You can’t avoid testing when it comes to creating, implementing, or upgrading software products. Massive investment has been flowing into test automation for over a decade, and it is expected to continue deep into the next years. Thousands of testing service providers offer their staff, skills, and tools to help businesses save time and resources for solving priority tasks.
What things should you keep in mind if you decide to delegate testing your product on an outsourcing basis and hire a test automation company? Here are key decision points you must consider before signing a contract and entrusting the testing to relevant service providers.
Consider the Subject and Purpose of Testing
Automated testing provides the best return on investment when you have a plan and clearly understand what you are putting on the line. Make sure you’ve planned all of the aspects that you’d like to test (functionality, performance, etc.) as well as the scope of your test automation. When selecting test automation services, check out that the chosen supplier has a kit of tools required to test the focal points of your business process: various devices (portable, stationary, other hardware), expected behaviors, and software assumed for integration.
Start Testing from Crucial Tasks
Do not overpay for testing all processes and whole functionality, at least not immediately. With the right strategy, it is enough to focus on testing key points to avoid slowing down the release of your product to the market. Think about what really needs to be checked and save money on required corrections and product upgrades. A test automation strategy is most effective when it involves an understanding of your operations and the technologies used.
Compare Test Automation Providers and Pick the Most Suitable Option
After determining the goals and objectives of testing, start evaluating your potential partners and check the following factors:
- The company should have enough experience and technical resources to carry out the work planned. Be sure to ask what tools they plan to use: choosing the wrong tool can bring inefficiencies and frustrations into the project. Your future partner should be ready to demonstrate a portfolio with cases, indicate a technical stack, and refer to real clients.
- Ability to adapt to unexpected changes, smooth communication, and transparency are quite important. You must assess whether your test automation services provider is willing to be honest about the project’s progress even when the going gets tough so that you can take timely action to eliminate negative factors together.
- The provider should show a clear cost structure. You need to determine a fixed work scope and fees to avoid misunderstanding and mitigate risks. Make sure that a low price doesn’t result from the tester company’s lack of experience, and the budget does not have pitfalls, such as unforeseen expenses.
- Choosing an automation service provider, you must be sure that sensitive information and data of your company will not be disclosed. Give preference to firms that pay close attention to data protection and are ready to sign an NDA.
