Bridging the Gap: Aligning QA & Development for Faster Results

In software development, speed and quality often feel like opposing forces. Developers push to release features quickly, while QA teams work to catch bugs and uphold user expectations. This natural friction can lead to delays, miscommunication, and frustration. But what if speed and quality weren’t at odds? By aligning QA and development teams, you can streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and accelerate releases—without compromising excellence.

At Mantis EVN, we’ve seen firsthand how a collaborative approach between QA and development transforms workflows and delivers faster, more reliable results. Here’s how you can achieve this alignment in your organization.

1. Foster a Culture of Collaboration

The first step in bridging the gap is breaking down silos. QA and development teams should view each other as partners working toward a common goal: delivering value to the end user. Encourage open communication through regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and shared tools. When teams understand each other’s priorities and challenges, they can better support one another.

Pro Tip: Introduce cross-functional teams where QA engineers are embedded in development teams. This fosters mutual understanding and reduces the “us vs. them” mentality.

2. Shift Left Testing

The earlier QA is involved in the development process, the better. Shift left testing integrates quality assurance from the very beginning of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This means QA participates in requirements gathering, design reviews, and early-stage development, identifying potential issues before they become costly problems.

Example: By reviewing user stories and test cases during the planning phase, QA can highlight ambiguities and edge cases that might otherwise be overlooked.

3. Automate Where It Matters

Automation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical tool for speeding up repetitive tasks and freeing up your QA team to focus on exploratory and edge-case testing. Collaborate with developers to create a robust test automation suite that runs as part of your CI/CD pipeline. This ensures bugs are caught early and frequently.

Key Areas for Automation:

  • Unit testing
  • Integration testing
  • Regression testing

4. Adopt a Shared Definition of Done

One of the most common sources of friction between QA and development is differing interpretations of what “done” means. Establish a shared definition of done that includes not just code completion but also passing all relevant tests, meeting performance benchmarks, and addressing security concerns.

Checklist for Done:

  • Code reviewed and approved
  • Automated tests passed
  • Manual QA tests completed
  • No high-priority bugs remaining

5. Leverage Metrics for Continuous Improvement

Data can be a powerful ally in aligning teams. Use metrics to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and celebrate successes. Key performance indicators (KPIs) like defect escape rate, test coverage, and cycle time provide valuable insights into how well QA and development are working together.

6. Invest in the Right Tools

The tools you use can either bridge the gap or widen it. Opt for integrated platforms that allow seamless communication and collaboration between QA and development. Tools like Jira, TestRail, and GitHub Actions enable teams to stay aligned and work efficiently. Discover some of the favorite QA tools used by Mantis EVN QA engineers.

The Mantis EVN Advantage

At Mantis EVN, we specialize in creating synergy between QA and development teams. Our streamlined QA services identify gaps in your processes and offer actionable recommendations to enhance collaboration and efficiency. Whether you’re struggling with misaligned priorities or inefficient workflows, we’re here to help you achieve faster, higher-quality results.

Final thoughts

Aligning QA and development isn’t just about improving processes; it’s about building a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared success. By fostering open communication, adopting modern practices like shift left testing and automation, and leveraging the right tools, your teams can deliver exceptional results faster than ever.

Ready to bridge the gap? Contact Mantis EVN today and take the first step toward seamless QA and development alignment.