Did you know that inadequate program quality yearly costs US companies over stunning $2 trillion? About 75% of this more than considerable sum accounts for operational deficiencies, while the astounding $260 billion falls on unproductive IT initiatives. What is test management, and how can leaning on well-oiled managed activities ensure the creation of top-quality software bringing you myriad benefits? Read on for insights!
What is test management?
The term in question refers to professionally overseeing the full extent of testing activities across the software development lifecycle. This comprehensive spectrum of endeavors comprises detailed planning of checks, careful monitoring and control over their execution, thorough analysis of outcomes, and exhaustive reporting. The crowning ambition of the entire process is to ensure that the resulting IT solution meets the stakeholders’ requirements and user expectations, that it’s elaborated precisely according to technical specifications, and is delivered within the specified timeline and budget.
A seasoned test manager should be in the right position to competently execute the following responsibilities:
- Take the helm of the test management process throughout the company or within the project scope to determine and oversee the crucial factors for success;
- Actively participate in decision-making to produce outcomes that fully comply with the established quality KPIs;
- Evaluate the present state of test management in software testing and suggest how to advance and scale it to fulfill the company’s aspirations;
- Elicit the bottlenecks of the quality assurance flow and investigate their causes to suggest efficient remedies;
- Devise an exhaustive test plan that will aid the business in meeting its objectives end-to-end;
- Facilitate the adoption of groundbreaking notions of managed testing with the description of the positions with duties and responsibilities, savvy, and tools required to realize them into practice;
- Build a solid system of quality assurance procedures that are backed by quality KPIs;
- Adroitly handle team members and introduce shifts in team composition if needed.
Why is a well-organized examination essential for your IT initiative?
Streamlined and well-coordinated test management in software testing ensures that the product in development meets the necessary quality standards and is free from defects. A structured approach helps identify and fix issues early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of delays and costly rework.
Below are more reasons why turning to top-notch managed testing services is imperative for your IT initiative:
- Impeccable quality: Through systematic work, it becomes possible to identify and resolve issues early in the development cycle, resulting in a higher-quality end product and elevated customer satisfaction.
- Boosted efficiency: The well-organized flow can save time and resources by reducing the need for rework and debugging. The more efficient the adopted procedures, the faster the product is delivered to the market.
- Facilitated risk management: By identifying potential risks early, the teams can mitigate them before they become major problems and thus, reduce delays.
- Increased stakeholders’ confidence: A well-arranged workflow provides concerned parties with confidence in the program’s exceptional quality and helps win their trust.
- Guaranteed compliance with requirements: In some industries, compliance with regulations is mandatory. Thoroughly planned and accurately conducted verifications help ensure that the solution meets these standards, eliminating the risk of fines.
The fundamental stages of the test management process
Test management in software testing involves the following phases, each with its aim and focus.
Planning
This phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for the rest of the work routine, defining its pivotal objectives and essential outputs. At this point, a comprehensive test plan is elaborated that comprises the following activities:
- Risk analysis, i.e. foreseeing and analyzing potential vulnerabilities beforehand to suggest the most efficient ways of their prevention;
- Work estimation, i.e. the evaluation of its scope, timelines, and cost, as well as the required tools and devices and the number and qualifications of the specialists engaged;
- Work organization, i.e. assembling a team of proficient specialists and explaining their roles.
Implementation of the planned efforts
The realization of the pre-arranged steps narrows down to:
- Monitoring and supervision, i.e. applying a clear system of metrics to oversight and adjust the specialists’ performance, operations, and program quality and make them comply with the mapped-out arrangements;
- Troubleshooting, i.e. ensuring that the issues of any severity that occur during the execution of checks are uncovered, registered, prioritized, and handed to the appropriate specialist for fixing in an accurate and timely manner.
- Reporting, i.e. collecting the findings in a comprehensive evaluation report at the conclusion of a project, as well as providing interim reports at a frequency agreed with the customer. These documents capture an overview and analysis of the used techniques and the outcomes of the specialists’ efforts. The final report serves as a concluding examination of the managed testing phase and the software’s present state before it advances to the ultimate stage of development. It’s intended primarily for testers, developers, and stakeholders for their review and consideration.
A few words about the importance of employing solid management tools
The tools for test management in software testing are specifically designed to support and streamline the planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of software tests. These tools are an integral component in ensuring the achievement of project goals.
There are multiple reasons why utilizing robust programs is critical:
- Enhanced preparation: With the help of dedicated platforms, organizing and scheduling checks become more straightforward, even across various teams and departments.
- Optimized performance: Automation of manual tasks, such as the generation of test cases and tracking of results, is made possible through these tools, reducing the possibility of human error while saving time.
- Amplified verification scope: Real-time visibility into the work progress is made available, identifying any gaps and guaranteeing that all crucial program areas are under control.
- Improved team cooperation: Having a shared platform for stakeholders and the team to exchange information and provide and view feedback results in a more productive and streamlined collaboration.
- Comprehensive report generation: Detailed reporting on the results aids teams in identifying trends, issues, and areas for improvement to make informed decisions and improve product quality.
Plenty of tools to choose from are available in the market, from free open-source options to paid proprietary alternatives. Some popular options are Zephyr, qTest, and JIRA.
To sum up
In the final analysis, proper management of the testing process is a vital component of the development that can greatly impact project outcomes. Through careful planning and organization, you can guarantee that your IT solution meets user needs, is delivered within the set timeline and budget, and has optimal quality.
To optimize the results of your project with thorough management, take the following steps:
- Define your objectives and expectations in a clear manner;
- Thoroughly plan and schedule all checks;
- Leverage advanced tools to streamline procedures;
- Keep a close eye on the progress to ensure all crucial areas are covered;
- Collaborate with all involved parties to make verification more competent and successful;
- Generate comprehensive reports for informed decision-making and ongoing improvement of the IT solution’s quality.
By following the above guidelines and principles, you will significantly enhance the chances of success for your initiative, and achieve your goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.
