It requires a lot of skill and expertise to ensure the final product is of high quality and meets the desired standards. However, hiring employees can be a challenging and expensive task. Traditional hiring methods involve a lengthy recruitment process, which can be time-consuming and costly. This is where staff augmentation comes in as an alternative solution.

Staff augmentation allows companies to hire skilled professionals on a temporary or project basis without requiring a lengthy recruitment process. In this guide, we will explore the steps involved in implementing software QA staff augmentation services.

What Is QA Staff Augmentation?

QA staff augmentation is the process of hiring external resources to supplement and enhance the quality assurance team of a company or organization. External resources can be hired temporarily or permanently, depending on the company’s needs. Hiring an augmented QA team ensures the company’s software development life cycle meets the required standards.

Why Are More Companies Turning To QA Staff Augmentation These Days?

QA staff augmentation has become increasingly popular for companies to deal with the evident skills gap within the Quality Assurance (QA) community. It allows companies access to experienced, well-equipped, and trained professionals, which in return helps businesses stay competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.

For example, automated testing tools like Selenium, Appium, and TestComplete can detect a broader range of bugs within applications with more precision and speed. These tools require experienced QA specialists to set them up and tweak them according to the requirements of the projects. QA specialists with skills like these don’t grow on trees.

To stay ahead in a digital-driven business environment, companies must ensure that their applications and solutions are bug-free and their business processes are secure. QA staff augmentation enables them to tap into the specialized, professional, and certified QA resources needed for projects to stand the test of time.

What QA Positions Are Most Often Wanted for Staff Augmentation?

QA services ensure that software products meet the required standards and specifications. As a result, companies are always searching for external talented and experienced QA professionals to augment their existing teams and save money.

Here are some of the most commonly sought-after QA positions for staff augmentation:

• Manual QA Tester Augmentation: Manual testers analyze requirements specifications and develop detailed, comprehensive, and well-structured test plans and cases. Manual QA testers must have excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to troubleshoot effectively.
• Automation QA Tester Augmentation: Automation testers are responsible for developing and executing automated unit tests. They must have strong programming skills and the ability to create and maintain automation test scripts in various languages.
• Performance Tester Augmentation: Performance testers assess applications’ and components’ performance, scalability, and reliability. They must thoroughly understand network protocols, server/client architecture, and browser integration technologies.
• Security Tester Augmentation: Security testers identify, assess, and respond to security threats and vulnerabilities. They must have a keen understanding of security principles, firewalls, and network security protocols, as well as the ability to detect and analyze malicious code.
• Mobile App Tester Augmentation: Mobile app testers are responsible for assessing the functionality and usability of mobile applications. They must have a strong understanding of mobile platforms and device architectures and the ability to optimize mobile applications across varied platforms and devices.
• Usability Tester Augmentation: Usability testers are responsible for evaluating user experience and interface design of applications. They must have an eye for detail, be able to assess the user experience, determine user requirements, and provide feedback on design and usability.
• Test Automation Engineer Augmentation: Test automation engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining automated tests. They must have an understanding of the software development processes as well as  the ability to write well-structured code for test automation.
• QA Lead/Manager Augmentation: QA Lead/Managers lead and manage quality assurance teams. They must have an understanding of software testing processes and technologies and the ability to evaluate and execute test plans and strategies.

What Steps Should I Follow to Implement a QA Staff Augmentation Strategy?

Implementing a QA staff augmentation strategy can significantly enhance your team’s capabilities and improve the quality of your products or services. However, it’s essential to approach this process strategically to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your investment.

Here are some steps you can follow to implement a QA staff augmentation strategy:

1. Identify your needs

Figure out what technology stack you’re working with, the project timeline, and the project scope. From this, you can develop a list of resources and skill sets required.

2. Select a reputable QA staff augmentation provider

Research providers to find one that aligns with your project goals, timeline, and budget. Choose a provider with experience in the technologies you are working with who will take the time to understand and adapt to your needs.

