Welcome to the Centercode Delta Testing Blog

Discover the best content from Centercode in 2024, including ebooks, blogs, webinars, and more.

How to Build the 2023-24 Boston Celtics of Beta Tester Teams

Guest author Chip Duval compares building a beta tester team to assembling an NBA dream team like the 23–24 Celtics.

How Cisco's Webex Beta Team Triumphs with Beta 2.0

Case Study

Learn how the Webex Beta team transformed their program, driving massive growth in engagement and customer feedback.

Most Recent Posts

3 Research Mistakes Growing Product Teams Keep Making (And How to Fix Them)

Rushing research with paid panels tends to lead to poor insights. Avoid these 3 common mistakes to maintain quality data.

Engaged Tester Panels: The Secret to Reliable, Continuous Feedback

Community Management

Building your own research panel enables continuous insights, helping teams with faster, data-driven product decisions.

Paid Research Panels: Why Quick Feedback Isn’t Always Quality Feedback

Quick research panels offer fast feedback, but at what cost? Learn the impact of paid panels with rapid results.

What Testers Need Before They Even Open Your Beta App

Test Launch

Testers drop off fast if onboarding is unclear. Here’s a checklist to ensure quality feedback can start flowing quickly.

Understanding Google Play Store Testing Tracks

Learn about the differences between Internal, Closed, and Open testing tracks in the Google Play Beta platform.

How Beta Testing Can Drive Go/No-Go Decisions

Beta insights can make or break a launch—learn how to ensure they shape Go/No-Go decisions, not just get buried in reports.

Securing Stakeholder Buy-In for Beta Testing

Program Management

Secure stakeholder buy-in for beta testing with strategies that build trust, prove value, and align with business goals.

Leaders Who Inspire: Lessons for Quality Testing Teams

Leadership lessons from figures like Michelle Obama and Jocko Willink that inspire and elevate quality testing.

Top Beta Testing Insights from This Year's Guest Authors

Beta testing insights from top guest authors, covering empathy, feedback loops, user engagement, and success strategies.

Measuring Survey Success: 5 Key Metrics to Track

Boost your survey success by measuring key metrics that improve participation, engagement, and the quality of responses.

How User Testing Reduces Returns and Builds Trust

Discover how beta testing helps ensure holiday tech buys meet expectations and minimize returns.

10 Key Considerations When Assessing Quality Test Coverage

Get tips on strategic test coverage in quality testing while learning to reduce risks and ensure valuable results.

How to Set Clear Objectives for Surveys in Beta Testing

Boost your beta testing success with survey goals that drive actionable insights and save time.

What CX Teams Need to Know About Beta Testing

CX teams can gain valuable insights from beta testing, enhancing customer support and satisfaction from day one.

5 Strategies to Build a Cross-Functional Quality Mindset

Quality succeeds when shared across teams. Learn five strategies to make quality assurance a collaborative commitment.

How Customer Support Can Benefit from Beta

Involving support in beta testing can transform how your team handles product launches and customer interactions.

Getting Executives to Invest in Test Automation

Securing investment in test automation can be tricky, but with the right strategy, it can lead to faster development and greater stability.

5 Strategies to Align User Testing and UX for Better Products

Learn five key strategies that align UX and user testing to create seamless, user-loved products without friction.

4 Key User Test Scenarios Where Video Feedback Unlocks Critical Insights

Learn how video feedback uncovers key insights in 4 user testing scenarios, revealing what written reports miss.

Elevating QA: The Metrics That Truly Define Quality

Test coverage alone doesn’t ensure quality. Learn how risk-based testing and user-focused metrics deliver better results.

Choosing the Best Way to Collect Beta Feedback

Learn how to choose the ideal feedback methods for your beta test activities to capture impactful insights.

Tips for Balancing Executive Opinions and Beta Results

Navigate executive opinions and beta test data to make smarter product decisions that balance vision with user feedback.

Why Beta Results Need Another Look After Launch

Guest author Alissa Hart shares the reasons why you need to compare your beta results with post-launch product data.

10 Ways Quality Teams Use AI to Enhance Testing

We talked to QA leaders and here's how their teams are using AI to enhance their productivity and reach.

