Quality Assurance is... Assurance
tl;dr
- Look for Multi-Layered Testing: Good QA includes unit, integration, and end-to-end testing, not just UI clicks.
- Automated Testing = Long-Term Efficiency: Automation improves reliability, accelerates feedback, and reduces regression bugs.
- Bugs Happen—It’s How They're Handled That Counts: Transparent bug tracking and structured resolution processes matter.
- User Acceptance Is a Must: The client should have a seat at the table when it comes to final approval and usability testing.
Launching a custom software application without a solid quality assurance process is like releasing a product without testing if it works. QA isn’t just about finding bugs—it’s about building confidence. The approach your development partner takes toward testing will directly impact the reliability, usability, and long-term maintainability of your application. Here’s what you should ask about—and why it matters.
Testing starts early—or it’s already too late
Quality assurance isn’t a final step—it’s an integral part of the software development lifecycle. If testing doesn’t begin until the product is ‘done,’ that’s a big red flag. Effective teams bake testing into development where appropriate1. This approach prevents bugs from ever making it to production and reduces the cost of fixes.
Different tests serve different goals
A complete QA strategy can include multiple layers of testing: unit tests to validate small components, integration tests to ensure systems work together, and end-to-end (E2E) tests to simulate real-world usage3. Functional testing ensures the product does what it’s supposed to; performance testing checks how it holds up under pressure. Ask which types of testing they use, when and how.
Automation is the long game
Automated testing isn’t just faster—it’s scalable. It allows for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), enabling quick releases without sacrificing stability2. Look for teams that use tools like Jest, Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright to automate repetitive tests and flag regressions. While manual testing still has a place (especially for UX validation), automation saves time, money, and headaches in the long run.
Bug tracking shows professionalism
No matter how careful a team is, bugs will happen. What matters is how they manage them. Ask if they use systems like Jira5, GitHub Issues, or Asana to log, prioritize, and resolve bugs. A professional QA team will categorize issues by severity, provide reproducible steps, and track resolution over time. If the answer is “we use email,” that’s a signal they lack structure.
You’re part of QA, too
The final stage of testing should include you: the client. This phase—called User Acceptance Testing (UAT)—allows you to confirm that the product meets your expectations in real-world scenarios4. A good vendor will guide you through this process, gather feedback, and iterate as needed before going live. If a company doesn’t include you in testing, that's a red flag, and you risk discovering problems after launch—when they’re harder and more expensive to fix.
Final thoughts
Quality assurance isn’t a checkbox—it’s a culture. It’s the discipline of caring about the details, testing assumptions, and verifying that the software delivers on its promise. When choosing a custom software partner, don’t just ask if they “do QA”—ask how. The strength of their testing process is one of the best predictors of your project’s long-term success.
At iS2 Digital, we look to integrate automated and manual testing into every phase of our development process. From the first commit to final launch, we test rigorously so you can launch confidently. Let’s talk about building reliable software together.
References
- Coherent Solutions: What Does Full Lifecycle Quality Assurance Look Like?
- Atlassian: Software Testing in Continuous Delivery
- Software Testing Magazine: Top 10 Software Testing Trends for 2024
- Forbes: Revolutionizing Test Automation: A New Era For QA Leaders
- Browser Stack: 20 QA Best Practices to Broaden Testing Strategy in 2025
