Building an Effective Software Testing Team

Tim Ryan , Tim Ryan serves as the Director of Marketing for Testlio and spends his time between Austin, TX and New Orleans, LA.

March 14th, 2023

As organizations streamline operations and tighten budgets, software testing remains a crucial area for optimization.

Yet, ensuring robust testing with fewer resources isn’t just about fixing bugs—it’s about delivering stable, reliable, and user-friendly products that drive long-term success. 

Recent software failures underscore the risks of insufficient testing. Rushed deployments can lead to costly outages, poor user experiences, and brand damage. 

Without strong testing processes, identifying and resolving these issues becomes significantly harder.

This article explores practical strategies for optimizing software testing when hiring is frozen, budgets are tight, or teams are smaller. By using flexible staffing models, crowdsourced testers, and strategic outsourcing, companies can maintain high software quality while maximizing efficiency.

Even if your company has the budget to hire in-house QA, building a software testing team while navigating macroeconomic uncertainty is difficult. Further, finding skilled testing talent, including QA and QE experts, is a challenge. Sourcing, hiring, and onboarding the best quality assurance and quality engineering resources is expensive and time-consuming. 

But the web and mobile software development show must go on. Many of Testlio’s clients embrace flexible staffing models to maintain or accelerate production schedules, regardless of the state of their workforce. They leverage a mix of in-house QA, crowdsourced testers for on-demand testing, and full-time or part-time outsourced QA and QE talent for both manual and automated testing. The economies of crowdsourcing and outsourcing software testing are undeniable.

Common Roles & Responsibilities with a Software Testing Team

In a software testing team, various roles collaborate to ensure the delivery of a high-quality product. Key positions and their primary responsibilities include:

Test Manager

The Test Manager oversees the entire testing process. They develop and implement test strategies and plans. This role ensures testing activities align with project goals. 

They allocate resources, monitor progress, and communicate with stakeholders. The manager also upholds testing standards and mitigates risks.

Test Lead

The Test Lead works closely with the Test Manager. They coordinate daily testing activities. Responsibilities include defining the testing scope and assigning tasks to team members. 

They monitor progress and act as a bridge between the Test Manager and testers. Test Leads also ensure proper documentation and assess risks.

Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer

QA Engineers design test suites and create test cases. They focus on developing test documentation. Their role is to evaluate the software and ensure it meets requirements. 

QA Engineers verify that the product meets quality standards.

Quality Control (QC) Engineer

QC Engineers execute test plans to identify software defects. They focus on finding bugs and verifying product functionality. Their work ensures the software is reliable and functions as intended.

Test Automation Scripters

Test Automation Scripters specialize in automated test scripts. They create and maintain these scripts to improve efficiency. They choose automation tools and integrate tests into the development pipeline.

Manual Tester

Manual Testers execute test cases without automation tools. They identify issues like UI inconsistencies and usability concerns. Their work ensures the software delivers a smooth user experience.

Each role plays an important part in the software testing lifecycle. Together, they ensure high-quality software that meets user expectations.

Differences Between Crowdsourcing and Outsourcing

Crowdsourcing and outsourcing are two powerful models for software testing, each with its unique strengths. 

Choosing the right one depends on the specific needs of your project. Let’s break it down to help you decide.

What Is Crowdsourced Software Testing?

Imagine needing a team of testers to quickly run through your app on various devices, finding issues you might never have thought of. That’s crowdsourcing. 

It taps into a global pool of freelance testers, available on demand, anytime—24/7/365. These testers work for short bursts, often during critical times like pre-launch, to help ensure your software runs smoothly for real-world users.

The best part? Crowdsourcing offers massive scalability. Need testing done on hundreds of device models across the globe? No problem. 

Crowdsourced testers bring diverse perspectives and use cases, making them perfect for spotting compatibility issues or bugs that arise in unique scenarios.

For example, a gaming app developer may need feedback on how their app performs on less common device brands or slower internet speeds. 

Crowdsourcing makes this possible. However, these testers may not have long-term familiarity with your product, which can limit their ability to provide in-depth insights.

What Is Outsourced Software Testing?

Outsourcing, on the other hand, is like having an extension of your team. Dedicated Quality Engineers (QEs) work with you consistently over time, either part-time or full-time. 

These professionals often focus on specialized tasks like automated or regression testing, ensuring every detail is fine-tuned.

For instance, an e-commerce company launching seasonal sales might need a QA team to handle automated testing of their payment systems daily. 

Outsourced QEs are ideal for such consistent, long-term engagements because they develop an in-depth understanding of your product and workflows.

How to Decide?

If you need short-term, flexible testing across a variety of devices, go for crowdsourcing. For ongoing, detailed quality assurance, outsourcing is your best bet. 

Combining the two can also give you the best of both worlds. For example, you could use outsourced QEs for core testing and crowdsourcing for burst testing before a release.

Read more about flexible software testing staffing models here.

How to Build Your Own Software Testing Team

Creating a software testing team is a critical step in delivering reliable software. A well-built team ensures your product meets user expectations and stands out in the market. 

Let’s dive into the steps to assemble and empower your team.

1. Recruit the Right Individuals

Start with finding the right people. Look for testers with strong technical skills and a keen eye for detail. 

For example, someone familiar with automation tools like Selenium or Appium can help streamline repetitive tasks. 

Problem-solving skills and curiosity are just as important. A good tester should think critically and explore beyond the obvious.

Don’t forget soft skills. Strong communication and teamwork abilities ensure smooth collaboration with developers and stakeholders. 

