Software Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Testing — the Basics of Software Quality Management

Poor quality software can devastate business operations, while QA software testing and proper testing techniques help you get there.

Whether you’re focused on Quality Assurance for prevention, Quality Control for inspection, or testing for validation, each step builds toward one goal: delivering software that works seamlessly in real-world conditions.

Without proper quality management, you risk user dissatisfaction, financial loss, and reputational damage. 

Here are some insights on Quality Assurance in software testing for the upcoming 2025 that should make you care about QA and QC even more:

• Software quality issues now impact revenue within minutes, not days.

• The rise of AI and automation has made testing more complex and critical.

• Integration-heavy architectures mean one bug can cascade through entire systems.

• Compliance requirements are stricter than ever, with heavy penalties for violations.

• Modern development speeds demand smarter, more efficient quality processes.
  

This guide breaks down the three pillars of software quality management: Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and testing.

You’ll see how they work together, when to use each approach, and how to implement them effectively in your software development process.

Key Takeaways

• Prevention vs. recovery. Investing in quality management costs 4- 5 times less than fixing post-release issues.
  
• Integrated approach. QA, QC, and Testing work together — none is effective alone.
  
• Early detection. 85% of software defects are introduced early in the software requirements and design phases.
  
• Modern challenges. AI, cloud architecture, and rapid deployment create new quality priorities.
  
• Business impact. Quality management directly affects customer retention, market share, and revenue.
  

Compliance focus. Quality processes must adapt to stricter regulatory environments in 2024

Understanding Software QA, Quality Control, and Testing

Before we go any further, let’s start by clarifying what exactly software testing means because, while it seems all pretty simple, there’s quite a lot to the various aspects of software quality.

This concept was introduced as a means of accessing the conformance of software with implicit (things customers expect from a product based on their previous experiences) and explicit expectations (these are specific targets customers expect in terms of product quality and performance). Here are the two types of software testing conducted for this purpose:

• Functional, which focuses on the product’s functionality from the user’s point of view, e.g., its ease of use, convenience, UI design, absence of glitches, clear contact forms, price-to-quality ratio, and so on.
• Non-functional (or structural), performed to assess the inner components of the software, e.g., its code maintainability, scalability to handle increased loads, security measures, compatibility across different platforms and browsers, and so on. 
  

Of course, assessing the quality of a product through structural testing without having expertise in this field isn’t easy. Therefore, structural quality testing is entrusted to experienced testers who deeply understand software architecture, coding principles, and system internals. Functional testing, on the other hand, is performed through software quality management activities, such as QA, QC, and testing. 

Now, let’s look more closely at the aspects of functional testing. Quite often, when people talk about QA, QC, and testing, they mean the same thing. However, this isn’t entirely correct. Although all of these aspects are inherently aimed at delivering a high-quality product, they use different techniques (which we’ll cover later in the article). 

What Is Software Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance (QA) or Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is a term used to describe a systematic process of assessing the quality of software solutions and implementing ways to improve them. The process identifies the SQA work products and involves project estimation using techniques that ensure continuous improvement.

In a broader context, SQA refers to the organizational part of quality management, including quality standards and requirements. Everyone on the team knows exactly in what order things need to be done and strictly adheres to these rules.

Processes Involved

As part of key SQA responsibilities, teams must:

• Implement proper software engineering processes

• Recognize and identify standards applicable in software development.
• Conduct regular quality reviews.
• Carry out processes for recording test data.
• Arrange and maintain documentation for QC measures.

Methods Used in QA

Let’s see the key QA methods teams rely on to check their websites and applications for issues and bugs. In general, there are two types — non-functional and functional. Let’s start by quickly going through the phases of non-functional testing, which look like this:

• Vulnerability testing aims to detect any potential issues that could expose a website or application to security threats such as cyberattacks, data breaches, or unauthorized access.

• Compatibility testing is conducted to check the product’s compatibility with operating systems, browsers, hardware, and software to ensure that it functions correctly and consistently across different environments.

• Usability testing is executed to ensure that the product’s user interface is easy to understand and use so that end users can interact with a website or application intuitively and efficiently.

