What is Beta testing?
It is a testing method where beta testers test the beta version (80% to 95% completed) of a product or application in a real-time environment and then provide feedback. Based on the feedback provided, the team will further modify, make the necessary corrections and thus improve the overall quality of the product.
The cons of beta testing:
1. It is considered to be a time-consuming process and there might be delays in the product’s final release
2. There might be an issue with selecting the right number of users to perform the beta test
3. The development team has no control over the beta testing process as the entire testing is carried out by beta testers
4. A lot of duplicate bugs might be a cause of concern
5. There is no proper and systematic way for reporting bugs that have been identified
6. The application‘s functionality is not tested in detail as the product is still in the development phase.
The strategic need to perform beta testing:
A wider mix of users will be involved in testing the product. Based on the user’s background and what they want out of the product is what goes in the testing process. In this manner, unexpected issues can be identified and the product’s flexibility can be properly assessed.
The product’s performance is measured before it is released. If there are issues then they can be properly addressed and thus solved. Through this testing method, the product’s scalability along with the reliability of the product in a real-time environment is also ascertained.
The inferences and hypotheses of the product can be validated in order to certify that it meets the consumer expectations and requirements. The product can be fine-tuned and appropriate planning can be done to further enhance the product quality. The beta test helps in advertising, communicating, positioning, broadcasting and marketing the product appropriately.