Effective Methods for Software Testing, Third Edition

Chapter 2. Creating an Environment Supportive of Software Testing

Senior IT management is responsible for creating an environment in which software testing is effective and efficient. Only management can create that type of environment. If such an environment does not exist, the probability of dissatisfying project personnel and software users is high.

Management controls all the attributes of the environment. They determine the business that the organization performs, the physical location of the organization, the layout of the office for testers, which hardware and operating system software will be used, and which software projects will be developed. In addition, management hires the testers, determines the type of training they will receive, and approves the testing processes and tools. How testers are motivated, rewarded, and satisfied with their work tasks is also under management’s control.

This chapter focuses on management’s role in creating an environment conducive to software testing by addressing the following topics:

• Management’s risk appetite for ineffective software

• The role management assigns to testing

• The policy for testing

• The type of support management provides for software testing

• The resources allocated for testing

• The processes and tools that will be used for testing

Minimizing Risks

The primary objective of software testing is to minimize operational risk by identifying defects prior to the software being placed into operation.

Risk Appetite for Software Quality

A risk ...