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 New methods and procedural models, combined with ever higher cost pressures, are changing the software development environment. As a result, development projects increasingly follow iterative models, while requirements are delivered late in the process in the form of use cases.
It follows that testing must conform to this new development style in support of achieving a “harmonically orchestrated procedural model,” while software testers need to actively embrace the changes and develop their testing processes further, to include the integration of more streamlined economic principles.
Like risk-based testing, Economic Testing focuses on factors critical to success. At the same time, however, the specific business case takes on central importance. The Economic Testing approach thus not only seeks to identify areas that need to be tested, but also those that can be left untested or saved for later project phases at an acceptable risk.
The deciding factor in Economic Testing is the quality of the overall analysis, viewed against the background of the specific business processes that it is intended to support. Thus, Economic Testing is by definition a tailored approach that demands an “economic viewpoint,” or business-driven focus, from those who practice it.
While the classic software testing approach “grows” the budget in accordance with test planning, Economic Testing ensures that the final scope of testing activities is determined by the pre-established budget. Ultimately, the latter ensures that optimal software testing results can be achieved even in cases where the budget is tight.
Crucial Questions:
- Which functions and factors are absolutely critical for the product’s success?
- Is time to market a paramount criterion for success?
- What consequences will minimized quality have on the overall business equation?
- In the long run, what level of quality will add the most value to the client’s business?
- Which areas are OK to leave untested?
- Which tests can be moved to a later project phase?
With answers to the above questions in hand, OBJENTIS experts will help their clients define the minimum requirements and develop the test processes to match.
Our test consultants bring a wealth of project experience with them, and therefore understand the importance of budgetary and time constraints. They are furthermore extremely sensitive to the needs and expectations of users, and to the typical hurdles encountered during the development process. This level of experience reflects in the theoretical principles and models used within the OBJENTIS Economic Testing framework.
OBJENTIS employees are also highly motivated to discuss and share their experiences, be it during in-company training sessions, at conferences and public speaking engagements or in the form of written papers.
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