1. Test Roles and Independence of Testing
Test Organization
Test Roles and Independence of Testing
Stoimen Stoimenov
QA Engineer
SitefinityLeads,SitefinityTeam6
Telerik QA Academy

2. Table of Contents Test Organization and Independence
Benefits and Drawbacks of Test Independence
Levels of Test Independence
Roles And Qualification Profiles
Tasks of the Test Leader and Tester
Test Leader Tasks
Tester Tasks

3. Test Organization and Independence

4. Benefits of Independent Testing
An independent tester:
Is unbiased
Sees other and different defects
Can verify (implicit) assumptions
Made by developers during specification and implementation of the system

5. Drawbacks of Independent Testing
Independence of testing has some risks:
Isolation and lack of communication
Interpersonal level
Isolation from the broader (business) view
Independent testing may become a bottleneck
May be blamed for delays in release
Developers may lose a sense of responsibility for quality

6. Levels of Test Independence
No independent testers
Developers test their own code
Developers might test each other's programs
Independent testers within the development teams
Independent test team or group within the organization
Reporting to project management or executive management

7. Levels of Test Independence (2)
Independent testers from the business organization or user community
Independent test specialists for specific test types
E.g., usability testers, security testers or certification testers
Independent testers outsourced or external to the organization
Might be a separate organization

8. When to Choose Which Model
The test level is an important factor for choosing a model of test independence
Component testing
Testing should be performed in close conjunction with the development activities
Integration testing
Higher independence is required
System testing
Independence from the development is crucial

9. Testing Roles And Qualification Profiles

10. Test Manager
A test manager (test leader) should have knowledge and experience in the fields of:
Software testing
Quality management
Project management
Personnel management

11. Test Manager (2) Typical tasks may include:
Writing or reviewing the test policy of the organization
Writing the test strategy and test plan
Representing the testing perspective
Selecting suitable test methods
Initiating and monitoring the test work

12. Test Manager (3) Typical tasks may include:
Introducing suitable test metrics
Evaluating the quality of the testing and the product
Selecting test tools and training needed
Deciding about the implementation of the test environment
Planning the test runs
Writing test summary reports

13. Test Designer
A test designer (test analyst) should have knowledge and experience in the fields of:
Test methods
Software testing
Software engineering
Specification methods

14. Test Designer (2) Typical tasks may include: Designing test cases
Based on analyzing, reviewing, and assessing user requirements, specifications, designs
Creating test specifications
Preparing and acquiring test data

15. Test Automator
A test automation expert should have knowledge and experience in the fields of:
Testing basics
Programming experience
Testing tools and script languages

16. Test Administrator
Test administrators are engaged with installing and supporting the test environment
System administration knowledge is required
Often coordinate with system administrators and network managers

17. Tester
Testers need to be competent in executing tests and incident reporting which requires knowledge on:
IT basics
Testing basics
Test tools
Understanding the test object

18. Tester (2) Typical tester tasks may include:
Reviewing test plans and test cases
Using test tools and test monitoring tools
Executing and logging tests
Evaluating results
Documenting results and deviations

19. Certification What ISTQB certification can offer? Foundation level
Prepares for the "tester" role
Advanced level
Prepares for the "designer" and "manager" roles

20. Social Skills
Social competence is also important for a test specialist
Ability to work in a team
Diplomatic attitude
Critical thinking (skepticism)
Persistence and poise
Accuracy and creativity

21. Test Organization ? ? ? ? ?
Questions? ? ? ? ? ? ?