Crowdsourced testing is a testing approach that involves leveraging a diverse and distributed community of testers to perform testing activities. This can be a great way to get feedback on your software from a wide range of users, and to find bugs that you might not have found on your own.
In this post, we will discuss the basics of crowdsourced testing, and how you can get started with it. I will also provide some tips for choosing a crowdsourced testing platform, and for managing your crowdsourced testing projects.
What is crowdsourced testing?
Crowdsourced testing is a type of manual testing that is performed by a community of testers. These testers can be from all over the world, and they can have a variety of skills and experience levels.
Crowdsourced testing can be used to test a wide range of software, including web applications, mobile apps, and desktop software. It can also be used to test a variety of features, including usability, functionality, and performance.
Benefits of crowdsourced testing:
There are many benefits to using crowdsourced testing. Some of the most common benefits include.
- Faster Feedback: Crowdsourced testers can provide feedback on your software much faster than in-house testers. This is because they can test your software from all over the world, and they can work around the clock.
- Wider range of users: Crowdsourced testers represent a wider range of users than in-house testers. This means that you are more likely to find bugs that would only be found by users with specific needs or devices.
- Cost-effective: Crowdsourced testing can be a cost-effective way to test your software. This is because you are only paying for the tests that are actually performed
How to get started with crowdsourced testing:
There are a few things you need to do to get started with crowdsourced testing:
- Choose a crowdsourced testing platform. There are many different crowdsourced testing platforms available, so you need to choose one that is right for your needs.
- Create a test plan. A test plan will help you to define the scope of your crowdsourced testing project, and to set expectations for the testers.
- Distribute the tests to the testers. Once you have created a test plan, you need to distribute the tests to the testers.
- Collect the feedback. Once the testers have completed the tests, you need to collect their feedback.
- Analyze the feedback. Once you have collected the feedback, you need to analyze it to identify any bugs or issues.
Tips for choosing a crowdsourced testing platform:
When choosing a crowdsourced testing platform, there are a few things you need to consider:
- The cost of the platform: Crowdsourced testing platforms can vary in price, so you need to choose one that fits your budget.
- The features of the platform: Some crowdsourced testing platforms offer more features than others. You need to choose a platform that has the features you need.
- The reputation of the platform: You should choose a crowdsourced testing platform that has a good reputation. This will help to ensure that you get quality feedback from the testers.
Tips for managing your crowdsourced testing projects:
Once you have chosen a crowdsourced testing platform, you need to manage your crowdsourced testing projects effectively. Here are a few tips for managing your crowdsourced testing projects:
- Set clear expectations: You need to set clear expectations for the testers. This includes the scope of the project, the deadlines, and the quality of the feedback.
- Communicate regularly: You need to communicate regularly with the testers. This will help to ensure that the project is on track, and that the testers have the information they need.
- Provide feedback: You need to provide feedback to the testers. This will help to improve the quality of the feedback, and to motivate the testers.
Conclusion:
Crowdsourced testing can be a great way to get feedback on your software from a wide range of users. It can also be a cost-effective way to test your software. If you are considering using crowdsourced testing, I encourage you to follow the tips in this post.
I hope this helps!