• Performance testing allows teams to ensure that the product’s performance remains consistent and flawless under various conditions, including high loads, low battery, etc.

Now, it’s time to look more closely at functional testing methods. Here they are:

• Unit testing is used to check different parts and components of the software in isolation. Unit tests are written before building a module to test specific codebase functions, classes, or modules.

• Integration testing evaluates how different components or modules of the software interact with one another when integrated. It verifies that data flows smoothly between these integrated parts and that they work cohesively.

• System testing extends to the whole framework, enabling test engineers and developers to identify stability issues and spot bugs they haven’t noticed before.

• Acceptance testing is typically one of the final phases before the product’s release, which involves end-users and stakeholders to validate that the product meets requirements and expectations.

Advantages of Software QA

The advantages of implementing quality assurance in software development are numerous, including but not limited to the following aspects:

• Reduced risks of costly errors and rework. Since most errors are prevented early in software development, less time and resources are spent on major technical reviews in later stages.

• A high level of motivation. When everyone understands the product requirements and expectations, they are motivated to contribute their best efforts toward achieving a common goal.

• A culture of continuous improvement. With SQA requirements, teams rather collaborate than supervise, which helps cultivate a culture of constant improvement and boost productivity.

• Compliance with industry standards and regulations. Last but not least, software quality assurance testing helps ensure that products adhere to industry-specific standards and regulatory requirements. This is particularly important for healthcare, finance, and manufacturing niches, where non-compliance may lead to financial consequences.

Examples of QA

Here are some examples of QA activities:

• Project planning;
• Internal/external audits;
• Process analysis;
• Establishing standards;
• Arranging training courses for the team, and more.

What Is Quality Control? 

Software quality control refers to meticulously examining the software product to identify deviations from established standards and specifications. It’s the process of monitoring and inspecting each phase of the SDLC to ensure that the final product answers the desired quality criteria. In simpler terms, think of it as having a manager run quality checks on the website’s functionality by randomly testing its various components. 

Processes involved

• Monitor and inspect software at different stages of the SDLC;
• Take precautions to prevent bugs and errors in the initial stages of software development;
• Constantly analyze data to identify areas for improvement;
• Keep records of the actions taken to maintain accountability.

Methods used in QC

There are two common methods used in software quality control testing — inspection and statistical quality control. Let’s talk about each in detail.

Starting with inspection, this approach falls into the following three categories:

• 100% product inspection and sample inspection;
• Process inspection;
• Inspection analysis.

Depending on the scale of a project, the product can be inspected either completely, which is usually done when the cost of defects is extremely high, or partially. In the latter case, companies typically choose a sample representative of the entire product lot and use sample results to decide if the product is good. 

When it comes to statistical quality control, it focuses on three key aspects: 

• Sampling plans and analysis, which allow organizations to measure the liquidity of the product by executing selective tests of product components;
• Control charts;
• Corrective measures.

By checking samples of the final product along with control charts showing quality deviations from acceptable limits, teams can decide whether to move forward with product deployment or whether corrective action needs to be taken.

Advantages of QC

Below, we’ve briefly outlined the common benefits of implementing QC. 

• Customer loyalty. Consistent delivery of high-quality software leads to building a  loyal customer base;
• Reduced costs. No bugs and errors means no additional costs to fix software solutions;
• Constant improvement. Tracking common error patterns helps avoid them in the future.

Examples of QC

• Inspection;
• Random samples control;
• Verification and validation;
• Manual & automated testing;
• Measurements, etc.

What Is Testing? 

Testing is the process of checking a product as a whole and each of its parts separately. It can be carried out in many ways, using both manual and automated testing tools, depending on the scale and goals of a project. 

Processes involved 

• Develop a strategy outlining what aspects of the product will be tested, how testing will be conducted, and what criteria will define success.
• Create test cases that cover a wide range of product functionalities.
• Run test cases, either manually or through automated tools.
• Document any issues or deviations from expected behavior.
• Repeatedly test the software after each change or update to ensure that new modifications haven’t affected the product’s performance and functionality.

