Teams working on early-stage products often need just enough QA to catch issues but don't want the commitment of a full-time QA resource. As we spoke with startups, we realized they were wary about dedicated QA slowing them down in the early stages. But we also continually heard the need for lightweight testing before releases. So, we created this QA service. Essential Service is ideal for startups looking for lightweight, fractional QA support to streamline release testing. If you're looking for a quick QA pass before releases, read on.
We have been dedicated to testing at startups since 2013. While many testing service providers avoid early-stage products due to their low volume and diverse technical demands, Qxf2 has strategically embraced and excelled in this niche. Our expertise has made us a trusted QA partner for numerous startups. Over the years, we've continuously adapted and innovated to meet the evolving needs of the startup market. This Essential Service offering is our response to a frequently cited need among startups—one that is largely unmet in the market today.
Our Essential Service combines exploratory testing, automated test suites, a robust test automation framework and startup-focused QA solutions at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time QA. This low-overhead service provides everything early-stage products need for effective testing. We provide the right balance of testing depth, collaboration, and timing to ensure your product gets the necessary attention.
| ✔ Bi-weekly release support | ✔ Exploratory testing | ✔ Automated core test suite |
| ✔ ACC model | ✔ Testability guidance | ✔ Test automation framework |
| ✔ Continuous Integration | ✔ Synthetic data | ✔ Framework training |
Table 1. Some of the many benefits you get with our Essential Service
Qxf2 provides biweekly support for your release testing, combining exploratory testing with UI and API automation. You'll receive a robust, feature-rich and battle-tested test automation framework that typically takes several man-months to build. We will also provide an automated core test suite. We add the tests to your CI pipeline, giving your team full access and control. Your developers will have a clear path to start contributing to test automation. Senior QA engineers will be involved in the early stages to make the right testing choices for your team. If needed, we create synthetic data for repeatable tests, and provide human oversight for tests that are hard to automate.
I approached Qxf2 when our manual testing process could not keep up with our agile development and biweekly releases of our SaaS application. Avinash was assigned to understand, suggest and implement an automated test suite which our team could build upon. In two weeks Avinash with his offshore team was able to understand the loop holes in our test process, able to suggest tools to make our process better and implemented an automated end-to-end test suite in Python Selenium with pretty much no management overhead.
Prashanth Shenoy Katpady, CTO @ UniCourt
Our fractional QA service provides early-stage products with exploratory testing, synthetic data creation, and CI-integrated automated tests. Qxf2 uses multiple folks upfront to quickly arrive at an automated core test suite. That way, your team benefits quickly. We use proven methods to engage your team with the tests, empowering your developers to contribute effectively. And like you might have guessed, we have figured out a couple of ways to automate the test automation.
Our work unfolds in three stages: Discovery, Ramp-up, and Steady State. We start with an exploratory phase, diving deep into your product to identify critical areas for testing. This is followed by an intensive implementation phase, where we work with you to define and automate a core test suite. Once the essential tests are in place, we transition into a maintenance phase, where we periodically update and occasionally expand the tests as your product evolves.
Aside: We first provided periodic QA support in 2017 as a favour to a long-standing client, Latinum Network (Collage Group). At the time, we weren't ready to scale this service. Since then, we've evolved, introducing unique organisational flexibility and even automating the automation process. When you speak with us, ask how we automated the automation.
Since most in the software world are accustomed to full-time, dedicated QA models, we feel it's important to clarify: This is NOT a dedicated tester role. Unlike traditional full-time QA hires, our service is designed to provide periodic, targeted testing for startups. There's no ticket testing, no embedded integration within your team, and advanced automation. Instead, you get a team of QA experts working intensively at the start to deliver an automated core test suite. Over time, we shift to relying mainly on automation and biweekly exploratory checks to support ongoing releases.
We start with a short feasibility check that usually involves us talking to your engineering leadership for about an hour. If things go well, up to two senior Qxf2 engineers will coordinate with your development and product teams. After the ramp-up phase, this reduces to one senior engineer. In the steady state, the senior engineer will hold weekly meetings to discuss updates to the regression suite, plan exploratory testing, and coordinate timelines. This part-time QA service ensures your team gets the right level of testing support without the commitment of full-time resources.
1. Discovery: We conduct exploratory testing to uncover potential issues and file bugs. We then create an ACC model to snapshot our current estimate of product quality. Collaboratively, we work with your team to identify a core test suite that aligns with your product's needs. Our involvement in this phase is a key differentiator from other similar services which expect you to define and prioritize what tests are needed.
2. Ramp-up: We generate synthetic data and automate the core test suite using our framework, integrating it into your CI pipeline. Additionally, we create exercises to help your developers gradually get comfortable with the framework and encourage active engagement with the tests. Unlike other services, we provide you with full access to the test code, allowing your team to have complete control and transparency.
3. Steady state: A key part of this phase is our biweekly release support, which includes conducting exploratory tests and providing human assistance for tests that are difficult to automate. Your team continues to work weekly with a senior QA engineer to plan release tests and communicate testing needs and problems. We focus on test upkeep and add new tests based on the senior QA engineer's discretion. A well-executed ramp-up reduces the need for our time later, so we focus on doing it right.
As a client services team member at a small startup software company, Qxf2 provided a much needed QA role for our team. Prior to having Arun and the Qxf2 team work with us, we did not have a formal QA process. Their ability to help us in client services understand the process and plan for deploys to our platform was critical to our continued success. We quickly went from regular post deploy bug fixes with emergency deploys to an environment where they have become extremely rare! I highly recommend the team at Qxf2 for a job well done, and commitment to excellence.
Katie Stauffer, Senior Manager, Client Services @ Pascal Metrics
Throughout the engagement, we provide key artifacts including the ACC model, mind maps, and a robust regression suite. Our deliverables also include automated UI and API tests, synthetic data, CI integration, bug reports, and documentation. Additionally, we offer hands-on brown bag sessions on our test automation framework to enable developers to own the test automation. You will receive quarterly executive updates to ensure alignment and transparency.
I'm Arun, founder of Qxf2 and a QA engineer with extensive experience leading quality efforts. The idea for this service stems from work we did in 2015 with one of our long-term clients—Secure Code Warrior. We began by providing fractional QA support when they were still pre-revenue, and we watched them scale over the years to a nine-figure success. This experience showed me the immense value of offering flexible QA solutions for small teams that can't afford full-time QA.
I'm genuinely excited to share this unique offering. With expert exploratory testing, an automated test suite, and a robust framework—all rolled into one service—I believe we've created something truly valuable for early-stage teams.
Qxf2 was a great partner for our testing needs. Arun's experience onsite with clients in the US means that he understands how software gets built and how to effectively test it. When using an offshore team it's critical for the team to be managed by someone who has this understanding. The whole team made the effort to understand our product, which is key to developing a test strategy and then executing on it. Every member of the team we worked with was smart and dedicated, and we were able to rely on them to go beyond just getting their job done. I couldn't be happier with the experience we had with Qxf2!
Adam Hahn, Director of Engineering @ Pascal Metrics
Are you working on an early-stage product and interested in using this service? Or curious about how we evolve as you grow? Just write to Arun ([email protected]) or drop a note . We pride ourselves on being engineering-led, not sales-driven. So, your inquiry will be met with expertise and honesty.
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