TESTQUAL: Conceptualizing Software Testing as a Service

Abstract

Software testing has emerged as a distinct and critical component in software development. This paper argues that software testing should be conceptualized as a concurrent service throughout the software development process rather than being viewed as a sequential line of responsibility. Testing as a service has two key aspects: (1) a service to developers, and (2) a service to end users. This paper draws from the service quality and SERVQUAL literature to propose a structured measurement tool for testing as a service. Software quality is the most prominent outcome for TESTQUAL. The potential antecedents and outcomes of TESTQUAL are briefly discussed. The implications to research and practice of TESTQUAL are also discussed.