What is Quality Assurance in IT?

Have you ever gotten stuck in the process of signing into an electric scooter rental app because of some strange error message or got frustrated with extremely weak UX of a tax form? Or maybe you realized you have trouble making a purchase on a device that was supposed to support the online store. That’s when you experience bad quality assurance in IT. And when do you meet proper one? E.g. this perfectionist company’s website you’re reading this blog on, where every detail is precisely aligned and optimized for all mainstream devices.

Bugged commercial software products may cause losing some traffic or a decrease in client engagement but mistakes in the code of serious industrial or military apps have much more serious consequences. Software failures have wreaked havoc at banks, airlines and done billions of dollars of damage and devastating disruption. 

In order to prevent such events and ensure a constant level of quality, Quality Assurance is introduced to software development processes. At Startup Development House Quality Assurance processes are implemented into the workflow and the QA Team guards defined standards with the use of manual and automated testing methods.

What is Quality Assurance in software development?

Quality assurance (QA) covers all project-related tasks. Starting from cooperation with the client, through defining the roles and responsibilities (choosing the project methodology, communication, timelines, tools), ending with defining requirements and the product’s life cycles. QA incorporates all members of the team, giving them opportunities to shape and define the definition of quality (which does not necessarily need to be perfect). It all depends on the context of the project, it’s business value. So we may say that the QA process aims at preventing mistakes in the whole software development process.

Quality Control, on the other hand, has a disruptive character - we’re looking for mistakes in previously carefully designed products with the use of different levels and types of testing.

But the first question would be what quality are you expecting? The first answer would be: the best! And that would be no surprise. But is it the best of all possible answers? When you buy a cake, does it have to be the sweetest? And a car the fastest? Not necessarily. For example, the quality can be lower when the product is really innovative and we’re not sure of its success. But when we are refactoring an existing product or replacing a legacy system with a new one, then we should aim at the highest-quality code possible.

Quality assurance in information technology is a comprehensive approach that encompasses the entire development process. This includes various critical processes such as ensuring standards compliance, conducting thorough requirement, design, and code reviews, performing software inspections, rigorous testing, and managing key processes like configuration management and continuous process improvement.

At its core, Quality Assurance in Information Technology revolves around the meticulous verification and validation of products at different stages of the product lifecycle. This multifaceted approach is designed to guarantee that the end product meets predefined standards and fulfills the specified requirements.

A focal point within quality assurance is product testing, which demands strategic planning and execution by skilled and experienced personnel. Testing activities are crucial components of quality assurance, as they help identify and rectify defects, ensuring the final product's reliability, functionality, and performance. These tests are conducted at various stages, from initial development to the final release, to catch and address issues early in the process.

Moreover, quality assurance extends beyond mere testing; it involves a systematic adherence to standards, guidelines, and best practices throughout the development life cycle. This includes meticulous reviews of requirements, design, and code by cross-functional teams to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with project specifications.

Additionally, quality assurance incorporates management processes like configuration management, which helps maintain the integrity and consistency of the evolving software system. It also embraces a commitment to continuous process improvement, where methodologies are refined, and lessons learned are applied to enhance overall efficiency and product quality.

In essence, quality assurance in information technology is a comprehensive framework that permeates every facet of the development journey. By upholding rigorous standards, conducting thorough reviews, and implementing robust testing procedures, it serves as a critical safeguard against errors, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and compliant IT products.

Let’s try to look at the QA approach of software development

It all starts with 

Gathering requirements. 

This includes three roles: a business analyst (somebody who knows the business contexts the best), a coder and a QA Tester. The results of the cooperation of these 3 Amigos (as they are nicknamed by Matt Wynne) are “user stories”. They define precisely what should be delivered in the form of descriptions and acceptance criteria. QA Tester input on this stage is asking the right question such as “Why the client needs this functionality” or “Are there any mockups”.

Then we proceed to 

Implementation of the requirements (development phase).

This stage gives many opportunities to improve software quality, starting from choosing proper software development practices (AGILE/SCRUM or other) and other QA-related practices: unit tests*, code review* and integration testing*.

The last stage is dominated by QA activities and testers

Test Stage.

This is a set of activities in the area of software validation/verification versus the defined requirements as well as from the field of non-functional testing: efficiency, security. There are three types of testing methods: manual testing, automatic testing, and an in-between class. The most popular recently, manual testing is where a tester has to walk over all test cases in a testing scenario, collect data and prepare a final report. It is hard and time-consuming work. In automatic testing, on the other hand, everything is done with tools and scripts. The data is collected automatically, as are the final reports. There is also a half-way scenario where the tests are performed automatically, but the whole testing environment is set manually (semi-automatic testing).

Software quality in IT — business benefits

As you already know basic QA principles and testing types, it’s time to ask a question:

why does quality assurance pay off?

