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The Importance and How of Proof of Concept

by admin | Sep 6, 2019 | QA Outsourcing, Fixed, Blog | 0 comments

As a business practice, software testing services must follow procedures defined by standard operating procedure (SOPs). These sets of actions are critical because they allow software testers to deliver consistent quality output with increased productivity. In this context, proof of concept emerges as an important step that guarantees certain assurances to customers and clients. A Proof of Concept (PoC) demonstration is the process through which a software testing company tests the veracity and achievability of a proposed task or process. This demonstration convinces a potential client that the company in question can deliver actionable results within stipulated timelines.

Documenting a Shift

A Proof of Concept document may emerge when an organization undertakes to shift to automation testing practices. This shift from manual testing systems and practices may be undertaken in response to client requirements, shifts in software testing systems and practices, and growing demand for automation in software testing. In such a situation, a Proof of Concept document may outline a complete feasibility analysis report that justifies this shift. The document may outline the top three or top five tools required for automated software testing.

Planning for a Proof of Concept Document

Organizations that wish to elevate their software testing systems and practices must invest organizational resources in the creation of a Proof of Concept document. The planners may elect to design a time frame that ranges from a few hours to a few weeks, a certain quantum of company information, working space inside the offices of the organization, technical resources, trained manpower, etc. These elements, when expertly marshalled, can empower the creation of a Proof of Concept document for software testing service providers.

Best Practices

Serious preparations are necessary when software testing organizations (or the concerned division inside an organization) set about the task of defining a Proof of Concept document. Planning certainly plays a critical role, but stellar execution is necessary to create an outstanding document. In line with this, organizational actors can consult with experts, read various case studies, and seek insights from the experience of other players in the software testing domain. These preparations and the attendant best practices may generate a competent Proof of Concept document.

Dealing with Uncertainty

Current, or ongoing, projects may not be suitable for a Proof of Concept demonstration. In line with this, software testing personnel must realize that certain testing tasks do not lend themselves well to the demands of such demonstration. Hence, business operators and software testing companies must work to modulate the expectations of clients when the latter demand a Proof of Concept for ongoing projects. However, testing operators may undertake to demonstrate certain aspects of such exercises to satisfy a client’s demand. Said operators can also undertake to provide deeper assurances about demonstrating Proof of Concept for fresh projects that hinge on software testing activities.

Ideal Candidates for Proof of Concept

Certain parameters define the suitability of projects that can be showcased in a Proof of Concept document. For instance, long-term projects are ideally suited for software testing automation; this factor defines duration as a short-term or a long-term exhibit inside a PoC document. In addition, the use of regression in software testing represents another factor that demonstrates key aspects of a Proof of Concept document. The stability of an application casts an outsize impact on its selection for a PoC document. In light of the above, software testing businesses should decide on the choice of projects that will demonstrate Proof of Concept.

Technical Parameters

The shift to automation in software testing must be underlaid by favorable technical parameters to ensure the success of a Proof of Concept document. In line with this, QA teams must assess and evaluate: the platform and OS testing matrix, data-driven capability of the tool, reporting capability and report portability, debugging and logging issues, support for version control, etc. Once these parameters are validated for a certain project, software testing teams can proceed with outlining and developing a Proof of Concept document.

Results of Proof of Concept

Once completed, the Proof of Concept document must demonstrate a litany of positive factors. These include the costs of implementation, support costs, the scope for consultation in a project, the use of open source tools, learning curve, the use of various learning resources, etc. An analysis of these factors allows testers to assess whether the Proof of Concept satisfies client requirements and the particulars of a certain project.

In Conclusion:

While Proof of Concept is helpful, it may not always be possible for all projects – especially when the tasks need to be performed/demonstrated. However, where possible, Proof of Concept can be highly beneficial to the client and the company offering it. It provides an in-depth understanding of the project including the benefits and costs. Connect with our experts to know how you can benefit and take your projects to the next level of success.

