UK Tester Forums

Can Running a Test Organisation Like a Business Improve Test Performance and Visibility?

Test and QA managers usually operate within the business with limited influence. They get their mandate from other parts of the business and have to respond after decisions have been made on projects, budgets, resources and requirements.

But could software test and QA offer the business bottom-line financial benefits? Rather than negotiating after the fact and being seen as the bottleneck to delivery, could we take control of our business, make it proactive and transparent? Where could we make a real impact?

Could taking a business-oriented approach help?

Facilitated by Declan Kavanagh, MD, Insight Test Services

Exit, Cry Tears - Dealing with Testing Review Boards

The time that we all dread has come - the testing review meeting. Months have passed since we agreed the exit criteria for this test stage. Back then, we were all optimistic, enthusiastic and willing. But time has passed and some tests haven't. Our business sponsor, once so keen to support the project is now under pressure to kill it. The developers are long gone; only the test manager is left to take the blame.

Is it really as bad as that? Well not usually. But presenting the test evidence to a group of senior managers to achieve sign-off or acceptance is daunting, to say the least. Is there a best practice in this area? What should go in the phase end test report? How do you answer the awkward questions, bound to arise? How and why do exit criteria always seem to be negotiable? Do you take it personally?

What are the challenges in running a testing review meeting?

Paul's slides can be found : PowerPoint or PDF

Facilitated by Paul Gerrard, Principal, Gerrard Consulting