Managing the Testing Process: Practical Tools and Techniques for Managing Hardware and Software Testing
Rex Black walks you through the steps necessary to manage rigorous testing programs of hardware and software. The preeminent expert in his field, Mr. Black draws upon years of experience as president of both the International and American Software Testing Qualifications boards to offer this extensive resource of all the standards, methods, and tools you'll need.
The book covers core testing concepts and thoroughly examines the best test management practices and tools of leading hardware and software vendors. Step-by-step guidelines and real-world scenarios help you follow all necessary processes and avoid mistakes.
If you're responsible for managing testing in the real world, Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition is the valuable reference and guide you need.
Review By: Daniel Campanelli
08/31/2010
Testing is normally the step child of software development. It traditionally has had to take a back seat to software development which always puts test managers in a position of having too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Using the risk-based tools and techniques described in this book provides test managers the flexibility needed to make realistic trade-offs while working through the paradox of trying to deliver quality software in a constrained time period.
None of the tools and techniques presented are "silver bullets." Rather, many of them are presented as part of a continuum of recommended approaches one should implement within the confines your given circumstances. The author's risk-based approach to managing software testing projects seeks to identify what should be tested in contrasted to what can be tested. The book discusses some traditional test deliverables such as test planning, test case designing, test metrics, and defect management. Considerable attention is then given to organizational politics, agile development, test outsourcing, etc.
The book is based on the author's twenty five years of experience as a practicing software test manager. The author supports his concepts with numerous illustrations, personal anecdotes, case histories, and comparisons to the IEEE829 (Standard for Software Test Documentation) and the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration). The author also provides additional reading links and tool downloads for the ones presented in the book on the author's Web site (www.rbcs-us.com).
Overall, I thought this book is well written. It seamlessly blends risk management, project management, and quality management into one, cohesive test management process. If you want to be good test manager, read this book and make it part of your personal library. If you want to be an effective test manager, study this book and keep it on your desk for frequent reference.
Review By: John Beecham
08/31/2010
This updated edition of Rex Black’s bestselling book covers time proven methods for successful test management. The book is composed of twelve easy-to-read chapters that cover topics ranging from developing detailed test plans to the politics of managing a testing project. As a testing manager, I was drawn to chapters eight and eleven in which real world topics that affecting the testing industry in today's economic environment are discussed. In chapter eight, he discusses the process of bringing on testing consultants or experts. Black covers pre-work that should take place prior to hiring a consultant and goes over the dangers and pit-falls that can arise during this process. He cautions the reader to avoid the “overpaid neophyte” who you might be "paying $200 an hour for the expertise and experience of someone who just graduated from business school." Chapter eleven covers the economic side of testing delving into topics ranging from testing’s economic justifications and tips on communicating testing budgets to senior management.
The difference between the previous two editions are the updates of the IEEE-829 standards and accompanying templates, new metric material, new exercises, and some reformatting of the final chapter in which Rex addresses the importance of including testing into the overall development and maintenance processes. By practical insights and real world examples, the book provides the reader with tools and techniques that are essential to all test management. The book is easy to read, and I would recommend it to novice test managers and seasoned professionals and their staff. It is a must for every test library. You will find yourself referring back to it repeatedly. I believe this book should be required reading for anyone who plans or manages testing.