Apps have become a vital tool for many businesses. They can improve customer engagement, sales, and conversions. But they are not immune to problems that can hurt the bottom line. To avoid that, developers undertake various assessments, including alpha testing.
This blog post talks a great deal about an underrated software development step. It also compares alpha testing vs betatesting and illustrates the benefits of doing the former.
Alpha testing is performed to test the software for its functionality, usability, and overall performance. The software testers mainly focus on the core features of the software very minutely and ensure that they are performing or working as intended. Any derailed program or logarithm detected is then rectified.
What Is Alpha Testing?
Before an app goes public, a diligent software development team performs alpha testing. What is it?
Alpha testing is a type of internal testing often performed during the software development process. It is different from beta testing in the following ways:
- Time of Testing: Alpha tests usually happen at the earliest stages of software development. Beta tests, on the other hand, take place before the product’s official release.
- Type of Tester: In alpha testing, the testers are usually chosen from among the developers themselves or from a small group of users within the company. Beta testing is open to anyone who wants to try out the product, although those who are part of the target market are more ideal.
- Scope: Alpha testing covers both white and black box tests. In other words, they focus on the functionality of the product as well as how it is coded. Beta tests, however, only look at the product’s functionality since its code has been deemed stable enough by this point.
- Frequency: Alpha testing is done more frequently than beta testing since developers would want to catch defects as early on in the development process as possible.
Benefits of Alpha Testing
Alpha testing is redundant, costly, and time-consuming. But it is critical in software development for the following reasons:
1. It Helps to Identify Bugs and Glitches Early On
The impact of bugs, glitches, and other errors even in the earliest part of app development can never be understated. They can cause a domino effect that leads to more problems down the line, which in turn can lead to costly delays.
During alpha testing, assessors put the product through its paces to check for any errors that may have gone undetected during previous development stages. By identifying and fixing these issues at this point, you avoid compounding their effects later on.
It also leads us to benefit #2.
2. Alpha Testing Saves Money and Time in the Long Run
Software development is not cheap. It can range between $15,000 and $35,000. These amounts are only for starter projects. Bigger and more complex ones can easily go as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Investing time and resources in alpha testing may seem like a waste at first glance. After all, you want to realize the return on investment (ROI) on your app quickly.
But if you consider the potential cost of not doing it, you may change your mind. Catching errors and making changes early on are always going to be cheaper in the long term.
You spend less money fixing a problem you could have avoided in the first place. Further, you get to avoid the opportunity cost of delays that can hurt your business. These include losing potential customers to the competition and having a negative impact on your brand.
3. It Aids in the Development of Better Features
Not all features are created equal. Some are core to the product while others are nice-to-haves. In other words, some are essential while others can be sacrificed without affecting the user experience too much.
During alpha testing, you get an opportunity to check which of your product’s features resonate well with your target users. What’s matters more is you can drive opinions from the internal team. They can comment on many aspects that beta testers can miss, such as the framework, design, and architecture.
This feedback is vital in helping you create a product that users will actually want to use. It also allows you to focus on the development of features that are truly essential to delivering value.
In turn, alpha testing gives you a competitive edge by improving the quality of the final Product.
4. Alpha Testing Facilitates Better Communication Between Developers and Stakeholders
It is not uncommon for stakeholders to have high expectations for an app that the development team may not be able to meet. This can lead to frustration on both sides and cause the project to go off the rails.
Alpha testing can help prevent this from happening. By involving stakeholders in the early stages of testing, you give them a chance to see the product in its current state. This gives them a better understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
It also allows for an open dialogue between all parties involved. If there are features that cannot be implemented or will take longer than expected, stakeholders can adjust their expectations and provide input that can help the development team make informed decisions.
Conclusion
Alpha testing, while not perfect, is a necessary step in developing high-quality software products. By catching errors early on and facilitating communication between all parties involved, it can save you time and money in the long run. It also helps ensure that your final product is one that users will actually want to use.