WillDom, for example, is a reputable QA staff augmentation provider that offers a range of services to help ensure the success of your project. It has experience working with various technologies and industries and takes a collaborative approach to understand your needs and goals.

3. Conduct interviews and skill assessments

Once you have chosen a provider, conduct interviews and skill assessments to ensure the QA-augmented staff has the necessary skills and experience to meet your requirements. During the interview, ask relevant questions about their knowledge, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

4. Onboard the QA augmented staff

Create a comprehensive onboarding manual with information about your company culture, job responsibilities, communication channels, and other relevant information. Also, schedule orientation sessions for the new hires to get to know the company and its values.

5. Manage and review performance

Monitor and review the performance of the QA-augmented staff continuously. Ensure they can meet project deadlines and deliver the desired results. Regular feedback and periodic performance reviews are essential to maintaining team morale and ensuring consistent quality output.

What Are the Possible Challenges in Implementing QA Staff Augmentation?

QA staff augmentation allows organizations to scale their teams quickly, access specialized skills, and reduce labor costs. However, like any other business strategy, there are also potential challenges that may arise.

• Integration with the existing team: The new team members may have different ways of working, other processes, and different personalities. It is essential to have a plan in place for how the new team members will be integrated and how they will work with the existing team.
• Limited availability: It can be challenging to assemble a team with the necessary skills and expertise to complete the project successfully.
• Security: You also get unknown risks when you bring new team members. It is crucial to have security measures in place to protect your data and your systems. This may include background checks, security training, and access controls.

Working with a top QA staff augmentation provider like WillDom can help eliminate these challenges. WillDom has a proven track record of successfully integrating new team members with existing teams while providing cost-effective solutions.

Tips for Successful QA Staff Augmentation

Successful QA staff augmentation is more than finding the right people to fill the positions. There is a science behind the success of this process. involves finding the right balance between the quality of the candidates, the level of communication between the team members, and the overall project management.

Here are some tips that can help you achieve success with QA staff augmentation:

• Conduct post-project evaluations: Conducting a post-project review to assess the performance of your QA staff can help identify any areas for improvement for future projects. Consider gathering feedback from your internal team and external stakeholders to get a well-rounded view.
• Establish clear communication channels: Establish clear communication channels early on in the project, such as through email, video conferencing, or project management tools. It helps ensure everyone is on the same page and that any issues or concerns can be addressed quickly.
• Provide regular training: It’s essential to provide regular training to your QA staff, especially if they are new to your organization or working with new technologies. Consider offering training sessions regularly or providing access to online training resources.

What should I look for in a QA staff augmentation provider?

Every business has priorities, so finding a provider that can cater to those requirements is crucial. Considering these factors will help you make an informed decision and choose a provider to help your business succeed.

• Communication: Communication is critical when working with a staff augmentation provider. Look for a provider that is responsive and communicative, and that has a straightforward process for keeping you informed about the progress of your project. Make sure you have a clear understanding of how communication will work and what channels will be used.
• Quality of staff: It’s essential to ensure that the provider has a rigorous hiring process and only hires skilled and experienced QA professionals. Look for a provider that has a strong reputation for providing high-quality staff.
• Flexibility: Make sure the provider is flexible and can accommodate your needs. This includes being able to scale up or down as needed, as well as being able to provide staff with the specific skills and experience you require.

QA staff augmentation is a valuable solution for businesses looking to enhance their QA teams and ensure that their products or services meet the required standards. By carefully selecting a reputable provider and following the steps outlined in this guide, businesses can access skilled and experienced QA professionals without needing to go through a lengthy recruitment process.

With a commitment to providing the best staff and a collaborative approach to understanding your needs, WillDom can help you hire the perfect software testers for your company. WillDom can help your business thrive in a rapidly changing business environment by providing quality QA engineers to perform QA testing.

Contact WillDom today to hire software testers that meet your quality assurance needs and enhance project quality.