Test Organization

Test Organization

Independent Testing

Benefits:

• Is unbiased
• Sees other and different defects
• Can verify (implicit) assumptions.Made by developers during specification and implementation of the system

Drawbacks:

• 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

Levels:

• 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)
• 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)

Models:

• Component testing - Testing should be performed in close conjunction with the development activities
• Integration testing - Higher independence is required / particular QA knows the big picture
• System testing - Independence from the development is crucial