An imperfect software application can have a huge effect on revenue generation, reliability and reputation in the long run. So, before delivering software to a customer, every company must ensure that it works flawlessly, that the product meets all specifications or requirements. There are many cases where minor flaws in the software lead to monetary problems and more. Therefore, testing is already becoming an integral and meaningful part of the software development life cycle (SDLC).

Agile principles of software creation do not treat development and testing as two separate processes. Agile methodology emphasizes programmers and testers working as a team to improve software quality. The testing process, as an integral part, aims to assess the completeness, correctness and quality of the software before it is delivered. At the same time, test results help businesses verify that the software meets all predefined criteria and conditions.

Why has testing become important to modern businesses?

A number of studies have shown that the cost of fixing software bugs increases if they are not identified and fixed early on. When defects are identified early, it is easier for programmers to fix them. That’s why most companies introduce testing early in the SDLC process. They then bring in independent specialists to implement software testing at various stages of development.

IT companies develop critical user and production software solutions. A minor error in an application can result in both financial and human losses. For example, a small flaw in the software used to build an airplane can lead to irreparable trouble. The IT company must perform a series of tests to identify and correct any defects, bugs or flaws in the application before delivery to the customer. Or outsource this task to a highly qualified firm.

Every modern user has the ability to choose from thousands of identical applications. To keep their customers interested, every company must deliver high quality software. When it is fully and repeatedly tested, its quality can be evaluated most effectively. Based on the test results, a company can launch a high quality product that will remain on the market in the long run.

Software testing then becomes important to the business because of the differences between the development and production environments. When developing a product, programmers focus mainly on features and functionality. But features and functionality will have different impacts on individual users. When an application is evaluated in a test environment, professionals can more easily and accurately evaluate the user experience.

Customers often require developers to include new features at various stages of development. Every time a new feature is introduced, the code must be thoroughly analyzed. Specialists, performing automated software testing, verify the flawlessness of basic functionality and operation with the innovations in mind. Tests help businesses assess the quality of an updated product before releasing it to the market.