Differences Between SQA, SQC, and Testing

Now that we’ve looked at each of these concepts separately, let’s compare them side by side so you can better understand how they differ from each other.

Approaches

The first difference between QA and QC is in the approach. While quality assurance is a proactive process focused on preventing issues before the development process even begins, software quality control takes a more reactive stance by detecting issues after the product is developed. In regard to testing activities, they serve as a means by which the quality of the product itself is validated and ensured. 

Focus

Quality control testing is focused on procedures that need to take place to ensure product quality, such as creating documentation, conducting audits, monitoring changes and updates, training staff, and so on. QC, on the other hand, is focused on the product. To find bugs and issues, teams use different types of testing, including software testing, batch inspection, validation, beta testing, etc. As you’ve guessed, testing is the method of checking the software for issues under the verification process.  

Goals

The goal of software QA testing is to develop standard requirements for each step of the development cycle so that the final product falls in line with the established quality criteria. The goal of QC is to ensure that the product is vetted from bugs and is ready for release. And the purpose of testing is to create and execute test cases to help identify and fix potential issues. 

Areas of responsibility

Another distinct difference between these three aspects is who accomplishes the work. In the case of QA, the quality standards are set up through coordinated efforts of development, testing, and managerial teams and are met by each team member. QC, in turn, is the responsibility of a small dedicated team charged with inspecting and validating the product, while testing is usually carried out by a team of testers working in-house or remotely. 

To make it a tad bit easier for you, we’ve put together a comparison chart that summarizes the key points.

What United Software Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Testing

Although QA, QC, and testing aren’t the same thing, they are related. Let’s look at what ties them together despite the differences:

• Improvement of software quality. All three — QA, QC, and testing — have the common goal of enhancing software quality, although, in SDLC, they approach it from different angles and at different stages.

• Interdependence. None of these processes can exist without one another. QA sets the rules and ways things should be done for QC. QC uses these rules to assess the product’s quality, and testing verifies that the product follows these rules. They all work together to make sure the software is good.

• Continuous improvement. All three promote a culture of continuous improvement. QA strives to continually improve processes and procedures for better quality outcomes. QC identifies problems that need to be fixed. And testing provides feedback for process refinement.

• Client-centric. QA, QC, and testing ultimately serve the interests of clients and stakeholders, ensuring that the product aligns with their requirements and functions as expected.

• Risk mitigation. They collectively contribute to risk mitigation by defining preventive measures and uncovering and managing issues and defects. 

By and large, while QA, QC, and testing have distinct roles and objectives. They team up to build a strong system that not only stays on guard of the product quality but also constantly improves things and makes sure software development goes smoothly. 

QA, QC, and Testing Across the Software Development Lifecycle

Every stage of software development requires a focus on quality. QA, QC, and testing are the three pillars that ensure the process runs smoothly and the end product meets expectations. 

Each has a specific role to play: QA sets the standards and plans for quality, QC checks that the final product answers those standards, and testing ensures the software works as intended under real-world conditions. 

Finding issues early in the software development cycle is crucial. When quality is maintained from the start through continuous testing, teams avoid costly fixes later.

Together, they create a cycle of prevention, detection, and improvement that minimizes risks and helps deliver reliable, efficient software. QA, QC, and testing each play distinct but complementary roles throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Here’s a simplified look at how they contribute at every stage:

Planning and requirements

QA ensures requirements are clear, consistent, and testable. They set the foundation for quality by defining what “good” looks like early on.

Example: QA checks if a feature like “user authentication” has detailed requirements, such as encryption or session timeout.

QC has minimal involvement at this stage. However, they may offer feedback based on common issues from past projects.

Example: Highlighting cases where vague requirements caused problems during testing.

At this stage, testing may not start, but testers can suggest scenarios or risks to consider when defining requirements.

Design

QA reviews the design to ensure it supports testability and aligns with quality standards.

Example: QA ensures that a multi-device login design considers session expiration for each device.

QC begins preparing for testing by planning test environments and identifying key areas to validate during development.

