Why Outsourcing Regression Testing Services Can Save Time and Money?

Table of Content

• Introduction
• What is Regression Testing?
• The Cost and Time Challenges of In-House Regression Testing
• Benefits of Outsourcing Regression Testing Services
• Real-Life Example of Savings Through Outsourcing
• Challenges to Consider When Outsourcing
• Key Features to Look for in an Outsourcing Partner
• Conclusion

Introduction

In the rapidly changing world of software development, Product consistency is important. Regression testing is a crucial method for making sure that new patches or updates don't interfere with functionality that already exists. Nonetheless, doing internal regression testing can be costly and time-consuming for a lot of businesses. External regression testing is a strategic technique that saves time and money. While providing high-quality research results through experienced testing services. In this article, we will discuss why outsourcing regression testing is a game-changer for organizations.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing is the process of rerunning previously created test cases. To verify that recent changes, such as code updates, combining features, or patch bugs. It does not adversely affect the existing functionality of the application.

For example:

• When a new feature, such as a payment gateway, is introduced to an e-commerce platform, regression testing ensures that existing features, such as product browsing, adding items to the cart, and user authentication, continue to perform properly.

For iterative development methodologies that expect rapid change, such as Agile and DevOps, this strategy is especially important. Without regression testing, uncovered flaws could threaten the user experience, resulting in lost revenue and reputational harm.

The Cost and Time Challenges of In-House Regression Testing

While regression testing is essential, managing it in-house presents significant challenges:

• High Resource Investment: Effective regression testing necessitates specialized tools, qualified testers, and an optimised testing environment. Establishing and maintaining this infrastructure might result in rising costs, particularly for small and medium-sized companies.
• Time-Consuming Process: Regression testing is a time-consuming and repetitive process that requires test cases to be performed after each upgrade. To achieve smooth integration, a minor UI modification may entail testing hundreds of cases. This takes up valuable development and QA time.
• Hidden Costs: The expenditures of updating test scripts, keeping testing environments up to date, and investing in new technologies to keep up with technological changes are frequently overlooked. These costs add up over time, making in-house regression testing less cost-viable.

Benefits of Outsourcing Regression Testing Services

1. Cost-Effectiveness

• Elimination of Overheads: Outsourcing regression testing eliminates the need to acquire and educate specialized employees. The outsourcing partner is responsible for the expenditures of infrastructure maintenance, tool procurement, and license acquisition. 
• Pay-As-You-Go Models: Many testing service providers have flexible pricing schemes that allow firms to pay only for the testing they require, making it an affordable option. 
• Access to Advanced Tools Without Extra Costs: Reputable testing firms use cutting-edge solutions such as Selenium, TestComplete, and Appium, which would otherwise be prohibitively expensive for individual organizations. 

2. Time Savings

• Dedicated Testing Teams: By outsourcing, you gain access to a team of skilled testers focused exclusively on testing, leading to faster completion of regression cycles. 
• 24/7 Testing Across Time Zones: Testing service providers often operate globally, enabling continuous testing even when your in-house team is off the clock. 

3. Access to Expertise and Quality

• Specialized Knowledge: Testing firms have domain-specific expertise and experience across industries. For example, they can better anticipate challenges in fintech applications versus gaming apps. 
• Thorough Testing Practices: With access to cutting-edge methodologies like test automation and exploratory testing, outsourced teams ensure high-quality outcomes. 

4. Focus on Core Business Activities

• Shift of Burden: Outsourcing allows your in-house development and QA teams to focus on strategic tasks such as innovation, customer engagement, and new feature development. 
• Improved Productivity: By delegating regression testing to experts, businesses can optimize internal resources and meet delivery deadlines efficiently. 

5. Scalability

• On-Demand Resources: Depending on the demands of your project, outsourcing partners might scale their teams up or down. 
• Adaptability to High Workloads: Outsourced teams can manage varying workloads without sacrificing timing or quality, whether it's a major release or a little update. 

Real-Life Example of Savings Through Outsourcing

Consider a mid-sized SaaS company planning a large software upgrade. Managing regression testing in-house would have included hiring temporary testers, purchasingadditional licenses for automation technologies, and compensating for overtime. Instead, by outsourcing regression testing, they worked with a service provider who finished the procedure in half the time, with fewer resources, and at 40% less cost. This allowed the organization to focus on enhancing the user experience for the new capabilities, resulting in a successful launch.

Challenges to Consider When Outsourcing

While outsourcing regression testing provides various benefits, it is critical to handle potential issues:

• Choosing the Right Partner: Not all software testing service companies provide the same quality. Businesses must evaluate providers on the basis of their knowledge, reputation, and prior performance.
• Communication Barriers: Working with teams from different countries is a common aspect of outsourcing. Establishing clear communication norms is critical to avoiding misunderstanding.
• Data Security Concerns: Sharing sensitive project data necessitates strong non-disclosure agreements and adherence to regulatory norms such as GDPR or HIPAA.

Key Features to Look for in an Outsourcing Partner

• Proven Track Record: Check for positive client feedback, case studies, and industry experience.
• Technical Expertise: Make sure they're using up-to-date testing tools and platforms.
• Scalability and Flexibility: The partner should adjust to your demands, whether you're scaling up for a product launch or down during slower times.
• Security Standards: Verify that the provider follows data privacy standards and employs secure communication channels.

Conclusion

External regression testing is more than just a cost-cutting solution. It is a strategic investment in quality, efficiency, and scalability. Businesses can leverage the experience of skilled people and innovative solutions. This ensures that their software remains flexible and reliable. Even in the face of regular upgrades and changes. When combined with the right partner, outsourcing can transform regression testing from a time-consuming activity into a smooth and efficient process, helping businesses focus on growth and innovation.

About Author

Nikul Ghevariya is a dedicated QA Executive at PixelQA , evolving from a trainee to a valuable contributor across diverse projects. With ambitious goals, he aspires to master new QA tools, and delve into Automation and API testing, showcasing an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.