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Overview
The advent of agile methodologies and test-driven development has brought software testing to the forefront of application development. Yet in today’s harried rush-to-market development environment, organizations must find a delicate balance between product release and product quality.
In Critical Testing Processes, the author distills knowledge gained from 20 years of testing experience into twelve critical processes. These include highly visible processes by which peers and management judge competence, and mission-critical processes in which performance affects the company’s profits and reputation.
After each process is introduced, the author demonstrates its use through an engaging case study. Instead of cumbersome regulations, this book provides checklists—lightweight, flexible tools for implementing process-oriented testing, gathering metrics, and making incremental process changes. By demonstrating critical processes in various organizational, operational, and technological contexts, this book shows readers how to:
- Handle recurrent tests efficiently and consistently
- Develop a cohesive, cooperative team that sidesteps redundancies
- Build a reputation for reliability through the effective communication of test results
- Define the focus of tests for maximum customer satisfaction and organizational success
Because testing is a collaborative process with the participation of staff throughout the organization, the author discusses interpersonal and cultural issues in depth. This book also devotes ample coverage to the often-overlooked areas of planning and perfecting tests. Whatever your role in testing—from test engineering to managing hundreds of test engineers—Critical Testing Processes will offer valuable insights into what you do, why it’s important, and how you can perform better.
Synopsis
Black, a consultant in a testing and quality assurance firm, explains 12 software testing processes and presents case studies that demonstrate the use of each process in various organizational, operational, and technological contexts. He shows how to handle recurrent tests, how to focus tests to maximize customer satisfaction, and how to build a reputation for reliability. Because testing is a collaborative process, the author discusses interpersonal issues in depth, and covers areas of planning and perfecting tests. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewGrudgingly, perhaps, software organizations are starting to pay more attention to testing. But not everyone’s having the success they’re hoping for. If you’re encountering turbulence, Critical Testing Processes has good news. You don’t have to change everything you’re doing. Focus on 12 specific processes Rex Black has identified. Use his practical, easy checklists. You’ll dramatically improve your odds.
Black -- whose testing/QA clients range from Cisco to the U.S. Department of Defense -- brings order to testing. His “critical processes” are organized into four areas, presented chronologically: planning, preparation, performance, and perfecting both your system and your own testing procedures.
You’ll learn how to define testing processes that stay focused on the “big picture” and learn how to focus your efforts on the most significant areas of risk. You’ll learn how to budget for testing and actually estimate its ROI. (Is that ever welcome!) There’s a full chapter on marshaling stakeholder support (not always easy). Black offers high-value techniques for organizing your test team, training its participants, using contractors, and building a complete test system.
Now you’re ready for the testing itself. Black’s critical processes include practical test release and execution processes, as well as effective bug and test reporting that doesn’t just lead to bug fixes but also to overall quality improvements. Plus, there’s a simple change management process that’s timed right, so it’s more likely to work.
This friendly, informal book has experience oozing from every pore. You’ll actually enjoy reading it. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.