Managing the Testing Process, 3rd Edition

Managing the Testing Process: Practical Tools and Techniques for Managing Hardware and Software Testing

New edition of one of the most influential books on managing software and hardware testing

In this new edition of his top-selling book, Rex Black walks you through the steps necessary to manage rigorous testing programs of hardware and software. The preeminent expert in his field, Mr. Black draws upon years of experience as president of both the International and American Software Testing Qualifications boards to offer this extensive resource of all the standards, methods, and tools you’ll need.

The book covers core testing concepts and thoroughly examines the best test management practices and tools of leading hardware and software vendors. Step-by-step guidelines and real-world scenarios help you follow all necessary processes and avoid mistakes.

• Producing high-quality computer hardware and software requires careful, professional testing; Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition explains how to achieve that by following a disciplined set of carefully managed and monitored practices and processes
• The book covers all standards, methods, and tools you need for projects large and small
• Presents the business case for testing products and reviews the author’s latest test assessments
• Topics include agile testing methods, risk-based testing, IEEE standards, ISTQB certification, distributed and outsourced testing, and more
• Over 100 pages of new material and case studies have been added to this new edition

If you’re responsible for managing testing in the real world, Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition is the valuable reference and guide you need.For a practical guide to software testing, readers can look to Rex Black’s Managing the Testing Process, a compendium of real-world advice on managing software testing successfully. It is a veritable hodge-podge of sample test documents and is filled with recommendations from an old hand at test management.

Early sections examine the design of test plans, along with strategies for assessing and prioritizing risk as well as catching bugs through effective testing. Sample case studies include a network hardware device and a Java word processor.

Throughout this book, a variety of documents (including Excel spreadsheets and Access databases) are presented to get you started on your own testing projects. (Though reproduced here in truly microscopic print, all sample documents are included on the accompanying CD-ROM.) The book also looks at metrics for measuring the performance of your testing operation.

Managing the Testing Process shows how a bug-tracking database is the most effective model for managing the testing cycle. This book is chock-full of advice on testing management. The author also presents dozens of tips for succeeding in the software Q/A job market.

Sections on designing a lab and staffing it, including a valuable discussion on when to use consultants and when to outsource testing, provide a practical guide to today’s testing management. After an introduction to working with other players in today’s software organizations, a final chapter looks at managing testing across different locations.

Many developers spend time in Q/A as a stepping stone to careers in software design. And as the author points out, the job of test engineer is growing in popularity. Read this book to find out the often harsh realities of software testing along with strategies for improving the effectiveness of your software testing team. –Richard Dragan

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Defining What’s on Your Plate: The Foundation of a Test Project
Chapter 2. Plotting and Presenting Your Course: The Test Plan
Chapter 3. Test-System Architecture, Cases, and Coverage
Chapter 4. An Exciting Career in Entomology Awaits You: A Bug-Tracking Database
Chapter 5. Managing Test Cases: The Test-Tracking Spreadsheet
Chapter 6. Tips and Tools for Crunch Mode: Managing the Dynamic
Chapter 7. Stocking and Managing a Test Lab
Chapter 8. Staffing and Managing a Test Team
Chapter 9. The Triumph of Politics: Organizational Challenges for Test Managers
Chapter 10. Involving Other Players: Distributed Testing, outsourcing, and related topics
Chapter 11. Economics of Testing: Fiscal Context

Appendix A. Hardware-Testing Fundamentals: An Introduction for Software-Testing Professionals
Appendix B. Omninet: The Internet Everywhere Marketing Requirements Document
Appendix C. Omninet: The Internet Everywhere System Requirements Document
Appendix D. Bibliography, Related Readings, and Other Resources