SQA – Software Quality Assurance

Software Quality Assurance is a way of making sure that the software works correctly, meet user requirements, provide good user experience and it is free of bugs before it is released into the production. In simple words, SQA makes sure that the right product is built in the right way.

SQA is set of activities throughout the software development phase to ensure that the product is:

• Working as expected
• Easy to Use
• Provide Good User Experience
• Free of Bugs
• Meeting the Business and User Requirments
• Reliable, fast and secure

What Does “Software Quality Assurance” Mean?

• Software = Apps, websites, or programs we use on phones or computers.
• Quality Assurance (QA) = Checking that something meets a certain standard.

So together, Software Quality Assurance (SQA) means making sure software is reliable, safe, and does what it’s supposed to do — without bugs or issues.

Think of it like a final quality check before a new product goes to the market.
Just like how cars are tested before being sold, software also goes through many tests before being released.

Who Are SQA Engineers?

SQA Engineers (or QA Testers) are the people responsible for checking the software.
They don’t write the main code (that’s done by developers), but they test it in every possible way.

Their main goal is to find problems before users do.
They act like detectives — searching for bugs, errors, or anything that could go wrong.

Example:

If a developer builds a “Login” feature for a website,
the QA Engineer will test:

• What happens if you enter the wrong password?
• Does the “Forgot Password” link work?
• What if you leave the field empty?
• Does it work properly on both laptop and mobile?

What Exactly Does SQA Include?

SQA isn’t just testing — it’s a complete process that ensures quality from the very start of a project.

Here’s what it involves:

1. Planning: Setting quality goals before development starts.
2. Designing Tests: Creating a plan to check all features.
3. Manual Testing: Testing the software by hand, like a real user.
4. Automation Testing: Using tools to automatically test software.
5. Reporting Bugs: Listing all the problems found.
6. Verification: Making sure bugs are fixed correctly.
7. Continuous Improvement: Learning from each release to avoid future mistakes.

Why Is SQA Important?

Here’s why SQA is essential for every software company:

1. ✅ Prevents user frustration – Nobody likes apps that crash.
2. 💸 Saves money – Fixing bugs early is cheaper than fixing them later.
3. 🛡️ Ensures security – SQA helps find security holes that hackers might exploit.
4. 🚀 Builds trust – Users are more likely to use software that works smoothly.
5. 🕒 Saves time – Preventing problems early means fewer issues after launch.

Manual vs. Automation Testing

There are two main ways SQA Engineers test software:

1. Manual Testing

They test everything by hand, step by step — just like a regular user.
👉 Best for: New features, simple apps, or user experience testing.

2. Automation Testing

They use special tools to automatically test the same features again and again.
👉 Best for: Large apps, repetitive tasks, and time-saving.

Real-Life Example

Imagine you’re using an online shopping app.

Without SQA:

• You click “Add to Cart” and nothing happens.
• Payment doesn’t go through.
• Images load too slowly.

With SQA:

• Every button works smoothly.
• Payment is secure.
• The app feels fast and reliable.

That’s the difference QA makes — a better user experience for everyone.

How to Become an SQA Engineer

If you’re curious about starting a career in SQA, here’s the roadmap:

1. Learn the basics of software and testing.
2. Practice manual testing on sample websites or apps.
3. Learn tools like Postman (for API testing) and Selenium (for automation).
4. Understand bug reporting and test case writing.
5. Keep improving communication and problem-solving skills.