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Beta Testing Tips
Software developers spend vast amounts of time
creating a great application, but often seem to
stumble when it comes to conducting proper beta
testing. Follow these simple steps to help insure
that the launch of a new product will be as smooth
as it can be...
Do Not Rush It!
Beta testing takes time. An application cannot
be properly tested in just a few days, or sometimes
even weeks. If you cut your beta testing phases
short in an effort to get to market quicker, you
risk alienating your paying customers by unintentionally
using them as "unknowing" beta testers. The beta
testing process is time consuming, and patience
is required for an effective beta test.
Stages
Consider staggering beta releases to segmented
groups of testers. For example, provide one beta
release to one group of testers, and then provide
a subsequent beta release to a different group
of testers. Keep in mind that beta testers burn
out quickly, and by dividing the testing between
two groups, your responses will likely increase.
Incentives
Provide testers with incentives to communicate
and provide feedback. Beta testers that provide
comprehensive feedback will often welcome, and
expect, a complimentary release copy. Reward your
beta testers and they will become evangelists!
Communicate
Set up a reliable system to communicate with beta
testers. Use forums, RSS feeds, a special email
address, etc. Make it as easy as possible for
testers to communicate with you.
Fix
Be prepared to work long hours to immediately
rectify any bugs found. Beta testers will lose
interest if fixes take too long.
Do Not Assume
Just because you do not receive any feedback,
do not assume all the testing went well. Beta
testers have personal lives too, and it's possible
they have simply haven't had the free time to
spend with the beta release yet. Another possibility
is that the test went so horribly bad that they
simply gave up.
Feedback
At every stage of testing, request user feedback.
Make your testing team a part of the process.
By letting them feel that their comments are helpful,
they will be more willing to provide you with
their comments and suggestions.
Recreate
Take every comment seriously, and make every attempt
to recreate problems that are reported. If a beta
tester experiences issues, chances are that a
portion of potential customers will experience
the same issues unless you can get to the root
of the problem and resolve it. Ask very specific
questions, and be prepared to test on various
operating systems and under a variety of conditions.
Related Articles:
How
to Recreate Customer Problems
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Beta Testing Tips