Delivering bug-free, flawless, and high-quality software is what every software development company strives for. There’s no doubt that continuous software development cycles are necessary to keep up with evolving requirements and market demands, but it’s also essential to follow top-notch standards through rigorous quality assurance services and practices. The tough question isn’t whether to prioritize quality assurance but to choose between in-house or outsourced quality assurance testing.
Understanding which approach to adopt to elevate your software’s reliability helps your software development company deliver higher quality quotient and customer satisfaction. It would help if you went through a detailed analysis of in-house and outsourcing quality assurance. There is a big divide in people’s opinions when executing the QA testing process at home or outside. Some companies favor outsourcing their testing process to get better outcomes, while others stick to the in-house solution to save money. Both approaches have their pros and cons.
Let’s move ahead and check out the ins and outs of outsourcing or the in-house QA process!
Outsourced vs. In-House QA Testing: A Comprehensive Analysis
According to Gartner, “88% of service leaders say their current quality assurance (QA) processes are ineffective and rarely match the customer’s quality view. With contact centers fundamentally shifting their focus from productivity to quality, organizations and reps are under increasing pressure to prioritize service quality, not productivity, despite budget constraints”.
This statement is enough to indicate the growing trend of quality assurance testing. Once you have decided to stick to the QA testing factor, it is time to determine how to do it. You can rely on your testing team or outsource the project to someone who can offer better testing solutions.
Inhouse QA Testing – Pros
- Save maximum time as your in-house team works as per your specific needs.
- No dependency on giving briefs of your requirements to an outside firm.
- Minimal risk of confidentiality breaches when employees are involved in the QA process.
- Lower chances of data or information loss as nothing will be changing hands.
- Easy communication between employees who perform QA testing with direct access and co-working space.
Inhouse QA Testing – Cons
- Higher operating cost is the most notable disadvantage of maintaining your in-house testing team.
- Hiring skilled people and managing the cost of process-specific training inflate your budget.
- In-house testing teams find it hard to handle multiple projects concurrently with a strict timeline.
- In-house teams are less likely to achieve economies of scale while executing many projects.
Outsourcing QA Testing – Pros
- Launch your product quickly because you can do other activities in parallel.
- Achieve better quality in your QA software testing with expert testers utilizing modern software testing methodologies.
- Get instant access to skilled, competent QA partners who can conveniently solve testing problems.
- Making it easier to view your product through the end users’ eyes
- Experience round-the-clock production hours by embracing digital communications and the best aspects of Agile testing.
Outsourcing QA Testing – Cons
- You have to speed up the maximum time to offer detailed instructions or a complicated document to the QA team.
- You need to train and guide the external resource about the to-be-testing apps repetitively.
- You may spend unexpected time and money if you fail to hire the best QA partner.
- The chances of disclosing your secret code and program to your competitors are higher when outsourcing the QA process.
Also Read: Software Testing Tools
How Do You Decide If You Should Outsourced QA Testing
Many apps and outsourced software development companies like to test their products from external testing experts to get unbiased reports. Here’s what you need to consider before outsourcing QA testing services:
- When you need to lower the costs related to hardware and software infrastructure, employee benefits, insurance, and other benefits.
- When you need temporary team members because your current in–house team is not the specialists.
- When you need the expertise to get things done fast and well without wasting your precious time.
- When you need to delegate and focus on your core business to maximize its real potential and efficiency.
- When you need quick results at short notice without killing your valuable time.
Outsourcing your quality assurance testing project to a QA testing expert can favor you when you look for opportunities to lower the budget, temporarily grow your IT team, use the skills of a true professional, focus on your core business, deliver things fast, and utilize human resources.
Read Further: Cost-Effective Software Testing Outsourcing
How Do You Decide If You Should Go For Inhouse QA Testing
Choosing an in-house QA team for testing services is beneficial in scenarios
- When the need for control over the product and close collaboration with developers is paramount.
- When the project needs specialized knowledge of the product or industry is required and well-acquainted with the company’s culture and product intricacies.
- When the goal is to build a long-term strategic capability within the company.
- When rapid response and flexibility are needed to address issues in real time, an in-house team’s proximity allows for immediate action and resolution.
Outsourced vs. In-House QA Testing: Which One is Better?
There’s no doubt quality assurance testing is vital to delivering a flawless and error-free product in the competitive market. Both approaches have their positives and negatives, therefore the decision to outsource software testing services or keep them in-house ultimately depends on the specific needs, expertise, and budget of the company. While outsourcing can offer cost savings and access to specialized expertise, in-house testing provides greater control and alignment with internal processes. So, choosing between inhouse or outsourced should be done with a lot of considerations.
Keep Reading: Software Testing Challenges
Summing Up
The choice between in-house vs outsourced QA testing isn’t an easy task since both approaches bring different benefits to the companies. Outsourcing can be cost-effective and provide specialized testing knowledge, but in-house testing can offer direct communication, collaboration, and a skilled team. Therefore, assess the advantages and disadvantages discussed in this blog and select the best option carefully.
We recommend you initially look towards the mixed approach as the most optimal in terms of organization and performance of testing tasks. Split quality assurance testing between in-house testers and outsourced workers or handled by an internal team with a combination of outsourcing for some parts of the work. Hopefully, this blog has helped make an informed decision that aligns with your project requirements, budget, and expertise level.