Example: Setting up environments for testing how APIs will interact.

Initial test planning happens here, where testers define what needs to be tested and outline test cases.

Teams should focus on design quality and use specific quality metrics to measure success. Rely on static testing to find bugs during the software design phase to meet desired quality standards.

Development

QA monitors coding practices, enforces standards, and ensures test automation is integrated early.

Example: Reviewing if unit tests are written for every new function.

QC begins validating pieces of functionality as they’re developed, focusing on small modules or features.

Example: Running functional tests on an individual login form.

Testers run initial tests, such as unit tests and integration tests, to ensure components are working as expected.

Testing phase

QA oversees the entire testing process, ensuring it aligns with plans and standards. They manage the test strategy and analyze the results.

Example: Ensuring both functional and performance tests are executed as planned.

QC actively tests the product, logging defects and verifying fixes.

Example: Identifying bugs in the payment gateway or verifying that reported issues have been resolved.

Testers execute a range of tests, including functional, non-functional, and regression tests, to validate the product.

Deployment and release

QA ensures the product meets release criteria, documenting the testing process and any known risks.

Example: Verifying that all high-priority defects are resolved before go-live.

QC testing performs final validation to confirm the product works in the staging environment.
Example: Running smoke tests to check that critical functionality works.

Testers conduct last-minute checks, such as sanity tests, and monitor the product during initial deployment.

Maintenance

Software quality assurance testing strategy ensures ongoing updates follow the same quality standards.

Example: Updating test cases and automation scripts for new features.

QC tests patches and bug fixes to ensure the system remains stable.

Example: Testing after a security patch to confirm it doesn’t break existing functionality.

Testers conduct regression tests and validate that fixes address reported issues without introducing new problems.

How QA, QC, and Testing Contribute to Your Project’s Success

Each plays a specific role in ensuring software quality. Here’s how QA, QC, and testing contribute across different aspects of development thought the SDLS:

1. Data Security

• QA sets standards for data encryption and secure logins. They define how sensitive data should be protected.
• QC checks that these security measures are correctly implemented. They test encryption and look for any security gaps.
• Testing. Security tests like penetration testing and vulnerability scans are run to find weak spots in the system.

Real case scenario:

QA sets the standard that all data transmitted between the client and server must be encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher. QC inspects the code to verify that TLS is correctly implemented and conducts code reviews to check for any security gaps. A penetration test simulates attacks on the login system to find weak spots and ensure sensitive data is protected.

2. User Interface (UI)

• QA creates usability guidelines, making sure the UI is accessible and easy to navigate.
• QC runs tests to see if the UI works for real users, like healthcare professionals or regular customers.
• Testing. Tests like exploratory and A/B testing are used to check design choices and ensure the UI works well on different devices.

Real case scenario:

QA sets guidelines for consistent button sizes, color contrast, and easy-to-read fonts to enhance user experience. QC organizes sessions where users interact with the app and provide feedback on the UI design and navigation. A/B testing compares two versions of the account management interface to determine which design is more effective for users.

3. Performance

• QA sets goals for how fast the system should respond and how much traffic it should handle.
• QC tests the system under different conditions, such as heavy traffic or long periods of use.
• Testing. Tools like JMeter or LoadRunner simulate real-world loads to check if the system meets performance goals.

Real case scenario:

QA establishes that the app should respond to user actions within 2 seconds and handle up to 10,000 transactions per minute. QC runs load tests to simulate high traffic and monitor the app’s performance during peak hours. JMeter is used to generate virtual users accessing the app simultaneously to test its stability and performance under load.

4. Compliance

• QA creates checklists to ensure the product follows regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
• QC performs audits to verify the product meets compliance requirements.
• Testing. Automated and manual tests are run to check data security and proper logging for compliance.

Real case scenario:

QA develops a checklist that includes data encryption, user consent, and data retention policies to comply with GDPR. QC conducts regular audits to ensure that the app’s data handling practices comply with GDPR and documents any non-compliance. Automated tests verify that personal data is encrypted, while manual tests ensure that user consent is properly logged.

