Testing is a critical aspect of software development that clients often overlook. However, testing helps identify bugs and issues early on, which can save time and money in the long run. It is crucial to have a robust testing process in place, including automated testing and manual testing, to ensure that the software is functioning as intended.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly why testing is so important and when and how you should do it.

Why Should I Conduct Software Testing?

Even the world’s best software developers make mistakes. Human error is inevitable. The goal of software testing is to uncover these mistakes and correct them before your product goes to market.

Whilst it may not be possible to run a test for every possible variation, thorough testing will reduce the likelihood of errors, gaps, bugs, defects and missing requirements falling through the cracks and increase the quality of your final product.

If you don’t test your software, you run the risk of creating a poor-quality product at best, and a dangerous product at worst. In extreme cases, an undetected bug or defect could degrade interconnected systems or lead to serious malfunctions with catastrophic outcomes. Like the time Nissan had to recall over one million cars due to a software defect in the airbag sensor detectors, for example. Or when Hawaii sent a false missile alarm to residents – a direct result of human error causing configuration defects in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency’s alarm system. And, worse still, were the two Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which caused 346 fatalities and was said to be caused by a flawed flight control system.