In many product development projects, test is treated as something that can be added later. Often, near the end when the design is already fixed, and schedules are tight. This approach frequently leads to higher costs, delays, and solutions that are difficult to scale for production.
Defining a clear test strategy early in the product development process enables better technical decisions, reduces risk, and creates a more predictable path from prototype to production.
Test is not something that comes at the end
Test is often associated with verification and final approval. In reality, test is a decision support tool throughout the entire development process. Early test considerations influence architecture, component selection, interfaces, and software structure.
When a test is postponed, teams often discover too late that:
- Key signals are not accessible
- Interfaces are poorly defined
- Test coverage becomes complex and expensive
These issues often require redesign of both electronics and test hardware, including custom test fixtures.
What should be clarified early
An early test strategy does not require all details to be finalized, but several questions should be addressed early:
- What quality level is required, and how will it be verified?
- What production volumes are expected?
- What data must be collected and stored?
- How will the solution scale from prototype to series production?
Answering these questions early helps guide both technical and commercial decisions.
Scaling efficiently typically requires a flexible test platform that can evolve from development to production.
When involving an external partner adds value
In many cases, involving an external test and development partner early provides an objective view and practical experience from similar projects. This often helps avoid over-engineering, under-testing, or solutions that do not scale.
At Virinco, we work closely with product owners and engineering teams to define test strategies that support the full product lifecycle – from early development to stable production.
Conclusion
A well‑defined test strategy early in the product development process reduces risk, improves decision‑making, and shortens the path to production. Test should not be treated as a final step, but as an integrated part of engineering from day one.