5. Integration

• QA sets rules for connecting the system to other tools or devices, like APIs, medical equipment or payment terminals.
• QC tests each connection to make sure it works and handles errors correctly.
• Testing. API tools like Postman are used to test integrations. For hardware, tests check how well devices work together.

Real case scenario:

QA defines guidelines for API authentication, data formats, and error handling to ensure seamless integration. QC tests the integration with payment gateways to verify that transactions are processed smoothly and errors are handled appropriately. Postman is used to test API endpoints for correct responses and error handling, ensuring reliable communication with external systems.

The Role of Testing in Various Development Models

Testing is critical in SDLC. The sooner a product is tested, the faster issues are found and the less money and time it takes to fix them. Let’s look at the role of testing in relation to existing software development models. 

Testing in the Waterfall Model

The Waterfall Model is a traditional model of software development in which each stage strictly follows the other. The team starts with planning, analyzing, and designing a prototype. Next comes the implementation phase and testing, after which the product moves to the post-production maintenance stage. 

This is in the ideal scenario where everything goes smoothly, and no bugs have been found at an earlier stage. However, in reality, things don’t always work out the way they should. While finding a bug at the design stage is not so critical, finding it after the product is built takes significantly more costs and resources to fix it. Just so you can get an idea, the cost of fixing a bug during implementation is 6 times higher than during the design stage, which is a lot.  

Therefore, it’s so important to test every product feature while it’s still in development so you don’t miss critical defects that can lead to significant setbacks and increased expenses later in the process. When testing is done systematically, teams can ensure overall quality throughout development.

Agile Testing

To overcome the challenges faced by the Waterfall model, agile methodologies have emerged as a popular and effective alternative. In this model, testing is performed in sprints along with the development process, allowing software engineering teams to identify and fix bugs on the spot. 

What’s more, getting testers involved in the early stage of the development process positively impacts the team’s communication. By collaborating closely with developers and stakeholders, teams can prevent misunderstandings, significantly speeding up the development process. No wonder, over 86% of US companies have adopted agile methodologies, and those who haven’t done so yet are planning to turn to agile in the coming years. 

Quality Assurance isn’t just about building a QA team in agile software development. It’s a practice embedded within the entire development team’s mindset and workflow, where everyone’s working to achieve a top-quality product right from the start. 

DevOps Testing

DevOps is a relatively new methodology developed as an extension of Agile to improve the coordination between development and operations teams. However, in contrast to Agile, DevOps promotes the idea of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) and automation that allow for more frequent software deliveries. This way, whenever a new code is committed, or there are some changes in the environment, test engineers can quickly validate the code to avoid bottlenecks later in the pipeline. 

Every change request is carefully evaluated to ensure it aligns with the project scope and does not introduce unintended defects.

It’s worth noting that because DevOps testing has to be executed at every stage of the SDLC, testers are expected to have strong technical skills and even have the knowledge of the code. Otherwise, they might be unable to carry out testing activities effectively.

The Methods of Software Testing

As we mentioned earlier, the main goal of software testing is to reduce the presence of errors in ready software solutions so they can be safely delivered to end users. Each part of the software requires different testing approaches to ensure the complete software meets quality standards.

However, the truth is that no software is 100% bug-free. Moreover, it cannot be fully tested due to the infinite number of possible inputs, configurations, and scenarios that users might encounter. 

Therefore, QA engineers use different methods to identify the best test cases depending on specified conditions. Let’s take a closer look at these methods:

Black-box testing

This method examines the software’s functionality without delving into its internal code structure. Testers treat the software as a “black box” (hence the name), where they input various data sets and observe the outputs to ensure they align with expected results.

Black box testing is precious for validating user interactions, input validations, and overall system behavior. It ensures that the software performs correctly from an end-user perspective, regardless of how it’s implemented internally. 

• Functional, performance, use case, and usability testing.

White box testing

Contrary to the black box method, this technique involves in-depth knowledge of the code, which is why, most often, it’s executed either by developers or software architects. They examine the code, algorithms, and system architecture to identify potential flaws and vulnerabilities and ensure that all code paths are properly executed.

