All there is To Know about Test Management

Test management refers to the activity of managing software testing process using test management tools. The purpose of test management is to meet customer expectations, develop a new software product within shorter timeframes, and achieve project goals. In this context, testing managers act as agents who provide tips, tools, and procedures to testers with the aim of guiding a project to successful completion. In an ideal scenario, test teams would collaborate with software development teams to develop high-quality software and hardware products.

Managing Software Testing Teams

The effective management of testing teams must proceed together with the use of automated test management tools. These tools are recommended since they promote a collaborative work environment, drive best practices in software testing services, and offer detailed reporting functionality. Further, such tools assist managers in writing test scripts, executing tests, and managing several teams from a remote location. Managing software testing processes increases the productivity of testing teams, and a sharp focus on test management processes increases customer satisfaction leading to the smoother execution of testing projects.

Test Management Processes

Four phases distinguish the typical test management process offered by software testing companies. These include test analysis, test planning and preparation, test execution, and test closure. The first phase analyzes and establishes the functional and non-functional requirements of a testing project. In the second phase, testers set up the testing environment along with everything required for the preparation of test planning, test data, and test cases. Actual testing begins during test execution – this phase also detects glitches within the software application undergoing testing. During test closure, testing engineers prepare test reports to record all test activities and results. The test management process must include incident management and test project evaluation based on certain metrics.

Test Management Tasks and Activities

Activities for the preparation, organization, and execution of test cases take precedence in test management tasks and activities. The organization of test cases must ensure that all the features (or functionality) within an application are thoroughly tested. Testing engineers offering software testing services must use actual test data during test case execution activities and report the results to development teams. Further, test execution processes must be monitored to improve the process and flow of test execution processes. In terms of reporting and analysis, test engineers must gather and compile all useful information to drive improvements in testing processes.

Negative Impacts on Test Management

Inadequate testing time, a lack of testing resources, spatially distributed testing teams, and a blurred view of requirements – these represent factors that can negatively impact test management activities. In response, software testing companies must carefully plan project timelines, allocate the right quality and quantum of testing resources, and outsource testing efforts effectively – in an effort to reduce the costs of testing. Additionally, testing engineers and their managers must validate business and technical requirements before the commencement of testing activities. This is crucial because a lack of clear and complete requirements may spell disaster leading to enormous waste in terms of time and money.

Challenges to Test Management

Test managers may face challenges when they seek to deliver projects on time and within budget. Awareness of testing situations and progress in testing projects represent the best defenses against such challenges. Further, managers must share the nature of emerging risks with team personnel and clients, seek insights into possible solutions, and drive interventions underlined by timely decisions. They may also try a variety of testing approaches and technical frameworks in tune with project budgets.

In Conclusion

The rising of commercial competition and complexity in testing practices exert pressure on testing organizations to develop and launch products within finite timelines. In response, software testing companies must appreciate, refine, and implement the techniques and protocols that underlie software test management. A software testing company with a team of experts would be adept at helping businesses outrace the competition – connect with us to become a frontrunner in your industry.