Chapter 1

Question 1

What are the main phases of software testing?

Answer 1

Software testing includes test planning, test monitoring and control, test analysis, test design, test implementation, test execution and test completion activities.

Question 2

Which form of testing involves the execution of the component or system being tested?

Answer 2

dynamic testing

Question 3

Which form of testing does not involve the execution of the component or system being tested?

Answer 3

static testing

Question 4

Define quality assurance.

Answer 4

Adherence to proper processes in order to provide confidence that the appropriate levels of quality will be achieved.

Question 5

Name the 7 testing principles.

Answer 5

Testing shows the presence of defects, not their absence
Exhaustive testing is impossible
Early testing saves time and money
Defects cluster together
Pesticide paradox (at some point, tests no longer will find defects and new tests will have to be created)
Testing should be done differently in different contexts
Absence of errors fallacy: if the system is not acceptable to users, it does not matter how many defects are found, it is still unusable.

Question 6

What is test monitoring?

Answer 6

This is the ongoing comparison of actual progress against planned progress using metrics defined in test plan.

Question 7

What is test control?

Answer 7

This involves taking actions necessary to meet the objectives of the test plan.

Question 8

What is test analysis?

Answer 8

This is when the test basis is analyzed to identify testable features and define associated test conditions.

Question 9

Describe test design.

Answer 9

This is when test conditions are elaborated into high level test cases

Question 10

Define test implementation.

Answer 10

This is when testware for test execution is created and or completed.

Question 11

Define test completion.

Answer 11

These activities collect data from completed test activities to consolidate experience, testware and any other relevant info.

Question 12

Describe what a test plan is.

Answer 12

A test plan includes information about the test basis to which other test work products will be related via traceability information as well as exit criteria (used during test monitoring and control).

Question 13

What are some work products of test monitoring and control?

Answer 13

Test reports and test summaries

Question 14

What are some work products of test design?

Answer 14

high level test cases
design/identification of necessary test data
design of test environment
identification of infrastructure and tools

Question 15

What are some work products of test implementaion

Answer 15

test procedures and the sequencing of those test procedures
Test suites
Test execution schedule

Question 16

What are some work products of test execution?

Answer 16

Defect reports
Documentation of test case statuses
Documentation of items involved in testing

Question 17

What are some work products of test completion?

Answer 17

Test summary reports
Action items for future project improvement
Change requests
finalized testware

Question 18

Define traceability.

Answer 18

This is the ability to verify the history, location or application of an item by means of documented recorded info.

Question 19

What does good traceability support? (2)

Answer 19

Analyzing the impact of changes
Making testing auditable
Meeting IT governance criteria
Improving understandability of reports

Question 20

What is the difference between test validation and test verification?

Answer 20

Validation asks, “Did I build what I need for the customer?” or “Is the product the right specification?”
Verification asks “Did I build what I said I would?” or “Is the product matching the specification?”

Question 21

What is test planning?

Answer 21

This is creating an understanding of goals and objectives of how the project and the risks that testing will address.

Question 22

Define test approach.

Answer 22

This is the way the testing will be carried out.

Question 23

What is the test policy?

Answer 23

These are rules for testing.

Question 24

Describe the activities of test planning.

Answer 24

The scope, risks and objectives of testing are defined
Test approach, test policy, test strategy, test resources are determined
Test tasks and activities are scheduled
Exit criteria are determined

Question 25

What is exit criteria?

Answer 25

This is criteria that will hep us keep track of whether we are completing the test activities correctly.

Question 26

Describe activities in test control and monitoring.

Answer 26

Executed tests are measured and analyzed (pass, fail etc.)
Test coverage, exit criteria and progress is monitored and documented
Info is provided to stakeholders
Corrective actions are taken
Decisions on testing are made

Question 27

Describe activities in test analysis and design.

Answer 27

Test basis is reviewed
Test conditions identified
Test are designed
Testability of requirements are evaluated
Test environment and tools are set up

Question 28

What is a test log?

Answer 28

It is a recording of test results and conditions.

Question 29

What is testware?

Answer 29

This is test scripts, test environment and other test infrastructure.

Question 30

Why is an independent test important?

Answer 30

Because this type of tester is removed from development (to some degree) their author bias is less than someone who is actively involved in development.