4 Fundamental Principles of QA outsourcing

by admin | Aug 5, 2019 | QA Outsourcing, Fixed, Blog | 0 comments

As a business practice, the phenomenon of outsourcing emerged roughly two decades ago on the global stage. This model of conducting business allows commercial operators to lower expenditure on fixed costs and control various items of variable costs; these actions can drive significant savings that add to the bottom line of a sponsor business.

While most outsourced tasks are time-consuming, the choice to invest in outsourcing allows enterprises to refine and improve business focus. The QA Outsourcing initiative concerns the outsourcing of software testing duties and responsibilities. We examine the principles that underlie the decision to outsource software testing.

Deep Knowledge

QA Outsourcing teams must have access to deep pools of technical knowhow and knowledge. This should emerge as a deciding factor that governs business decisions such as selecting testing vendors for QA Outsourcing projects. This implies testers working on a QA Outsourcing project must be fluent in ERP and CRM systems, document management systems, the specifics of operating an intranet, supplier portals, customer portals, and data warehousing techniques and technologies. In addition, software testing professionals must have experience in terms of testing the building blocks of multiple types of software applications and platforms. Therefore, sponsor businesses must remain fully aware of the capabilities of QA Outsourcing vendors prior to signing a contract with a vendor.

International Standards

Further to the above, QA Outsourcing vendors must have high levels of engagement with international standards and regulations that govern different industries. In line with this, testing professionals must be familiar with specific standards and regulations (such as FATCA, AML, PCI DSS, and Basel III) when testing software applications for the financial services and banking industries. Significant levels of knowledge and expertise should ensure testing professionals are able to navigate the complicated software applications while bearing in mind the required standards and regulations.

Multi-Vendor Strategy or a Single Vendor with All Round Abilities

The decision to pursue QA Outsourcing for software testing services must be informed by an active choice in the number of vendors. Experts in the software testing domain admit a single vendor system can create complications during the lifetime of an outsourcing contract. The credentials presented by a single vendor may appear tailored to suit the contours of a QA Outsourcing work contract; however, such credentials may prove inadequate when the sponsor business allots testing assignments based on novel (or emerging) software technologies. This scenario encourages sponsor businesses to consider the services of multiple QA Outsourcing vendors, each offering services suited to specific software technologies. This approach to QA Outsourcing could prove beneficial in the long term when we consider the business interests of the sponsor organization. That said organizations must consider the complexities and complications that may arise from a multi-vendor strategy. Team management skills assume importance, as does the ability to track the services rendered by multiple QA Outsourcing vendors. It would make more business sense to take on the services of a vendor with all inclusive testing abilities, backed by an expert team with in-depth knowledge of all industries.

Vendor Management

A successful QA Outsourcing strategy hinges on the expert management of the services offered by a vendor (or multiple vendors). Business managers working on behalf of the sponsor organization must assess the efficacy of vendor performance at regular intervals. Such actions must include devising strategies to improve vendor performance, anticipating process disruptions in QA Outsourcing processes, drive higher levels of co-operation from a vendor’s management team, penalize inefficient vendors, institute best practices in the work processes of individual vendors, and more. These actions, when summed under the title of vendor management, allow higher levels of achievement in the QA Outsourcing paradigm.

In Conclusion

The ideas presented can act as lodestones that guide modern organizations in the domain of QA Outsourcing activities, and the top brass and leaders of such organizations must effect timely course corrections in such collaborations. Intelligent business operators must deal with challenges that emerge in such collaborations on a real-time basis in order to gain the maximum mileage from such business decisions. In addition, sponsor organizations must share best practices with outsourced software testing organizations, while closely monitoring the progress registered by the vendor(s). The net outcomes of such actions can spell success for the collaboration and could lead to more wide-ranging business collaborations in the future. Leave all your QA and testing worries to a renowned and expert team – connect with us.