Key Strategies to Improve Software Quality and Reduce Errors

Making software can be pretty tricky and needs careful work. Nothing’s perfect, and almost all software has bugs from the start. During the whole development process, lots of different solutions and tools are used. So, even a small mistake can cause everything to go wrong. When that happens, you might have to restart, fix issues, or do a bunch of troubleshooting. All of this takes time, resources, and can push back the release date.

How do you improve software quality? That’s a big question, and there are definitely answers. But we’re going to go over the most important ones for you here.

Few Things to Look Into

Here are some ways to look into when developing your own software to avoid errors.

1. Test from the start

Testing the software has always been a part of software development, but as a rule it always comes in the end. Testing early has its various perks. For starters, you can identify the bugs right at the nip. This will save loads of time spent on testing, identifying problems, and troubleshooting. Testing and troubleshooting in real-time not only saves cost but you’re able to meet project deadlines too.

In this context, automation testing software helps eliminate errors as they occur. It comes in the first phase of the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) stride and speeds up the development process as you move through phases. It is also known as shift-left testing, which means performing the software testing earlier in the lifecycle.

With such an efficient approach, companies can reduce costs and save time and energy in the long run.

2. Applying quality controls for developing software

Ensuring that your software is secure from any technical errors or bugs is paramount. Software architecture happens in layers, and each layer adds more complexity to the design. Usually, the quality control team and developers meet at the end of SDLC. They ensure that the software meets the standards as required. 

But if there is any sway in strategy, it is figured by the end of development. Recently, QArea developers offer to explore the benefits of collaborations right from the beginning. Such partnerships allow the developers and testers to build a positive relationship for implementing the right strategy for future estimates. Moreover, this allows the developers to track any further difficulties and prevent them in advance.

3. Aim for adaptation of the software

Developing software and reaching your goal sounds great. But do you know if it’s adaptable to its diverse environment?

For this purpose, it is important to analyze all the external factors for your product to generate maximum user experience. Then the main procedure starts, which enables you to keep testing and verifying your software updates. These checks help identify if the software is adaptable and compatible with the environment. Developers can plan accordingly for future software updates because of conducting periodic testing.

In this way, you will check your software quality standards and maintain your product’s rank in the market.

4. Record your risk logs

The most important step in maintaining the check and balance of your software quality is keeping a risk log. It helps you in:

• reporting risk and identifying its occurrences 
• exploring the chances of risk and the heaviness of its influence
• keeping in order who manages the risk
• recording status of each risk situation and negative repercussions
• categorising them on their odds

A risk log is a powerful tool in keeping your brand quality notable. Also, it allows you to stay prepared in advance for any bugs or difficulties that may arise in the future.

5. Taking the right decisions for a long-term success

If you want your product to be sustainable in the long run, the most obvious decision is to develop a product that adapts to changes and developments. But this is only the first step to ensuring brand quality in the future. What you need to do now is to make sure that your software passes the tests of its times. Encourage your team to work on a project that will be successful every time.

No one wants the software development to get stuck in one place with no room for updates. So, work and evolve your software into something that will provide you results in any environment phase. For the greater good, focus on producing opportunities to create better chances of success.

6. Create an overview on what you deliver

Keeping your check and balance on the internal working of the technical side is significant. But at the same time, you should always be prepared to provide an overview of what you are developing.

Your brand voice is another step closer to ensuring your software quality and maintaining it. For this purpose, you need to deliver a run-down of your product to ensure its rank from the outside. It includes pointers that are part of your development process. This includes budget, cost, intangible resources, etc.

Why is it Important to Take These Measures?

It helps the developers and companies in the following ways:

1. Saves time

When there aren’t many layers to software, checking for error processes is reduced. Automatically, if this strategy is implemented at each stage, the end testing run by QA (Quality Assurance) becomes easy to clear.

2. Save expenses

Now that software is post-SDLC, and problems have surfaced. It calls for reinforcement since there are many layers to check. That adds to the development cost and delays the release of the software.

IBM System Science Institute reflects in a report on the cost of fixing a defect. For example, the bug identified in the third phase costs 15 times more than identifying it from the design. This is because the problem gets more complex and entwined in layers as the phases progress.

Since talking about expenses incurred in the real world, the Samsung Note 7 did a huge recall because they had bugs in the battery. If caught in the design phase, it would have saved the company 17 Billion USD.

Final Thoughts

Having business-specific software is vital for all entities. At the same time, you need to pay attention to how you develop it to meet your objectives.

In this regard, don’t forget any of these things:

• Strict quality controls at every phase of SDLC
• Customization and flexibility
• Threat-proofing, with the help of a risk log
• Overview – budget, targets, and purpose of software

Keeping these attributes in mind, you’ll surely come up with the right tool for all kinds of business needs.