What you need to run beta testing

Beta testing strengthens the product by taking valuable feedback from real users, who will actually test the product in a real-time environment. This will help in understanding the robustness, scalability, maintainability, usability and reliability of the product before it is being released in the marketplace.

This testing method ensures that the final product must be of very good quality because only then can it be used by a larger section of society. In this article, you will get to know the core factors that are needed to run an effective beta test.

What is beta testing?

In this testing method, end-users will be given the opportunity to test the finished product in terms of performance and functionality and provide their feedback.

Following are the five points that need to be considered for running effective beta tests:

1.Formulate a strategy:The specific product areas need to be identified that will have a major impact on the customers.The stability of the product must also be considered. The workflows can be used by target customers with or without a manual needs to be ascertained.

Testers need to evaluate the product in order to provide their feedback and also make sure that there are no show-stopping issues that may distort their perception. Those areas need to be identified that can be assessed feasibly and can be put into the right place.

2.Prepare a well-defined plan of action: Improper planning can negatively affect the beta testing activities in the form of irrelevant feedback and low participation. For running a successful test, a test plan is the best option. High-value tasks such as data analysis and recruitment can be smoothly carried out through a well-defined plan.

Some of the important features or product areas that can be tested are:
• Customers’ experience should be the core focus
• Stakeholder’s priority
• Proper timelines for carrying out effective testing

Similarly, the testing team along with stakeholders and product owners can identify more features through beta testing activity. These features will play an integral role in the beta test plan.

3.A proper strategy for recruitment: Recruiting the right testers who can do justice to the beta testing activity should be selected. Depending upon the target market and how your product is going to be positioned in the marketplace, you must chart out a recruitment strategy. For describing the target market, demographics, psychographics and technographics should be properly studied in order to recruit the right testers.

There must also be a certain qualification criterion for bringing in capable and reliable testers. On the contrary, observe whether the testers who want to be a part of the beta test are really passionate enough to completely involve themselves in this particular activity.

4.Obtain valuable feedback: When everything is set in place and the product is ready to be tested by testers, then comes the most important phase and that is feedback.

What is the main purpose of the feedback and how the feedback should be submitted must be clearly known to the testers, so that they can do their level best to provide valuable feedback. Provide all the necessary resources to the testers for them to fully participate in the testing activity.

5.Analyse the results: After the feedback is received, the data obtained needs to be thoroughly analysed. Keep a good note of the tasks that need to be done after reviewing the data meticulously.

Conclusion:The above mentioned five factors clearly explain how to run a beta test. If you are looking to go more deeply into the beta testing activity and want to know the precise methodology to conduct a successful beta test for your project, then just get connected with a premium software testing services company.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.