Good Testing Begins Long Before the First Line of Code Enters the Repository

Clearly, testing begins long before the first line of code is committed to the repository.

When people hear the term ‘QA,’ they often find themselves testing buttons, writing test runs, or carrying out automation tasks like those performed by developers.

In fact, testing begins much earlier than when the code appears.

QA is not just a final control point in the current product development process; it plays an integral role in shaping the product long before developers release their IDEs. At Swan Software Solutions, we have learned through experience that incorporating QA from the outset saves time, mitigates risks, and helps implement functions that effectively capture the imagination of users, not only from a technical point of view, but also for real users.

But let’s take a closer look at why effective testing begins before the first quarter.

Understanding: where does quality really begin?

A software project starts with an idea and then translates that idea into a structure, exploring the possibilities and complex tasks involved. This is where the role of QA becomes even more important.

When the quality control department is ready to participate in the analysis, their task is to ask the right questions.

• What if the user doesn’t complete the process? 

• Will the system handle cases where external services fail? 

• Is this behavior consistent with the rest of the product? 

• What edge cases has the business not yet considered?

Such questions reveal hidden assumptions and remove uncertainty. They prevent developers from creating something that is technically “correct” but not what the customer wanted or needed.

The sooner clarity is achieved, the smoother the entire development cycle will be.

Acceptance Criteria: Turning Ideas into Specific Expectations

Acceptance criteria are like a common language between the client, project manager, developers, and QA. If acceptance criteria are vague, teams rely on their own interpretations, and each person interprets things differently.

QA helps translate desired behavior into testable and measurable items, including:

• overall UX behavior

• expected system responses

• input validation

• edge cases

• states and error messages

This helps ensure that everyone understands exactly what “done” means.

Good acceptance criteria reduce misunderstandings. Great acceptance criteria eliminate them.

Risk analysis: solving problems.

In this regard, the most underrated QA skill is undoubtedly risk analysis. Even before writing the first line of QA code, it is possible to determine where problems are most likely to arise.

Types of vestments include:

– folding streams with a large number of deposits.

– Integration with third-party APIs.

– unclear UX or high intensity of interaction;

– areas of the system with essential technical equipment;

– functions relating to critical business indicators.

By identifying risks early, the team can more effectively prioritize, plan additional security measures, and avoid costly rework in the future. 

Early involvement of quality control professionals transforms testing from a reactive process to a proactive strategy

Design Review and UX Approval: Yes, QA also reviews the design. 

Why? This is the earliest point where UX inconsistencies, unclear logic, or some missing states can be detected. It is much cheaper to fix a Figma file than to rework UI components over two sprints.

Here are some of the most common issues identified during early QA design reviews:

• No empty, error, or loading states;

• Unclear or misleading microcopy;

• Inconsistent button behavior;

• Flows that are too long or confusing;

• Unavailable or unintuitive interactions.

When a QA department reviews a design before development begins, developers get clearer requirements and users get a smoother experience.

Planning Tests Before Development

Once the requirements and AC are clear, QA begins to outline:

 • test scenarios 

• test data requirements 

• automation opportunities 

• performance risks 

• interdependencies between features.

This preparation speeds up the actual testing phase and helps developers understand what their code is supposed to handle.

 Planning testing before development begins is not “extra work”—it’s the foundation of an efficient and predictable implementation.

Why it’s important to start early – real benefits for the team 

Early QA engagement has a powerful impact on the entire team: 

✔️Fewer misunderstandings 

Clearer requirements means less rework and fewer surprises. 

✔️ Improved collaboration 

Designers, project managers, developers, and QA professionals speak the same language.

✔️ Faster delivery 

Less time spent fixing avoidable bugs. 

✔️  Higher product quality

 Potential bugs and UX flaws are not only detected, but prevented. 

✔️ More predictable releases

Teams can plan with more confidence when risks are understood early on. 

In other words, the earlier quality assurance professionals are involved in the discussion, the smoother the rest of the process will go.

Final Thoughts

 High-quality software isn’t built in the testing phase; it’s built through focused collaboration from the beginning. QA provides clarity and reduces risk by ensuring alignment between business goals and user needs throughout the development cycle.

At Swan Software Solutions, we believe true quality starts long before development begins. That’s why our teams involve QA from day one to ensure reliable, thoughtful, user-centric products for every customer. TO find out more about how our team can help your team with high-quality software, QA services, or other technology needs, contact us to schedule a free assessment.