1.2 Why is testing necessary?

Question 1

How does testing contribute to achieving project goals within set scope, time, quality, and budget constraints?

Answer 1

Testing helps identify defects in software components, systems, and documentation, aiding in the achievement of agreed-upon goals within set constraints.

Question 2

Should testing activities be restricted to the test team alone?

Answer 2

No, any stakeholder can use their testing skills to bring the project closer to success.

Question 3

What is one of the primary contributions of testing?

Answer 3

Providing a cost-effective means of detecting defects.

Question 4

How does testing indirectly contribute to higher quality test objects?

Answer 4

By detecting defects that can then be removed through debugging

Question 5

Besides defect detection, what else does testing directly evaluate?

Answer 5

The quality of a test object at various stages in the SDLC.

Question 6

How does testing contribute to project management decisions?

Answer 6

By providing measures used in decisions to move to the next stage of the SDLC, such as the release decision.

Question 7

How does testing ensure user representation in the development lifecycle?

Answer 7

Testers ensure that users’ needs are considered throughout the development lifecycle.

Question 8

Why might involving a representative set of users in the development project not always be feasible?

Answer 8

Due to high costs and lack of availability of suitable users.

Question 9

What other reasons might necessitate testing besides defect detection?

Answer 9

To meet contractual or legal requirements, and to comply with regulatory standards.

Question 10

What is the difference between testing and quality assurance (QA)?

Answer 10

Testing is a form of quality control (QC), while QA encompasses broader activities aimed at ensuring quality throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

Question 11

What does QC focus on?

Answer 11

QC (Quality Control) is a product-oriented, corrective approach focusing on activities to achieve appropriate quality levels.

Question 12

What are major forms of quality control?

Answer 12

Testing, formal methods (model checking and proof of correctness), simulation, and prototyping.

Question 13

What is the focus of QA?

Answer 13

QA (Quality Assurance) is a process-oriented, preventive approach focusing on implementing and improving processes.

Question 14

Who is responsible for QA on a project?

Answer 14

Everyone on the project shares responsibility for QA, encompassing both development and testing processes.

Question 15

How are test results utilized in QC and QA?

Answer 15

In QC, test results are used to fix defects. In QA, they provide feedback on the performance of development and test processes.

Question 16

What causes errors in software development?

Answer 16

Errors (mistakes) can occur due to time pressure, complexity of work products, processes, infrastructure, interactions, fatigue, or inadequate training

Question 17

Where can defects be found in software artifacts?

Answer 17

Defects can be found in documentation (e.g., requirements specification), source code, or supporting artifacts like build files.

Question 18

What happens if defects in artifacts produced early in SDLC remain undetected?

Answer 18

They often lead to defective artifacts later in the lifecycle.

Question 19

What is a root cause?

Answer 19

A fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem, identified through root cause analysis.

Question 20

When is root cause analysis typically performed?

Answer 20

It is typically performed when a failure occurs or a defect is identified to prevent similar issues in the future.

Question 21

What is a cost-effective benefit of testing in software development?

Answer 21

Testing provides a cost-effective means of detecting defects, which can then be removed by debugging.

Question 22

How does testing indirectly contribute to higher quality test objects?

Answer 22

By detecting defects that can then be removed, testing indirectly improves the quality of test objects

Question 23

At what stages in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) does testing evaluate the quality of a test object?

Answer 23

Testing evaluates the quality of a test object at various stages in the SDLC.

Question 24

How do the results of testing influence project management decisions?

Answer 24

The results of testing are used in project management to make decisions about moving to the next stage of the SDLC, such as the release decision.

Question 25

How does testing provide users with indirect representation on the development project?

Answer 25

Testers ensure that their understanding of users’ needs is considered throughout the development lifecycle.

Question 26

Why is it often impractical to involve a representative set of users in the development project?

Answer 26

Involving users directly is usually impractical due to high costs and lack of availability of suitable users.

Question 27

Besides improving software quality, what other requirements might testing help to meet?

Answer 27

Testing may be required to meet contractual or legal requirements or to comply with regulatory standards.

Question 28

How are testing and quality assurance (QA) different?

Answer 28

Testing is a form of quality control (QC), whereas quality assurance (QA) encompasses a broader range of activities aimed at ensuring quality.