Why is a Quality Assurance Tester Needed on a Software Development Team?

Dinesh Thakur

25 Mar 2025

Software development is a complex process that demands sharp attention to detail. Even a minor error in code can lead to far-reaching consequences, such as non-working or low performance of the application. Also, in some cases, the application works well in the beginning, and the performance starts deteriorating within a few weeks or months.

The success of any software development project depends on the quality of the final product. This is where quality testing becomes indispensable for software building. A QA tester scrutinizes every line of code, every function, and every interaction to ensure that the end product is reliable, secure, user-friendly, and fully functional. 

This blog explains the importance of quality assurance, its benefits, and steps to perform quality assurance testing on software development. 

What is Quality Testing?

QA testing is a process of evaluating an application or software to ensure its functionality, quality, and development. The process involves the identification of bugs, verifying compliance adherence, and analyzing the performance and user experience of the software. A skilled QA tester detects and fixes any bugs and errors to ensure the quality and performance of the application.

Role of Quality Testing in Software Development

The role of quality testing in software development guarantees the quality and dependability of software solutions. Quality testers are responsible for conducting various tests and working with software developers team to ensure the highest quality of the final product. The role of QA testing involves the following processes:

Test Planning & Strategy

Quality Assurance (QA) testers collaborate with project stakeholders to understand requirements and establish the testing boundaries. They create test plans and test strategies that capture what is to be tested, along with the manner and methods used for testing.  

Designing & Executing Test Cases

Testers will create and execute test cases based on functional and non-functional requirements. They record the results and ensure the software works as expected, functions properly, optimally, etc. 

Discovering & Reporting Bugs

Testers will carefully discover and record any bugs during testing. They will report bugs through bug tracking software, providing the dedicated development team with detailed steps on how to reproduce and presenting evidence to support them.  

Documenting & Analyzing

QA testers will keep a thorough account of the testing done, including test cases and scenarios as recorded during the tests. They will analyze their testing data, create reports, and share the knowledge with stakeholders at a later date, giving a tangible basis for further testing based on current findings.

Why is a Quality Assurance Tester Needed on a Software Development Team?

In addition to simply testing the working and performance of your application, there are multiple reasons for which you need a QA tester for software development. 

1. Improved Software Quality

A QA engineer makes sure your software is polished before it is released by identifying and fixing bugs during development. Therefore, you have a more reliable, secure, and user-friendly system.

2. Reduced Risk of Software Failures

Software failures usually occur because undetected bugs are allowed to slip through the cracks. This can seriously harm your business and cost you money. A QA engineer reduces this risk by letting you identify issues before they become problematic.

3. Happier Users

Users expect software applications to be smooth and reliable. While it can never be expected to be completely bug-free, a QA tester will get you as close to that as possible. Users will experience fewer errors, making them more likely to trust and use your product.

4. Saves Time and Money

Fixing errors after launching is expensive and takes a lot of time. A QA engineer will identify the bugs while you are developing the software, eliminating those costs and providing valuable time to get your product out to market.

5. Keeps the Development Team on Task

QA testers provide feedback, which helps the developers remain on task regarding quality assurance. Developers are able to gain insight into whether the quality of design and/or functionality will meet user expectations, producing a well-designed and effective product.

Simply put, a QA engineer is an essential role to produce quality software that meets user expectations, in addition to the expected business outcome.

Benefits of QA Testing in Software Development

QA testing isn't something you can skip, it's super important for making software. It helps find problems early, makes things more dependable, and makes sure your program fulfils the needs or goals for which it is developed. Here are some important benefits that software testing and quality assurance bring to app development:

1. Saves Money

Developing software can be complex, and many things might go wrong. A good plan for software testing and quality assurance (QA) helps catch problems early. With a clear QA plan, including specific tests, everyone knows their role and tasks. Quick bug fixes and correct prioritization can save money throughout the custom software development process.

