There is no denying the fact that in software development, bugs can appear in any of the stages of the SDLC. In fact, there is a high possibility that even your final build that is ready to go live has errors of both types, i.e., design, and functionality. Furthermore, there have been numerous instances where the live demo failed miserably because no one thoroughly checked it before — oops! — now you are stressed out, and when that happens, it throws a huge blow in the entire process.
That is why; each organization needs to ensure that software testing should be an integral part of the software development life cycle (SDLC).
Here are the seven critical reasons, out of many reasons that make software testing important:
Saves big bucks– When it comes to software testing, many companies do not see the need for it, or do not budget it properly, and at times, neglect the importance of a quality or testing process.
It is always tougher to fix a mistake than to prevent it. Moreover, it is much more expensive. If a bug is discovered late in the game, then you are not just losing big bucks on the immediate cost of fixing the bug, but you are also losing money through lost prospective deals. If bugs are caught in the early stages, it costs much less to fix them and avoid any embarrassment later. Developing software without proper testing is a huge, risky bet. Onboarding testers who are technically sound and experienced is just like a smart investment that will reap us long-term benefits and it will far outweigh the cost of the service.
To identify and correct mistakes– Regardless of how skilled and experienced developers we have, we all make mistakes, especially while developing an application that is huge and complex. Admit that there is no such application as a bug-free application. When a code is developed, it is important to test everything that we produce because there is always a possibility of glitches in the system and the only thing that can expose hidden errors, ensure that the system works as expected according to requirements, measure how well your software works before it is installed in a live operation, etc. is software testing.
Boost Business– Making software testing an essential part of your software development life cycle lets you enhance the user experience and improves the final product outcome that ensures rock-solid brand presence, brand loyalty, and product recommendations. The well-tested product ensures that we send out the best version of our product into the market that speaks for itself, and word-of-mouth endorsement is priceless. This helps in retaining not only the existing clients but helps to onboard new clients as well.
This makes software product testing even more vital.
To ensure software security– One more headache that testing relieves is security. Software security is undoubtedly the most sensitive and yet most susceptible part. Cyber-attacks are quite common these days, and security is an important aspect that cannot be ignored at any cost. Notable instances have occurred where customers’ personal information has been stolen or hacked. Security testing of a product not only shields information from these hackers but also makes sure it is not lost or gets corrupted in any form. That is why we all look for trusted products that would bring confidentiality to share our personal information.
Application security testing allows to identify and fix many vulnerabilities that ensure a secure product that in turn makes customers feel safe while using the product. With software security testing, we can deliver a trustworthy product to our clients that protects their critical information from Day 1.
Validate the user experience– No matter the domain, the user experience is everything. The end purpose of developing any software should be to confer the best satisfaction to your users. Your application may function as required, but in the hands of the user, it could be baffling and inconvenient to know what feature is available where. Since software testing offers a prerequisite user experience, think of it as a trial run before you go live. There is nothing worse than an outraged user who paid for a product that does not work as expected. Fail to evaluate user experience, and your users will not fail to go to your competitor.
If users of your application have a great user experience, they will tell their family and friends. And with the burst of social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. positive as well as referrals can spread very quickly.
Control Process– How do we know that the application works the way it is supposed to? How can we measure what all requirements are ready to deploy to production and that the quality meets expectations? How do we know how many critical issues are still open? Software development should be measured whether it goes against the requirements or not. The testing phase can help you to know the state of your product’s quality that certifies all features are ready for production. The sooner development teams receive feedback, the quicker they can address issues of both types, i.e., design, and functionality.
Using this controlled process, we can build a formidable reputation and brand image, things that are important in the long term.
Easy Transitions– Software applications released should be of superior quality and compatible with various OS, devices, platforms, etc. which can be achieved only if we do thorough testing. Even if we are adding a simple feature to our current application, checking compatibility is a good practice to ensure a seamless experience on the go. Ensuring this lets you maintain users and gives them a better experience without any loss in any convenience. This process enables the business to make its products stand out in the market.
To Sum It Up:
The benefits are noticeably clear. Any company, big or small, should test its system because achieving high quality is necessary. As stated above, software testing is an inseparable part of the SDLC and is essential in delivering high-quality products.
