Quality testing needs quality conditions

When a development project comes to acceptance phase, usually new people from the business are included. Most of the time these skilled business workers have no experience on software testing.

As usual, people are different. They behave differently and have different presumptions on software testing. If you don’t take charge of things, acceptance testing will quickly change to aimless pottering.

Quality testing needs quality conditions. Space and equipment just aren’t enough. Testers need to know how to work right. So at first we need to put the basics right. Even if the things listed below seem too obvious to list, they are not. All it takes is one person to work wrong and everyone’s efficiency is gone.

Behavioural instructions for testing

Take it easy!

• During testing, give everyone a chance to work in peace. Jesting and comedy is better saved for brakes.
• If you have a moment to spare, don’t use it to steal time from another.

No panic!

• Don’t just complain “nothing works”. Give chance to make corrections.
• Problems should be isolated and reported.
• Problems will be solved, one by one.
• Collaboration is a good tool. Don’t ruin it by panicking.

Too hard?

• When you learn to use the new software, use will get 25% faster.
• Project rarely affects only IT. Also processes can change.

Be creative

• The goal is NOT to go through test documents as quickly as possible.
• The goal is NOT to find as many mistakes as possible and rummage through every corner.
• The goal IS to get a working solution to support the business.
• The goal IS to secure successful and safe implementation.

Instructions for test manager

When people are efficiently at work, remember to use these guidelines yourself as well. When you lead, lead by example. Encourage to do right. Everyone wants to be in the winning team. Every victory helps the next battle. Think before you say something negative, more victories are made through positive reinforcement. On the other hand, you need to be strict. Then you won’t need to ask that many times.