Avoiding Service Disruptions With QA Best Practices

Industry News

QA best practices are crucial for preventing service disruptions that impact essential operations and user experience.

Empathy: My Secret Weapon in Beta

Dylan at Nanit shares how empathy has transformed his beta testing, enhancing user satisfaction and reducing friction.

Centercode's Spring Triumph: 16 Awards in G2 2024 Reports

Centercode shines in the G2 Spring 2024 reports, winning 16 awards for its exceptional user testing solutions and customer support.

Harnessing Micro Assumptions for Agile Product Development

Alexa explores the good and the bad of micro assumptions. Learn how they can be a guide to swift decisions and innovation.

Balancing Speed and Quality: The MiniJam Experience

Discover Centercode's MiniJam—where developers race against time, balancing speed with quality in a day-long coding challenge.

Engage, Exchange, Excel: Peek Inside Our Latest User Group

Revisit the best moments from Centercode's latest user group featuring special guests from Corsair and Bose.

Winning Over Product Managers for Better Betas

Discover how Myriam at Collibra transformed PMs into advocates for effective beta testing.

Subtle Shifts, Major Milestones: Centercode's Email Evolution

Go behind-the-scenes of our major email overhaul and get the inside scoop from the developers who worked on the project.

6 Reasons Continuous Testing is Vital in Wearable Technology

Explore how continuous testing, vital for wearable tech, ensures quality, reduces costs, and speeds up development.

How Customer Support Prepared Me to Lead in Beta

How Alex Larsen's hectic support tech days gave him beta test management superpowers.

Gamifying Software Development with Centercode's DevJam

See how we transformed a disparate set of backlog items into 133 user delights in 3 days with gamified innovation.

From Labs to Launch: The Journey of Google's Duet AI

Industry News

We're exploring Google's progressively expanding beta test for Duet AI and their approach to beta testing.

Centercode Shines With 17 Awards in G2 Winter '24 Reports

Unveil Centercode's G2 Winter 2024 triumph: 17 badges highlighting our impact on beta testing and tech innovation.

Your Year Ahead User Research Checklist

Being proactive is easier than being reactive. Check out these questions & tips to make user research a breeze next year.

Three Factors for Finding the Right Beta Test Length

Learn to balance deadlines, goals, and resources for optimal test length and impactful results.

Tips For Beta Testing Fitness Wearable Battery Life

Explore crucial considerations for beta testing the battery life of fitness wearables.

How Wearables Testing Shapes Success

Explore why beta testing is vital in turning wearable concepts into market-ready, trusted health devices.

How Appian's Beta Builds Stronger Team Partnerships

Appian's Elizabeth Hall showcases how to build stronger partnerships through beta testing.

A New Way to Inspire and Celebrate Testing

Chatting with Brad Day about Centercode's new Test Infographic, we dive into its inspiration, beta feedback, and evolution.

Leveraging Centercode's Integrations at Intel

Case Study

Intel's Jake Francis shares how using Centercode's integrations supercharged his beta program.

How Final Draft Evolved Their Beta Program

Pete D'Alessandro from Cast & Crew breaks down how he elevated his beta program with Centercode.

5 Ways to Secure Your Role With User Testing

Events

Read up on Centercode's event and discover 5 ways user testing can cement your role amidst economic shifts.

Celebrating Milestones: The Unseen Value in Beta Testing

Program Management

Exploring the importance of celebrating success and visualizing milestones in the beta testing journey.

How to Optimize Beta Tests with Lindsay Brown at Square

Lindsay Brown @ Square breaks down what you need to optimize your beta tests for maximum results.

Networking & Collaboration at Centercode

Dive into Centercode's Networking Roadshow and the power of collaboration in user testing!

What Are The Different Types of Customer Feedback?

Explore the four types of customer feedback and using them to enhance your product and build brand loyalty.

Why Is Beta Testing Done?

Explore why beta testing is essential for product validation and how it's evolving to fit agile development cycles.

What Is Fishfooding?

Dive into fishfooding to learn the ins and outs of a narrower approach to traditional "dogfooding".

