QA is Your Secret Product Weapon

Remember when QA was that team at the end of the development process that everyone dreaded?

They were the ones who would inevitably find problems right before release, causing delays and frustration.

Well, those days are long gone.

In today’s episode of Product Driven, I sat down with Jay Eigner, founder and CEO of JDA QA and Philadelphia's go-to QA expert. Jay shared fascinating insights about how QA has transformed from being a final checkpoint into a crucial driver of product success.

🎥 Want the full story? with Jay about modern QA practices. Learn how leading companies are leveraging QA to build better products faster and with fewer defects. Watch the full video on the Product Driven YouTube Channel.

The Evolution of QA's Role

Quality Assurance used to be treated like the last inspection point on an assembly line. Developers would build features, throw them over the wall, and hope for the best.

"Would I trust that I want to hand off software to a client that's only been tested by the development team? I would say probably not," Jay explained during our conversation. This perspective highlights a crucial point: effective QA requires a dedicated focus that goes beyond what developers can provide.

The most successful product teams today are integrating QA from day one.

The Product Expert in Disguise

Your QA team should be among your most knowledgeable product experts. At Stackify, I saw firsthand how QA teams often understand the product better than anyone else in the organization.

"Having somebody who's representing the customer and has seen the platform and probably knows it better than just about anybody else, it would be a wasted resource not to use them as early as possible," Jay points out. This deep product knowledge allows QA teams to spot potential issues before they become problems.

Early involvement is the key to maximizing QA's value.

Breaking Down the Walls

Modern QA isn't about finding bugs – it's about preventing them. This shift requires breaking down traditional organizational barriers.

In my experience working with development teams worldwide, I've found that the best results come when QA is treated as an equal partner in the product development process. They should be in planning meetings, contributing to feature discussions, and helping shape the product roadmap.

Communication is the foundation of effective QA integration.

The Automation Balance

While automation tools have revolutionized testing, they haven't eliminated the need for manual QA. In fact, they've made human expertise even more valuable.

"Never in a million years," Jay responded when I asked if manual testing was going away. "Human context is really important and intent." The key is finding the right balance between automated efficiency and human insight.

Technology enhances QA capabilities but doesn't replace human judgment.

The Impact on Product Quality

When QA is properly integrated into your product development process, the results are dramatic. You'll see:

• Faster development cycles

• Fewer post-release issues

• More confident deployments

• Better alignment with customer needs

• Reduced development costs

Success comes from treating QA as a strategic partner rather than a tactical resource.

Remember, in today's fast-paced development environment, quality can't be an afterthought. It needs to be woven into every stage of your product development process. By elevating the role of QA and integrating it earlier, you're not just catching bugs – you're building a better product from the ground up.

When was the last time you evaluated the role of QA in your development process?