2. User Experience (UX)

Quality assurance ensures an app is functional, reliable, and free from bugs. Without proper QA, users may face glitches that disrupt their experience. High testing standards help developers deliver apps that work smoothly and are enjoyable to use.

3. Software Reliability

Including quality assurance in development ensures the final product meets standards and user expectations. Proper testing helps organize code and identify problems before launch. This proactive method results in a more dependable app, reducing risks of major issues after release.

4. App Security

Security is vital in software development, and QA plays a crucial role in finding vulnerabilities. Thorough testing identifies security issues, preventing data breaches. A well-tested app ensures all parts work together to protect user data and provide a secure environment.

5. Accelerates Development

One key advantage of quality assurance is speeding up development. QA teams conduct ongoing testing to find and fix bugs early, preventing rework. By catching and addressing problems early, developers can focus on new features rather than troubleshooting existing ones.

Quality assurance isn’t just about fixing mistakes, it’s about making a great product that people can count on, which makes you more efficient and keeps you winning. Paying for QA is paying for success down the road.

Steps to Quality Assurance in Software Development

A good QA process is well-structured by a team leader or manager of the QA testing team so that every part of the app gets tested well to ensure the quality and performance of the final product. Here are the steps you need to follow as a QA tester for quality assurance. 

1. Determine the Needs

QA testers determine earlier what the app needs to do and how it should perform after development. This helps them understand how it should work, spot possible problems, and plan out how to test it. Catching issues early on saves both the time and effort of the development team. 

2. Planning the Tests

Based on what the app needs to do, QA testers or managers make a testing plan. This includes how you'll test it, what you'll test, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. Then, the QA manager assigns tasks to individual testers to keep the entire process organized. 

3. Designing Test Cases

Testers make detailed test cases that show which part of the software needs testing, what data to use, and the expected result. If you're using automation, automated tests are written. Also, a test environment is set up that is similar to the real one in which the finally developed application needs to work. 

4. Doing the Tests and Reporting Problems

Developers start by testing small parts of the application. Then, the QA team tests the bigger parts, like the user interface. Any bugs that are found are put into a system to keep track of them and to make it easier to fix the errors.

5. Testing Again and Checking for New Problems

After fixing all the bugs and errors, testers run the tests again to make sure there are no issues with the application's working and performance. They also check to see if any new changes have messed up other parts of the app. In case of any such issues, they make the necessary changes to fix them.

6. Final Testing Before Release

Before the app is released, the QA team checks the working of the application once again. They do quick tests to make sure it's stable and run new tests to cover any recent changes. If everything goes well, the app is ready to be released.

Conclusion

Software testing and quality assurance are essential to ensure a high-quality product that meets goals. QA testers make sure the final product works well, is safe, and easy to use. If you don't have good QA, you'll end up with bugs and problems that annoy users, cost extra money to fix, and can even hurt the company's image. QA testers find issues early, which saves time and money. They also help make the product better and keep everyone on the same page. 

Beyond just saving costs, QA builds user trust and reliability. With advanced tools and automation, businesses can enhance efficiency, optimize resources, and deliver excellent apps while controlling costs. Prioritizing QA leads to better software, satisfied customers, and long-lasting success.

FAQ’s

Why a software development team needs a quality assurance tester?

QA testers are required to ensure the quality of software products, fix bugs and errors, and increase customer happiness. A thorough software quality testing ensures that the product will work accurately after deployment. 

What does a quality assurance tester do in software development?

QA testers focus on detecting and fixing bugs, confirming requirements, improving user experience, and encouraging teamwork.

How do QA testers lower development expenses?

QA testers reduce the expense of resolving errors after deployment by spotting them early during development. Once the errors are fixed before deployment, the chances of malfunctioning are negligible. 

Can automation replace QA testers?

No, automation cannot replace QA testers. Human QA testers work better in complicated testing scenarios and user experience validation, where automation doesn’t work. Automation works only to improve efficiency in standard testing situations. 

How do QA testers enhance teamwork in software development?

QA testers guarantee alignment by serving as a coordinator between developers, project managers, and stakeholders.