COURSE 3000 | 2-DAY SESSION
Developing Software Testing and Quality Assurance Techniques
Course outline
Introduction
This workshop is designed to re-enforce your existing techniques and introduce some additional techniques that have been developed by systems professionals over many years in the development and testing environment.
I. Quality Concepts & Principles
In this introduction, we will define what constitutes a systems' quality. We will discuss the pros and cons of various approaches to systems quality and how they relate to your specifications. We will delve beyond the broader topic of quality, into more depth of testing specifically. We will set the ground work by defining common test terminology and describe advantages and limitations of testing. You will also learn to identify processes that are designed to be measurable and repeatable in their own environment.
- Definition of testing
- What is quality and how do we test for it?
- Can we demonstrate good testing techniques?
- Improving Process and Repeatability
- Functional Specification Defects
- System Design Defects
- Programming Defects
- Maintaining the testing process
- Root Cause Analysis
- Critical Success Factors needed for Peer Reviews
- Developing a Quality Review Checklist
- Traceability an important component
- Computer Capability Maturity Model Integrated
II. Developing Test Cases
In this section you will learn a variety of techniques you need to design and build a solid test case. You'll learn how to clearly identify and objectively understand what
you need to test.
- Process and methodology, the keystones of test design
- Making specifications easier to understand and easier to test
- Using path analysis for testing
- Designing Equivalence tests for ease of testing
- Identifying and testing the critical success factors
- Input-based testing techniques
- Functional Analysis testing
III. Test Planning
In a step-by-step approach, you will learn how to plan a testing process that will work in your environment. You'll learn how to anticipate and overcome potential problems before they occur. In addition, you'll know how to make this planning process repeatable and
reusable.
- What is a test plan and a test specification
- Scheduling and managing the test process
- Can templates be designed to be reusable
- Why you need to plan
- Estimating the impact of the testing effort, financial impact, time and staffing required
- Developing a foolproof test plan review checklist
IV. Test Execution and Management
Key to the success of any quality testing includes good management of resources, time and budget dollars. In this section you'll understand the key issues and learn to avoid stumbling blocks that may be inherent in your environment. You'll learn to evaluate results and develop solid follow-up processes.
- Major issues of test execution (such as)
- Managing the test environment
- Effective test documentation
- Traceability Matrix
- Test Results evaluation techniques
- Test Failures
- Criteria needed for test completion
- Testing, how much is enough? How much insurance do you need?
V. Unit & Integration Testing
You will learn how to perform "white and black box" testing. Usually the first level of testing, understanding this initial stage is crucial to accurate follow-up testing procedures. You'll understand the issues encountered, unit test completion criteria and debugging techniques. You will also examine in detail integration and interface testing techniques.
- Unit and integration test issues
- Criteria for completion of programming assignments
- Sources of integration-level errors
- The building process, what to incorporate, what to avoid
- Systems interface testing
- Integration test success factors
VI. System & Acceptance Testing
In this section, you will examine the elements of the "black box" system and acceptance testing. In detail, you'll understand user involvement, data sources, beta testing and success criteria of black box testing.
- Types of system & acceptance tests
- Users’roles in testing
- Acceptance testing in a contractual situation
- Beta, pilot and field testing techniques
- Usability testing
- Release management
- Systems & Acceptance testing (success factors?)
VII. Testing Modifications
Learn how to test modifications in your existing sys-
tems, including regression testing as well as mainte-
nance. You'll also examine related processes such as
change control and version control.
- Localized change testing
- Regression testing
- Change completion checklist
- Version control
VIII. Organization, Cooperation and Personnel Issues
In this segment, you will learn what cooperation from other departments is necessary to ensure quality of the end product. Developing teamwork concepts and tech-
niques will be thoroughly investigated.
- Gaining commitment and support from your team and other departments
- Techniques for speeding up the delivery process
- Testing as a primary responsibility and profession
- Managing, minimizing and neutralizing conflicts among the groups
- Integrated vs. Independent Testing, benefits and limitations
IX. Environmental Testing
The selection of a test methodology will often depend on the environment where it will be used. It can be specific to a development, maintenance or test environment such as reliability testing, configuration testing and software package installation testing. You will also learn how to test GUI and client/server systems, object- oriented systems, real-time, embedded systems and Web-based systems.
- Compatibility testing
- Performance and stress testing C Security & controls testing
- Error and disaster recovery testing
- Database testing
- Software package testing
- GUI and client/server systems testing
- Internet-based applications
X. Automated Testing
Automation changes the test process. In this section, students will understand the benefits, issues and drawbacks associated with automated testing and commercially available automated regression testing tools. You'll review other major types of test support and QA tools together with examples of available products.
- Functions of automated test tools
- Assessing your readiness and ability to use automated test tools
- Load or stress testing tools
- Version control and defect tracking tools
- Tool product recommendations
- Workflow diagrams for the test process
XI. An Introduction to Web-Based Testing
Web applications are increasing at a very rapid rate. Learn what to expect when Web applications are integrated into your system. See what tools are available now.
- Web-based testing issues
- Testing implications of internet technology
- Creating a framework for testing Web-based applications
- Developing an Internet applications testing checklist
ASPE has been reviewed and approved as a CPE training provider for the National Assoication of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). 12 CPEs are awarded upon full completion of Developing Software Testing and Quality Assurance Techniques.
