In today's world, IT solutions are indispensable, but no software product should reach the end user without a thorough quality check. That is why testers play an important role in the life cycle of any software.
Testers' contribution to the result often goes unnoticed, while developers and managers get the spotlight. But it's testers who turn raw code into a user-friendly and stable product that not only works but also impresses.
To celebrate this date, we decided to tell you more about who testers are, what role they play in projects, and why product quality is impossible without their participation.
QA, QC and testing: what do these concepts mean?
In the field of software quality, the terms QA and QC are often used. It is worth understanding what they mean:
- QA (Quality Assurance) - is quality assurance. It is a comprehensive approach that covers all stages of product development: from requirements analysis to post-release support. It's a process, not a single stage.
- QC (Quality Control) - quality control. This is a part of QA that is directly related to the verification of the work performed. This includes code analysis, testing, technical reviews, and verification of compliance with specifications.
- Testing - direct testing of the product's functionality, usability, stability, and performance.
What a tester does in practice
Finding bugs is only one part of it. In fact, a QA:
- checks the performance of all functionality;
- analyzes the logic of user scenarios;
- checks the stability of the system in different conditions;
- predicts bottlenecks in the product's performance.
Its task is not just to point out an error, but to predict where it might occur in the future.
What types of testing are there?
Testing can be divided into several types:
- By area: functional, load, security, and usability testing.
- By method: manual testing and automated testing.
Both types are important and have their own use cases depending on the complexity and scale of the project.
Skills a tester should have
A good tester should combine analytical thinking with curiosity. It is important for him/her to:
- be attentive to details;
- have critical thinking;
- not be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions;
- know the basics of programming (for automation);
- be ready for continuous learning.
In fact, a tester is an analyst who thinks like a user but acts like an engineer.
How to become a tester
As of 2025, universities do not graduate individual QA specialists. Most specialists come to this field through:
- self-study (books, videos, courses);
- practice on projects;
- retraining from related roles (analytics, support, etc.).
At ToDo, we believe that the main thing is not a diploma, but systematic thinking, attentiveness, and a desire to work on product quality.
How testers work at ToDo
Our team works with large ERP projects, where a mistake can cost a business significant losses. Therefore, testing is carried out in several stages:
- Internal testing by developers.
- Testing by QA/QC specialists and consultants.
- Testing by a focus group of users on a copy of the working database.
In testing, we involve colleagues from sales, finance, and accounting - those who will actually work with the system. This allows us to ensure that the product meets business expectations.
Does a business need its own testers?
If you are developer or integrator, you can't do without a tester. But if you are a customer of the system, you don't need to have your own QA specialist - you can always rely on our expertise.
ToDo specialists not only test functionality, but also consult, identify system weaknesses, and offer solutions that help improve business processes.
Conclusion.
Testers are the ones who keep quality under control. They work in the shadows, but their contribution to creating a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly IT product is invaluable.
The QA ToDo team is made up of specialists who are not afraid of difficult challenges, strive for perfection, and never let go of a product that has not passed all the tests. And it is thanks to them that your "ERP cake" always has a cherry on top.