Why Defect Density Isn't Enough to Measure Quality

Defect density offers a view into product quality, however, it lacks context and details. Delta testing can help.

What is the Cost of Quality?

Discover the importance of Cost of Quality and how calculating the four quality costs influences customer satisfaction.

Who Performs Beta Testing?

Who performs beta testing? End users test the product, providing valuable feedback to enhance the product experience.

Field Testing vs. Beta Testing: What's the Difference?

Find out about the key differences between field testing and beta testing, and learn about the unique benefits of each.

What Is The Value of Beta Testers?

Beta testers not only improve products but also act as advocates, making them valuable even after launch.

Fishfooding vs. Dogfooding: What's The Difference?

Dive into employee-driven testing methods, fishfooding and dogfooding, and their impact on product success.

What Are The Advantages of Beta Testing?

Beta testing drives product success and customer satisfaction. Discover the advantages and benefits of beta.

What Comes After Beta Testing?

Journey beyond beta testing: explore public beta testing and the limited-release phase in software development.

What Comes Before Beta Testing?

Unearth the key to stabilizing software and streamlining beta releases - find out what comes before beta testing.

Is Beta Testing The Same As UAT?

Beta testing and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) share some similarities, but diverge when it comes to method.

User Acceptance Testing vs. Beta Testing: What's The Difference?

Discover the distinctions between UAT and beta and choose the right type for your user test.

Private Beta vs. Public Beta Testing

Explore the nuances of private and public beta testing to optimize software development and achieve success.

Real-Time Product Feedback: Centercode's Slack Integration

Centercode's Slack integration delivers real-time beta feedback to one of the most popular messaging apps for business.

Jedi vs Sith: Mastering Beta Testing with Star Wars Wisdom

On May the Fourth, discover the do's and don'ts of effective beta test management by embracing the wisdom of the Jedi philosophy while avoiding the pitfalls of the Sith mentality in this specially themed post for Star Wars Day.

How to Find Product Market Fit and 8 Ways to Test It

Achieving product market fit is crucial for business success. Discover a 4-step process to find and determine product market fit and explore 8 simple ways to test and validate it throughout the development life cycle. By understanding your target customers and validating your product or service, you can drive business growth and stay ahead of the competition.

What Is A Software Beta Version?

Discover the pivotal role beta versions play in software development and their impact on the final product. Learn about the importance of beta testing, its place in the software release life cycle, and uncover the differences between alpha and beta versions.

How to Write a New Product Launch Blog

We defined what a product launch blog is, and why it's important. We also provided a step-by-step guide on how to write a product launch blog post, including defining your goals, identifying your target audience, determining your key message, and including social proof.

The Ultimate Guide to a Successful New Product Launch

We outlined the key stages of a successful product launch, emphasizing the importance of planning, execution, and continuous engagement. We shared essential tools, best practices, and strategic insights to guide you through the launch process.

11 Easy Ways to Gather Customer Feedback

Discover 11 effective ways to gather customer feedback and improve your products and services with this comprehensive guide.

Top Five Ways You Can Grow Your Beta Program

Program Management

Check out these top 5 tips from Centercode on how to grow your beta program and prove its value to stakeholders. Plus, hear from product testing expert Alex Larsen on the Delta Huddle Podcast.

The Ultimate Guide to Beta Testers: Everything You Need to Know

Have a question about beta testers? This guide will answer the most frequently asked questions about beta testers and about being a tester, while also providing tips and best practices from decades of beta testing experience along the way.

The Definitive Guide to User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

This definitive guide to user acceptance testing (UAT) is a comprehensive resource that covers everything you need to know about planning, conducting, and managing a successful UAT.

How Stakeholders are Involved in Beta Tests

Assembling the right management team for a beta is a fundamental step to a successful test. The stakeholder team is responsible for managing and coordinating the beta test, gathering and analyzing feedback from beta testers, and working with the development team to address any issues that are identified.

4 Beta Testing Examples from Well-known Companies

Discover how world-renowned companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple use beta testing to refine their products and better understand their target audience. Explore four real-world beta testing examples showcasing the power of beta testing to drive innovation and improve the user experience.

