STP Collaborative
Testing Project Info
- Testers: 15 testers (US and UK only)
- Testing Type: Functional & Exploratory
- Browsers: Across all types and versions (IE, FF, Chrome, Safari, etc.)
- App Type: Web
Customer Spotlight
- Location: Melville, New York
- Industry: Software Testing Media
- Company Size: Privately owned (10+ employees from multiple countries)
- Methodology: Agile
Who Will Test The Testers?
As one of the most recognized publications in the QA industry, Software Test & Performance magazine has shaped some of the brightest minds in the business. So when the company decided to launch STP Collaborative – a site dedicated to providing software professionals with information, education, training, and networking opportunities – they made it a point to test as thoroughly as possible. Of course, how could they not?
“No matter what kind of site or product you’re launching, you want to make sure that it’s been tested by professionals,” said STP President and CEO Andrew Muns. “But for a site dedicated to excellence in software testing, it’s even more important.”
Wildbit, a Philadelphia-based company that helps businesses create better web products, was tasked with developing the site. Chris Nagele - the “Process Evangelist” for Wildbit - had learned of uTest from an industry conference, but had never used the service, and so he was eager to see how uTest works.
As the three-day testing cycle kicked off, Chris selected (and managed) a team of 15 testers who would perform functional and exploratory testing on the new site. In the end, Chris wasn’t surprised by the testing coverage, the talented pool of testers or the speed and ease-of-use of uTest’s services – he was surprised by the fact that more companies have yet to make the switch from traditional outsourcing.
In their own words...
On the outsourcing alternative:
“For companies that manage testing internally and just want another set of eyes, there aren’t many options that don’t include a long-term commitment. uTest, thankfully, has been a great exception to this rule.”
On the importance of a diverse testing team:
“You can have the best QA tester in the world, but you cannot substitute them for an entire team. The more people you have testing your system, the better off you’re going to be.”
On uTest’s ease of use:
“The QA process is sometimes treated like an afterthought. uTest makes it easy for companies to devote the proper attention to testing prior to launch. There’s no longer any valid excuse for a lacking of testing.” - Chris Nagele, Process Evangelist, Wildbit