First of all, if the QA process is done right—that is, from the very beginning of the software development lifecycle—it can help you save a lot of money on correcting bugs that were detected in software already in use. As a rule, the later in the process a bug is detected, the more it will cost to fix this bug.

Second of all, a properly designed QA process allows for proper quality management of a product. It will help you verify if a newly developed feature or release is compatible with already operational versions. Nobody wants to see the software stop working after an upgrade has been released. It goes without saying that such a faulty upgrade can crush a company’s reputation. And it has happened many times in the past like e.g. British Airways IT glitch in August 2019 when system failure caused more than 100 flights to be canceled and more than 200 others to be delayed. 

There is no question that project quality is crucial in ensuring successful product launch or upgrade; a quality management plan, on the other hand, identifies quality requirements and provides all project stakeholders with precise guidelines for delivering a great quality product just like the one you’re now reading (again, no boasting).

If you found our article interesting, please share with us your experience with Quality Assurance in software development!

To incorporate the exact phrase "quality assurance in information technology" a few times in the FAQ section of the article "What is Quality Assurance in IT?", here are some suggestions:

FAQs on Quality Assurance in Information Technology

1. What role does quality assurance in information technology play in software development? 

Quality assurance in information technology is vital in software development as it ensures the reliability and functionality of the software. It involves a range of practices and procedures aimed at checking and improving the quality of the software throughout its development lifecycle.

2. How is quality assurance in information technology integrated into the development process? 

Integrating quality assurance in information technology into the development process involves systematic practices such as regular code reviews, continuous integration testing, and close collaboration between developers and QA professionals. This ensures that quality checks are inherent throughout development, rather than being an afterthought.

3. Can you provide examples of how quality assurance in information technology impacts project success? 

In quality assurance in information technology, successful projects often feature rigorous testing protocols, clear documentation of standards and procedures, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential issues. This leads to more stable, user-friendly, and secure software products.

4. What are the latest trends in quality assurance in information technology?

Recent trends in quality assurance in information technology include the adoption of automated testing tools, increased focus on security and vulnerability testing, and the use of AI and machine learning to predict and identify potential quality issues more efficiently.

5. How does quality assurance in information technology differ in Agile environments? 

In Agile environments, quality assurance in information technology is more iterative and flexible. It involves continuous testing and feedback throughout the development cycle, allowing for rapid adjustments and improvements in response to changing requirements or identified issues.

6. What is the significance of quality assurance in information technology in the context of software development?

Quality assurance in information technology is crucial in software development to ensure the reliability, functionality, and overall quality of the software product. It involves systematic practices aimed at checking and improving quality throughout the development lifecycle.

7. How is quality assurance in information technology integrated into the software development process for optimal results?

Integrating quality assurance in information technology into the software development process involves practices such as regular code reviews, continuous integration testing, and collaborative efforts between developers and QA professionals. This ensures that quality checks are inherent throughout the development stages.

8. Can you provide examples of how quality assurance in information technology contributes to project success?

Quality assurance in information technology contributes to project success through rigorous testing protocols, clear documentation of standards and procedures, and proactive identification and resolution of potential issues. This leads to the development of more stable, user-friendly, and secure software products.

9. What are the latest trends in quality assurance in information technology that are shaping the industry?

Recent trends in quality assurance in information technology include the adoption of automated testing tools, an increased focus on security and vulnerability testing, and the integration of AI and machine learning to predict and identify potential quality issues more efficiently.

10. How does quality assurance in information technology differ in Agile environments compared to traditional development approaches?

In Agile environments, quality assurance in information technology takes on a more iterative and flexible nature. It involves continuous testing and feedback throughout the development cycle, allowing for rapid adjustments and improvements in response to changing requirements or identified issues.

11. What specific practices fall under the umbrella of quality assurance in information technology during the software development lifecycle?

Quality assurance in information technology encompasses practices such as standards compliance, requirement, design, and code reviews, software inspections, testing at various stages, and management processes like configuration management and continuous process improvement.

12. How can quality assurance in information technology prevent costly bug fixes in software development?

A well-implemented quality assurance process, starting from the early stages of development, helps prevent costly bug fixes by detecting and addressing issues before they escalate. Early detection reduces the overall cost of fixing bugs later in the software development process.

13. What role does quality control play in the broader framework of quality assurance in information technology?

Quality control has a disruptive character within quality assurance in information technology, focusing on identifying mistakes in previously designed products through various levels and types of testing. It complements the preventive nature of quality assurance.

14. Why is the early involvement of quality assurance in information technology crucial in the software development process?

Early involvement of quality assurance in information technology is crucial as it allows for proactive identification and prevention of potential issues, ensuring that the software meets predefined standards and requirements throughout its development lifecycle.

15. How does quality assurance in information technology contribute to the overall business benefits of a software product?

Quality assurance in information technology contributes to business benefits by saving costs on bug fixes, ensuring proper quality management of the product, and safeguarding the company's reputation. A well-defined QA process leads to the delivery of high-quality and reliable software products.