The What, Why, and How Of Software Testing

The What, Why, and How of Software Testing

In the tech sector, business leaders have repeatedly promoted the idea that every company, regardless of the industry in which it operates, is essentially a software company. Now that software drives just about every aspect of business operations and has such a clear influence on consumer behaviour, that long-held idea has become a universally applicable maxim.

Technology has become so ingrained in the everyday lives of consumers all over the globe that even the slightest of software issues are almost entirely unacceptable. With expectations continually on the rise among consumers, business leaders that are not properly committed to ensuring software quality will face incredible challenges that could ultimately put their company’s long-term viability at serious risk.

With that being said, it’s only natural to seek answers to each of the following questions:

• What exactly is software testing?
• Why is software testing so important?
• How does software testing influence business performance?

In the following sections, we’ll address each of these questions on an individual basis while underscoring the role software testing plays in both the short and long-term viability and performance of any company, regardless of the industry in which it operates.

What Is Software Testing?

Software testing is a critical component of the process that goes into developing new software or updating existing software. During the testing phase of software development, the software program or application is executed with the goal of identifying any bugs that might inhibit performance. Since software is typically developed according to a specific set of technical requirements, the testing phase also serves as an opportunity to verify and validate that the software in question does indeed meet the specifications outlined or agreed-upon tech requirements.

Why Is Software Testing Important?

Even the most precise of software developers make errors that must be corrected before a software program or application can be released to consumers. Obviously, the purpose of software testing is to ensure these errors are identified and corrected, especially since there is so little tolerance for software that does not run as smoothly as it should.

How Does Software Testing Influence Business Performance?

With a highly effective testing process in place, companies ensure that the software they release will consistently meet or exceed the expectations of consumers, which is essential for building a sense of trust between the company and the consumer. A thorough testing process, therefore, plays a central role in brand building and helps in the establishment of a loyal base of customers.

Testing processes not only represent a critical component of quality assurance but also help limit or eliminate unnecessary expenditures by catching potential issues when they are still easily corrected. Testing also reduces the need for extensive updates or software maintenance, which further illustrates the manner in which effective software testing processes reduce expenditures and positively influence business performance.

Reed Gusmus is the director of marketing at QASymphony, where he is responsible for utilizing his exceptional B2B digital marketing expertise to develop marketing plans capable of generating new customer acquisition while also stimulating ample revenue generation.