The Twisted Definition of "Beta" in Gaming

Industry News

With the Diablo IV beta weekends top of mind, we explore the debate surrounding the changing definition of "beta testing" in the gaming industry and the importance of transparency between developers, publishers, and players to rebuild trust and maintain the value of beta testing.

How to Submit Your App to the Google Play Store for Beta Testing

Learn the essentials of Google Play Store app publishing & maximize your app's success with our expert tips on descriptions, screenshots, & more

A Complete Guide to Creating a Product Proof of Concept

Discover how to create a successful proof of concept for your product idea, including types of POCs, testing methods, and common challenges.

The 8 Best Product Management Apps in 2023

Explore the top 8 product management apps of 2023 to optimize collaboration, streamline processes, and make data-driven decisions, all within one comprehensive guide for your product development success.

6 Must-Have Components of a Beta Test Workspace

Discover the six essential components of an effective beta test workspace that fosters tester engagement, streamlines feedback management, and ultimately enhances your product's market readiness.

6 QA Best Practices for Modern Tech Companies

With reduced resources, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of QA processes is more important than ever. To help you out, here are six best practices for quality assurance that you can use to continue meeting the high standards of your team and your customers even as a team of one.

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

Learn the key differences and similarities between Quality Assurance (QA) vs Quality Control (QC), and how to implement effective processes to manage quality.

Democratizing User Testing

Centercode introduces new editions for companies building a product regardless of structure and scale.

7 Tips to Enhance Your QA Environment Remotely

Learn how to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of your QA environments with this blog.

Prioritizing Feedback Using the MoSCoW Framework

Learn how to prioritize beta test feedback using this data-driven method to categorize feedback into four categories: Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, Would Have. Improve communication, save time and resources, and make better decisions with the MoSCoW Framework.

The Magic of Beta Test Automation

Unlock the magic of beta testing automation and optimize your process as a product manager. Beta test automation can help you streamline your workflows and free up more time for product strategy and innovation.

How Product Leaders Challenge the Status Quo and Deliver Better Products

As a product manager or product management executive, you're always looking for ways to drive better results and improve your products. In your continuous search to improve, have you considered whether you’re leveraging the full potential of beta testing? According to Centercode's 2022 industry report, 7 out of 10 companies say beta testing is the most effective way to improve products.

Best Practices for Beta Test Reporting (with Template!)

Template

When reporting on a beta test, it can be challenging to make sense of the data and difficult to know what information to report on or take action on. By following best practices for beta test reporting and using standardized templates, you can ensure that you're gathering the information you need to make informed decisions and improve your product.

Customer Loyalty Insights from Early Adopters

It's no secret that customer loyalty is crucial for any business. Not only is it more cost-effective to retain existing customers, but loyal customers also tend to spend more and recommend your company to others.

9 Product Quality Metrics to Improve with Beta Testing

One way to measure and improve the quality of your products is by tracking relevant product quality metrics during development.

4 Ways Beta Testing Can Boost User Satisfaction

If you want to retain more customers and keep them away from choosing your competitors, it’s essential to keep customer satisfaction high.

How to Screen Beta Test Applicants to Maximize the Value of Your User Test

By taking the time to properly screen applicants and build a strong recruitment strategy around your test goals, you can not only ensure the success of your beta test, but also maximize the overall value and usefulness of your product.

Maximize Beta Tester Engagement with Strong Communication (with Examples!)

Template

Effective communication is crucial for the success of any beta test. If you’re stuck or just want some best practices, dive into these tips and examples to help you write the best weekly announcement emails your beta testers have ever read.

Why Recruiting More Beta Testers Than Needed Is a Smart Move

By recruiting more applicants than needed, you can increase the response rate, ensure better representation, provide flexibility, and gather extra feedback.

Incentivizing Beta Testers to Improve Participation and Feedback Quality

Incentivizing beta testers can not only increase the number of participants, but also the quality and depth of their feedback.

How Leveraging Brand Evangelists Can Supercharge Your Beta Test

By including brand evangelists in your beta tests, you’re boosting the impact of your projects while strengthening the bonds with your community. But what is a brand evangelist? And how can you recruit them into your tests?

8 Key Characteristics to Look for When Recruiting Beta Testers