Quality Assurance

At Validio, quality is much more than testing software before delivery. Instead of quickly putting an application together and then perfecting it through many testing and bug-fixing cycles, we strive to design and build systems with fewer bugs right from the start. A disciplined and professional approach to the development process ensures a quality product, while quality assurance and testing systems are in place to control the development process and validate the final results. Thus, testing is primarily a verification of the quality built into the product through professional design and quality assurance.

Quality Planning

Based on our clients’ requirements, we adjust our quality assurance systems to provide the required level of quality for each project. For example, a medical application requires a much higher investment in quality than a rarely used data conversion utility. We balance our design and testing activities with the risk factors and budget for each particular project. A detailed test plan, created at the start of the project, documents the required quality standards and the planned quality assurance procedures.

Development Process Control

Before code is ready for testing, we make sure it is designed and written with the lowest possible chance of defects. To ensure that the development process is accurately followed, the QA team performs regular internal audits. During these audits, Validio checks project organization, documentation, and quality records against our own guidelines and metrics, as well as general industry guidelines and best practices.

Testing

Validio uses written test plans and protocols (test cases) to perform the testing phase of each project. Our QA personnel are proficient in many types of testing: functional, user interface, white-box, black-box, regression, stress, performance, configuration, compatibility, and integration. Our testing process includes automation tools for unit, regression, load and stress testing.

Defect Control

During development, we track defects internally. When the client begins participating in reviewing deliverables, an issue tracking system is open and accessible to both the client and Validio’s development team. We primarily use Microsoft SharePoint as a web-based defect/request tracking tool. As required, we can implement a different system, use the client’s system, or arrange synchronization between the client’s systems and our own. Issue status is systematically tracked, and as each issue is fixed, it is always verified. Wider-scale regression testing may be performed as necessary.