In the fast-paced, multi-billion-dollar software development industry, product quality is of utmost importance. So is the need to be agile and efficient with development processes that mitigate risks and improve deliverables’ timelines.
But how does a software development company such as Vates ensures superior quality services? The answer lies in Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) services.
The two terms, often used interchangeably, overlap in terms of their ultimate goals. However, when it comes to utility, quality assurance and quality control have varying purposes, processes, and approaches.
To find out whether your software solutions need to go through rigorous quality assurance protocols or have strict quality control implemented, read this blog. But let us tell you, do need both to be able to launch a quality product that fulfills the business needs and enhances customer experience!
What is Software Quality Assurance?
Quality assurance (QA) is the process that aims to eliminate flaws in the Software Development Life Cycle by ensuring that the preset procedural guidelines are followed aptly. Covering different phases of the SDCL, quality assurance verifies that the processes designed to develop a product are followed; hence, the end result at each stage complies with the expectations.
Quality assurance services such as Vates in Argentina have designated professionals (developers and testers) to carry out QA activities based on pre-defined industry guidelines.
What is Software Quality Control?
On the other hand, quality control (QC) is conducted towards the end of the development phase. Often the start of the software testing life cycle, quality control seeks to validate the product quality in accordance with the processes.
Quality control aims to ensure that the end product is in line with demands and complies with the regulatory standards.
Differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control
With some similar goals that we’ll discuss towards the end, quality assurance and quality control have numerous differences. Let’s break down the differences between the two and explain you further.
Process Oriented
The software development life cycle (SDCL) is the process of developing a software product. Quality assurance aims to keep a check and balance during the SDCL and ensure that the processes – as decided by the SDCL plan – are being followed to a T.
Product Oriented
On the other hand, quality control starts once quality assurance has been completed during the software development life cycle. Quality control aims to ensure that the product is as per the industry standards, fulfills the initially defined goals, and has optimum quality. Quality control cannot be done prior to the completion of quality assurance that verifies the process.
Proactive Approach
Quality assurance has a proactive approach. By hiring quality assurance services like Vates, businesses ensure that they can detect problems early on during the development phase and avoid delays in the timeline. The process is proactive in nature that is implemented to find out issues that may not have surfaced yet.
Reactive Approach
Quality control has a reactive approach upon completion of the development cycle. The process is carried out after issues are found in the end product and to fix it. By opting for quality control, businesses ensure that the final marketed product is as per their brand’s standards and is consistent in quality with the products prior.
Preventive Technique
Quality assurance is meant to prevent problems and delays. By implementing procedural checks during the development phase, you can prevent all kinds of problems that may result in a financial loss at the end of the cycle.
Corrective Technique
In contrast, quality control follows a corrective technique. Software testers such as Vates find bugs and fix them towards the end of the cycle. This step ensures that the product available to the end-users is nothing less than perfect in terms of functionality and performance.
During SDCL
Quality assurance is carried out during the software development life cycle.
During STCL
After the software development life cycle ends, the software testing life cycle begins with quality control.
Develop Deliverables
The main goal of software quality assurance is to create deliverables by following the right processes and protocols pre-defined by quality assurance planning.
Verify Deliverables
Once the deliverables are developed, quality control deploys techniques and uses tools to verify the quality of deliverables. This, in turn, helps businesses learn the gaps between their planning and product outcome and take measures to eliminate them.
Defines Standardized Protocols
Quality assurance is started right from the beginning of a product development life cycle, and therefore it establishes protocols. Software developers and testers both know the standard set of frameworks they are obliged to follow during the development phase with the help of quality assurance.
Determines Protocol Adherence
But once the developers are done building the product, quality control services such as Vates check whether or not the developers and testers adhered to the protocols. They also ensure that the steps were not skipped in between, thus indirectly affecting the performance of the end product.
Verification
Quality assurance is a verification process that verifies the steps for the development phase and foresees its impact on the final product.
Validation
Quality control is a validation process that looks at the final product to validate the authenticity of the procedure by looking at the final product.
Involvement of Whole Development Team
Quality assurance services such as Vates involve all their software developers as well as quality assurance professionals during the quality assurance stage. This helps the developers, testers, and technical teams to fully leverage the quality assurance procedure by giving their professional opinions.
Only the Involvement of the Testing Team
However, once the SDCL is completed and STCL is initiated, only the testing team is involved in the quality control phase. This is to ensure that the non-biased and credible quality control is carried out without hindering the end performance of the product.
Similarities between Quality Assurance and Quality Testing
Despite being very different, quality assurance and quality control also have some similarities as well. Here are some of the same things that both quality assurance and quality control do:
Aim to Deliver High-End Products
Despite following different approaches and techniques, both quality assurance and quality control aim to deliver high-end software products. The two procedures, albeit different routes, aim to achieve the same results towards the end.
Fulfill Customer Expectations
At the end of every successful software development cycle is a customer with expectations waiting to be fulfilled. Quality assurance and quality control seek to fulfill customer expectations by following different sets of actions and protocols.
Mitigate Risks and Avoid Setbacks
In addition to developing superior quality products, quality assurance and quality control also seek to mitigate risks. While software testing and QA helps reduce risks during the software development phase, quality control helps eliminate the products before marketing the product. Both these procedures allow businesses to avoid delays and setbacks.
Help Businesses Comply with Regulations
Various industries have diverse regulatory compliances that all businesses must abide by. For example, the medical industry must comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines while developing products, and the construction industry looks up to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Quality assurance and quality control help businesses comply with industry-specific regulations by closely monitoring the processes and the product.
Increases Brand Recognition
Businesses that invest in outsourced software development wish to have a product that increases brand recognition and helps them establish rapport. Good software that has undergone rigorous software quality assurance and software quality control promises a high brand value to the business and its clients.
Believe in Consistency and Quality
Quality assurance and quality control revolve around the ideas of consistency and quality. Both the processes believe in optimizing quality and ensuring consistency of all products churned out by a development company.
Augments Business, Warrants Growth, and Streamlines Processes
Software testing such as quality assurance and quality control delivers on the promise of success and growth for all businesses across all industries. Therefore, businesses that wish to augment operations and grow revenue must streamline their business processes.
Fortunately, streamlining the business processes is doable with superior quality software products that are in line with the company’s goals. And how to get your hands on superior quality software? We just answered that above!
Deliver Superior Quality Software with Vates
Does your business feel it’s lagging behind on the back of redundant and poor-quality software? Do you seek an agile software company to outsource your development? Then get in touch with Vates today.
Vates is a South American software development company that offers nearshore software development services in the U.S. and North America. Based out of Argentina, Vates is also a qualified Atlassian partner that offers software testing services, quality control services, and quality assurance services.
For all advanced IoT solutions, IoT consulting, and Big Data consultancy, reach out to Vates right away. Grow your business with superior quality software development and state-of-the-art testing labs of Vates.