• Unit and security testing.

Gray box testing

As it comes from the name, gray box testing combines elements of both black box and white box techniques. Testers are expected to have partial knowledge of the software’s internal structure, allowing them to design test cases that consider the application’s functional and structural aspects. 

• Integration and security testing.

Ad hoc testing

Ad hoc is a flexible and spontaneous approach. It doesn’t follow predefined test cases or scripts. Test engineers, often with a good understanding of the application and domain, explore the software freely, trying different actions and inputs based on their intuition and experience. This method is especially useful for uncovering unexpected issues, irregular behaviors, and disability problems that formal test cases may not cover. 

• Usability and exploratory testing, quick checks for critical issues.

Regression testing

This is an iterative method aimed at ensuring that new code changes or updates do not introduce new defects or disrupt existing functionality. Test cases from previous cycles are re-executed to verify that the software still operates correctly after modifications. Regression testing can be applied to all testing types and levels and is often automated to minimize time, effort, and labor costs. 

Seven Principles of Software Testing

Before wrapping up, let’s touch upon the principles of software testing that every QA professional should know and apply to ensure effective and reliable outcomes. These seven principles are described in the book “Foundations for Software Testing” by Dorothy Graham, Erik Van Veenendaal, and Isabel Evans and serve as guiding rules.

#1. Testing reveals the presence of mistakes

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that testing doesn’t insure against mistakes. As we’ve mentioned earlier, there’s no 100% bug-free software, and the whole idea of testing is to ensure that the number of these issues is reduced to a minimum. 

#2. It’s not possible to perform exhausting testing

Secondly, it’s impossible to test all the potential test cases and scenarios that may arise in an application. To give you the gist, a simple form with 5 input fields and two options would require creating 32 test cases to cover all combinations. 

Now imagine more complex software with numerous features and value options. To fully test this software, teams must spend weeks creating every possible scenario and input, which is impractical and costly. Therefore, instead of wasting time and resources on a task that’s impossible, organizations focus on the most critical areas of software where defects are most likely to occur.

#3. Test early

As we stated earlier, the cost of fixing a bug increases exponentially throughout the software development life cycle, so it’s important to involve professional teams as early in the development process as possible. By working in parallel with the development team, test engineers can quickly identify defects and bugs and ensure they don’t add up and destroy the logic of the entire product. 

#4. Defect clustering

Defect clustering is based on the Pareto principle, which says that 80% of bugs and defects are typically found in 20% of system modules. This way, if a bug is found in one of the modules, chances are high that there are more issues hidden from view.

#5. Pesticide paradox

The Pesticide paradox principle emphasizes the need for continuously updating and evolving test cases. It recognizes that as a software product evolves, the same set of test cases, if repeatedly used, may become less effective at finding defects. Therefore, it’s necessary to regularly review test strategies and introduce new test scenarios, data inputs, and techniques to keep pace with the changing software.

#6. Testing is context dependent

This principle means that testing different types of software applications will require different approaches, techniques, and methodologies. For instance, safety measures that are highly important for fintech applications have a lower priority for corporate websites. Similarly, you’ll need to use different approaches when testing an e-commerce application.

#7. Absence of errors fallacy

If the software is free from bugs, this isn’t always an indicator of proper quality. It can very well be that it’s been tested for the wrong requirement. Of course, the primary goal of software QA and QC is to minimize the amount of defects, but more than anything else, it is also to ensure that the software product meets the user’s needs and expectations. 

What’s Trending for 2024-2025 in Software Testing

We see the following trends for software testing and QA for 2024-2025. The focus is on practical, tech-driven advancements that are becoming essential for teams working on modern software projects:

AI-powered testing

AI is being used to automatically generate realistic test data sets and beyond. This helps improve test coverage and reduces the manual effort needed for preparing data. Teams can now simulate real-world data scenarios more efficiently.

Chaos engineering in QA

Intentionally introducing failures to see how systems respond is gaining traction. Known as chaos engineering, this approach is helping teams build more resilient cloud-native systems by exposing weak points in a controlled way.

