The Evolution of Quality Assurance in Test Engineering: Beyond Bugs

Quality Assurance (QA) has been a fundamental pillar in test engineering since its inception. While QA is commonly associated with simply detecting software errors, its scope today goes far beyond that, especially in high-demand sectors such as automotive, defense, and aerospace.

At EIIT – a Controlar company, where we specialize in electronic board testing and automation of production processes, QA is a critical factor that directly impacts the reliability and safety of electronic systems. Below, we explore the evolution of quality in the field of testing and its impact on the industry, relating it to our experience at EIIT.

The term “bug”, used to refer to a software error, originates from a 1947 incident when engineers found a moth inside the relay of the Mark II computer, causing a system failure. While today’s software errors are digital rather than physical, test engineering still faces issues caused by unexpected factors, such as electromagnetic interference, assembly errors, or defects in electronic components.

At EIIT – a Controlar company, when developing test systems for electronic boards, we encounter defects that are not only software-related but also influenced by physical variables such as faulty connections, thermal issues, or soldering failures. Therefore, our methodology not only evaluates the test control software but also conducts structural and functional verifications on the hardware.

Historically, quality was verified at the end of the production process, when the product was already finished. However, modern QA approaches focus on prevention, ensuring that defects are identified and corrected before the product reaches the market.

In the electronic board testing industry, this shift has been crucial. At EIIT, we implement in-line testing and automated test strategies, enabling early detection of errors during the board assembly process. This not only reduces the cost of correcting errors in later stages but also improves traceability and product reliability, especially in safety-critical sectors like aerospace and defense.

While coding is essential for software development and embedded systems, in many cases, testing has an even greater impact on the end-user experience. A functional but poorly tested code can cause unpredictable failures, affecting everything from medical devices to industrial control systems.

At EIIT, we work with advanced functional and structural tests, ensuring that an electronic board not only operates but also behaves correctly under extreme conditions. This involves techniques such as:

• In-Circuit Testing (ICT)
• Flying Probe Testing
• Automated Functional Testing

These ensure that each component responds appropriately to different operational scenarios.

Although the goal of QA is to minimize defects, no system is 100% error-free. In test engineering, this is even more relevant, as defects can exist not only in the code but also in test devices, firmware, or even in the methodologies used for inspection.

To address this, at EIIT, we apply techniques such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which helps predict potential weaknesses in test systems and correct them before they impact production. Additionally, we use AI-based testing systems that detect error patterns difficult to identify with conventional methods.

International standards such as ISO 9000, ISO 17025 (for test laboratories), and CMMI establish quality benchmarks in the industry. However, at EIIT, we go beyond merely meeting these requirements—we strive for continuous process optimization.

Quality certification is not just a bureaucratic requirement but a guarantee that the products tested in our systems meet the industry’s most demanding standards. In industries like automotive and defense, where a failure can compromise the safety of a vehicle or a critical system, ensuring quality is not optional—it is essential.

In QA, tests can be planned or exploratory. This distinction also applies in test engineering:

• Structured tests, such as electrical and functional tests defined in specific testing protocols.
• Exploratory tests, where engineers look for defects by modifying test conditions dynamically.

At EIIT we combine both methodologies. We implement automated test benches, which perform repetitive tests with precision and efficiency. At the same time, we leverage the experience of our engineers in exploratory tests, allowing them to detect unexpected defects beyond predefined protocols.

No company that aims to remain competitive can afford to launch products without a rigorous quality control process. In sectors where error margins are minimal, such as automotive, defense, and aerospace, QA is not just a value-added feature—it is a market requirement.

At EIIT we ensure the quality of our test systems through a combination of:

• Advanced automation
• State-of-the-art testing methodologies
• A highly specialized team

This approach has allowed us to collaborate with leading industry companies and ensure that their products reach the market with the highest reliability standards.

QA has evolved from being a reactive process to becoming a proactive prevention strategy. In test engineering, this approach is crucial to ensuring that electronic products meet the highest standards before deployment in critical environments.

At EIIT – A Controlar Company, our mission is to provide testing solutions that guarantee the quality and reliability of our clients’ products. Innovation in test systems, automation, and advanced failure analysis allows us to be a benchmark in electronic board testing and industrial automation.