Complete Guide to Software Testing Outsourcing in the UK

The outsourcing market in the areas of testing and software development is gradually growing. In addition to significantly reducing costs, this approach provides companies with access to global talent and increases the productivity and efficiency of work processes. Partnering with outsourcing companies in the United Kingdom is a strategic solution that more and more businesses are turning to.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons for the popularity of the option, evaluate its main advantages, and provide some tips on how to choose a reliable vendor.

What Is Outsourcing in Software Testing?

In short, outsourcing is the transfer of a company’s software testing phase to a partner. It’s a way to ensure that programs and applications are thoroughly tested before release in cases where the development company can’t handle it on its own. Testing outsourcing can involve entrusting a vendor with testing of a single component or an entire system.

The UK is one of the centers of technical development and the emergence of hundreds of new startups every year. The constant improvement of digital products and the rising need for software testing in United Kingdom have led to a high demand for outsourcing services. Companies need skilled QA engineers to meet their needs for producing high-quality programs. Since the local market can be limited in talent, working with outsourcing partners can be a better solution for many businesses.

Why Companies Resort to Outsourcing: Top Reasons

There are many reasons why development companies may delegate testing to a third-party vendor. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Lack of skills within the team. Projects can vary and require different knowledge and experience. Sometimes teams don’t have enough skills to handle testing on their own.
• Tight deadlines. If you have a small team and a very short deadline, outsourcing is inevitable.
• The need for an objective assessment. Constant work with the project may prevent you from seeing gaps that other independent testers will not.
• Working on a short-term project. If you have a small and short-term case, it will be easier to outsource the testing phase than to recruit a new team to complete the project.
• The necessity of rapid expansion. You are unlikely to be able to quickly expand your team to test a fast-growing project. You’re better off outsourcing and not wasting time to stay competitive.

Some companies resort to outsourcing in specific situations, while others choose it on a regular basis. Both situations are quite common in the UK and guarantee a reliable result.

What Are the Benefits of Outsourcing Testing

While at first glance, choosing a reliable contractor may seem time-consuming, outsourcing actually has many benefits to consider. Software testing outsourcing can help businesses to:

1. Focus on their core tasks. Overloading the on-staff specialists may reduce their productivity and delay the release of the project. Outsourcing testing increases the efficiency of engineers and allows them to focus on their core responsibilities.
2. Hire the most experienced and highly specialized testers. By outsourcing, companies can outsource testing to specialists who have the skills to thoroughly test the program or application.
3. Reduce overall costs. Expanding a team will entail significant expenses, while outsourcing testing involves paying only for the work performed.
4. Meet the tightest timeframes. With outsourcing, businesses can ensure that their product is tested quickly and on time. They have almost unlimited access to resources that guarantee timely delivery.
5. Avoid problems with team recruitment. Hiring and replacing employees is time-consuming and can negatively affect the result. It will be better if the software is tested comprehensively. 

Outsourcing allows you to test products all around and determine how they perform accessibility, respond to the load, guarantee a better user experience, etc.

What to Pay Attention to When Choosing a Partner Company

Choosing a reliable vendor in the United Kingdom is one of the keys to success. You may be surprised by the number of solutions on the market, so you should know what to consider first.

When deciding which company to work with, learn more about:

• The company’s portfolio, such as who their clients have been, what experience the testers have, and what industries they specialize in.
• The technology stack used by the specialists, namely the tools, methods, and types of testing.
• The model of interaction with the developer and the frequency of information exchange.
• The cost of the service, hidden fees, additional price points, etc.

To ensure that your product is thoroughly tested before entering the market, define clear channels of communication with the outsourcing company and set key performance indicators. Outsourcing is a popular and beneficial option in the UK software testing industry. It’s best suited for startups and fast-growing businesses that need to involve outside experts.