Diversify your team by hiring a mix of juniors for fresh ideas and seniors for experience. Platforms like LinkedIn or GitHub are great places to discover top talent.

2. Define All Roles and Responsibilities

A clear structure sets your team up for success. 

Define roles like QA Analysts to write test cases, Test Engineers to automate processes, and Test Managers to oversee the entire strategy. 

For instance, a junior QA Analyst could focus on manual testing, while a senior engineer develops advanced automation frameworks.

Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities. This clarity avoids confusion, reduces overlap, and helps the team work efficiently.

3. Empower Team Members with Training and Support

Knowledge is power. Provide resources like online courses, certifications, and workshops to help your team grow. For example, training in tools like JIRA, Jenkins, or performance testing software can boost productivity.

Cross-training is also valuable. It allows team members to expand their expertise into areas like security testing or API testing. A team that feels supported will perform better and stay motivated.

4. Foster a Great Team Culture

Culture is the glue that holds your team together. Encourage open communication and create a safe space for sharing ideas. Celebrate wins, no matter how small. 

For example, acknowledge a team member who identified a critical bug before release.

Team-building activities, like group lunches or problem-solving exercises, can strengthen relationships. A supportive culture leads to better collaboration and higher job satisfaction.

5. Track and Measure Team Performance

Keep an eye on how your team is doing. Use metrics like defect detection rates, test coverage, and resolution times to measure success. For example, if your team finds and resolves bugs faster over time, you’re on the right track.

Regularly review performance and provide constructive feedback. Recognize achievements to keep morale high. Tracking progress ensures continuous improvement and alignment with project goals.

Three Models for Building A Software Testing Team

To help you visualize ways to build your manual and automated testing capacity, we’ve curated three real-world software testing staffing examples for any economic environment.

Staffing Model Example One: B2C Communications

Our client is one of EMEA’s leading ecosystems for media, communication, and payments solutions. They earned mobile app of the year accolades in 2020. However, as their application became more complex, their ability to scale testing was impaired by a lack of internal expertise. They needed help building manual and test automation strategies, governance, and processes. 

They evaluated seven software testing companies in search of a partner offering guidance, coaching, and hands-on resources for QA and QE. 

Here’s their current software testing resource breakdown: 

Staffing Model Example Two: Digital Healthcare

Our client is a pre-IPO digital therapeutics healthcare company with $1B in venture-backed funding. The development team was on pace to double in size, which put much pressure on their single offshore testing resource, impacting overall quality. As a result, it became mission-critical to either expand their internal testing and quality team, double down on offshore QA, or find a holistic testing partner. 

With flexibility and ROI as the driving force, the client opted for a mix of Testlio’s crowd-testing resources to conduct exploratory, regression, scripted, and smoke testing. 

Here’s their current software testing resource breakdown: 

This combination helped them increase capacity by freeing up engineering time and offered better ROI than hiring in-house. 

Staffing Model Example Three: Business Software

Our client is an early-stage start-up with a B2B VR inventory management software application. An underperforming QA lead left their testing practice in a mess. As with many start-ups, the time to recruit highly skilled software testing talent was something they didn’t have at the ready. Their CTO dreaded having to interview and hire a replacement, but the company needed help. 

With guidance and coverage as the priority, the client opted for a mix of Testlio’s resources to decipher their testing needs, build a strategy, and manage all testing. 

Here’s their current software testing resource breakdown: 

This combination helped them rebuild a better and more efficient testing practice with greater flexibility, coverage, and cost savings over hiring in-house. 

Bonus Tip: Optimize Teams for Software Testing on a Small Budget

Operating on a small budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. With strategic planning and resourceful approaches, you can create a cost-effective and efficient software testing process. Here’s how:

1. Prioritize Testing Efforts

Focus on testing features that directly impact user experience. 

For instance, if you’re building an e-commerce app, prioritize testing functionalities like checkout processes, payment gateways, and product searches. 

By concentrating resources on high-risk areas, you’ll ensure critical components perform flawlessly.

2. Leverage Open-Source Tools

Save costs by using free, open-source testing tools. Selenium, for example, is perfect for web testing, while Appium works well for mobile apps. 

These tools provide robust capabilities without the need for expensive licenses. Use them to automate common test cases, like verifying login processes or validating search results, to get the most value from your resources.

3. Implement Automation Strategically

Start small when adopting automation. Focus on repetitive tasks like regression testing or form validation. 

For example, automate tests for commonly used features, such as login screens or user account setups. Expand automation efforts gradually as you see results, ensuring you balance efficiency with affordability.

4. Outsource Specific Tasks

Outsourcing can be a smart way to reduce costs. Crowdsourced testing, for instance, offers access to testers across the globe who can test your software on various devices and environments. 

This approach helps you uncover compatibility issues without the expense of maintaining an in-house testing lab.

5. Invest in Team Growth

Support your team with affordable learning opportunities. Offer access to webinars, free tutorials, and online certifications. 

For example, encourage team members to explore new automation tools or security testing techniques. A skilled and adaptable team can handle complex challenges, saving you from hiring additional staff.

Conclusion

In the best of times and in the worst of times, you’re on the hook to continuously test and release the highest quality web and mobile software applications. So whether you need to occasionally augment your internal QA team or bring on full-time QEs, scaling your software testing capacity doesn’t have to be a “keep you awake at night” type of stressor. 

Ready for faster, more reliable releases? Contact us today to see how our AI-powered testing and expert staffing solutions keep your software flawless.