation have assisted in improving the quality of software, experienced QA engineers are critical for uncovering hidden detrimental bugs. Let’s face it though, budgets are tight and if the choice is between hiring another developer vs. a QA engineer, 8 out of 10 times the business is probably going to choose a developer.

To ensure the highest quality, companies have to often look for testing resources outside of the standard QA world. One client I worked with rallied customer support representatives to help manually test new releases of their application (in coordination with QA). Automation was on hold due to the product’s relatively lower maturity level and lack of engineering resources. Because of their unique experience with both the business and the web application, they were able to provide excellent insight while testing features fresh out of development. We were lucky to have bright individuals on our CS team, who quickly grasped the direction management was taking with each new iteration.

If you need to leverage other resources to assist with testing, here are some helpful tips to drive success:

• Provide Adequate Tools. Most of the time, the individuals you select outside of your technical team to assist with testing will have very limited experience in QA methodologies. They are going to need thorough regression plans, test cases, and a solid new defect template to follow. Spending a little more time upfront will save a lot of headaches in the long run.
• Spice Up Testing. To prevent boredom, try encouraging your testers to be imaginative in creating their test accounts. Using fictional characters from television and film can allow them to become more engaged and promote out-of-the-box thinking. For example, a site that allows families to sign up for health insurance can probably be tested thoroughly if Homer Simpson signs up his family. While Homer would pay dearly for his binge drinking habits, Lisa would truly benefit the most with her vegan status.
• Provide Incentives. Gift cards, lunches, and maybe even paid days off are all great for giving incentive to find the most critical bugs.
• Open Other Opportunities. Testing is the ultimate way to learn the ins and outs of an application. As an additional incentive for the testers who shine, but don’t want to continue on in the QA world, open up opportunities for them to assist in other areas of the company. Their newly acquired knowledge could benefit knowledge base growth, customer support training, account administration, implementation assistance, and much more.