API security testing

As APIs become central to modern apps, API security testing is increasingly important. Techniques like fuzzing and penetration testing specifically target APIs to ensure secure and reliable interactions between services.

Shift-right testing and observability

Extending testing into production environments is now common. By using observability tools, teams can monitor and detect issues in real-time, allowing for faster diagnosis and resolution while software is live.

Blockchain testing frameworks

With the rise of blockchain, there are new frameworks designed for testing smart contracts and decentralized systems. These tools help ensure blockchain apps run smoothly and securely.

AI model testing and validation

AI/ML models require specialized testing. Teams are developing methods to test for bias, explainability, and performance across various data sets, ensuring AI systems are reliable and fair.

Low-code/No-code testing tools

Visual testing tools are on the rise, allowing non-technical team members to contribute to the QA process. These tools simplify test creation, helping cross-functional teams work more efficiently.

Performance testing for 5G applications

With the expansion of 5G, testing for ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth use cases is crucial. Performance testing is adapting to meet the demands of this next-generation network infrastructure.

Creating an Effective Software Quality Assurance Plan

A software quality assurance plan helps teams deliver reliable software by combining manual testing, automation, and proper quality control processes. 

Benefits of an SQA plan

Clarity and accountability. Everyone on the team knows their role in ensuring quality, reducing confusion and overlaps.

Proactive risk management. Identifying potential issues early saves time and resources later in the project.

Consistency across projects. A documented plan ensures that quality practices remain consistent, even with changes in team members.

Improved stakeholder confidence. A well-defined SQA plan reassures clients and stakeholders that quality is a priority.

Here’s what makes a good QA plan work:

Key Components of a QA Plan

1. Testing Strategy

• Which features need manual testing

• What to automate

• Testing schedule and deadlines

• Required testing tools and environments

2. Team Responsibilities

• Manual testers’ tasks

• Automation engineers’ focus areas

• How developers participate in testing

• Who reviews and approves test results

3. Testing Types and Timeline

• Unit testing during development

• Integration testing between components

• System testing of the full application

• User acceptance testing before release

4. Quality Standards

• Bug severity levels

• Acceptable pass rates for tests

• Performance requirements

• Security testing requirements

5. Documentation Requirements

• Test case formats

• Bug reporting procedures

• Test result records

• Release approval process
  

An SQA plan must also address how static testing will be used during the design and requirement phases to identify potential issues early. Including clear exit criteria for each development stage ensures that quality benchmarks are consistently met before moving forward.

SQA plan in action

Imagine a fintech application requiring strict compliance with PCI DSS standards. The SQA plan might include:

• Setting encryption standards for sensitive data.

• Defining weekly code review sessions to ensure security.

• Conducting penetration tests at each release stage.

• Reporting defect density trends to stakeholders biweekly.
  

This approach not only prevents critical issues but also builds confidence in the product’s reliability.

By implementing a robust SQA plan, teams can systematically ensure that quality is built into every step of development and beyond.

Wrapping Up

Software quality is about building trust, reducing risks, and ensuring your product delivers on its promises.

• Quality Assurance (QA) lays the foundation by defining standards and processes.

• Quality Control (QC) ensures the product meets those standards through rigorous inspection.

• Testing validates that everything works as intended in real-world scenarios.
  

These three pillars work together to prevent costly errors, improve user satisfaction, and keep projects on track.

And to finalize this somewhat lengthy pro-testing saga, here are some lesson we will live by in 2025:

Lesson #1. Early detection wins

• Finding bugs in development: ~$100

• Fixing production issues: $10,000+

• Losing customer trust: Priceless
  

Lesson #2. Modern challenges need modern solutions

• AI testing tools are essential, not optional

• Security can’t be an afterthought

• Compliance requirements keep getting stricter
  

Lesson #3. Your next steps

• Start with a solid QA foundation

• Build QC into your workflow

• Automate where it makes sense

• Keep manual QA for critical paths
  

Quality management isn’t cheap, but software failures are crushingly expensive. Companies that invest in quality today are the ones that will survive tomorrow’s challenges.