Why Testing Is Important in the Software Development Lifecycle

by Thijs Kok, on December 21, 2021

With so much going on in software design and development, it can be tempting to not give software testing the time and focus it deserves.

However, what good is a product if it doesn’t work as expected or provides a poor user experience?

Although there are many different phases in the software testing lifecycle, they work together to ferret out technical or functional issues as early as possible. And although no piece of software is perfect, performing thorough testing can go a long way toward preventing performance and usability issues.

However, software testing can do so much more for your brand.

Here are a few of the obvious—and not so obvious—benefits that come with performing structured testing.

Test Whether a Design Resonates with Potential Customers

Borrowing a technique from other forms of design and engineering, some organizations choose to perform testing during the initial phase of a project.

Performing testing at the prototype stage can be effective, allowing you to determine if the planned design would resonate with potential customers or whether your idea is even feasible given the current capabilities of your development team.

It’s especially essential to determine feasibility before investing your time, money, and resources into the project. 

Confirm That the Software Integrates

Software no longer operates within a silo. Data regularly flows in and out of systems and is manipulated, reviewed, and stored many times as it moves through business processes.

This is why performing integration testing as part of structured software testing is so essential.

Integration testing allows a design team to see how well individual components or even entire pieces of software work together to execute the use cases they were developed to complete. 

Confirm That the Product Is Fit for Purpose

Once a software development project is underway, the effort will take on its own life, and designers will be drawn toward certain features or functions.

Although these are ideal times to identify innovations and form new skills, it’s vital to remember that your software intends to satisfy specific requirements.

If these requirements are not met—or if the product technically fulfills the specification but isn’t usable—then the ultimate design is not fit for purpose. Failing to confirm that software achieves its purpose and passes usability tests can result in unnecessary costs and customer dissatisfaction, potentially leading to distrust of your brand. 

Ensure New Features Resonate with Customers

The time and effort needed to introduce new releases, patches, and fixes represent a significant organizational investment. 

If customers do not understand how these new features work or their role within the software, your organization can end up with higher costs and wasted investments.

Not only can testing confirm that the new features work with the existing product, but it can also ensure that customers will be able to use these features correctly.

Take Your Software Testing to the Next Level

Most of the time, software testing isn’t as glamorous as the design phase or as satisfying as the launch. However, if it is performed correctly and approached with the right perspective, it can be a valuable use of your time.

Not only does software testing allow your team to detect issues with your product early in the development process, but it also prevents them from causing potentially larger (and more costly) issues post-launch. 

Fortunately, there are test management tools out there that can streamline the various phases of software testing, provide consistency from project to project, and ensure your customers receive the end product they deserve.

Ready to get your hands on one of these industry-leading test management tools? Then click here to get a free trial and take a minute to download our latest free resource, The Ultimate Guide to Effective Test Management.

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