Chapter 5

Question 1

Why is it important to have a certain degree of independence in testing ?

Answer 1

A certain degree of independence makes the tester more effective at finding defects due to difference between the author’s and the tester’s cognitive biases.

Question 2

What are the duties of a test manager/leader?

Answer 2

A test manager is involved in the planning, monitoring and control of testing activities and tasks. They devise test objectives, test policies, test strategies and test plans.

Question 3

Which actors normally perform acceptance level testing?

Answer 3

BA’s, SME’s and users

Question 4

What is a test plan?

Answer 4

A test plan is a document that outlines test activities for development and maintenance projects. It is a continuous activity performed throughout the product’s lifecycle.

Question 5

What is test planning influenced by?

Answer 5

The test policy and test strategy.

Question 6

Where may a test plan be documented?

Answer 6

In a master test plan document or in separate test plans for each test level.

Question 7

What is a test strategy?

Answer 7

It is a generalized description of the test process.

Question 8

What is a test approach?

Answer 8

A test approach is a tailored test strategy for a particular project. It is the starting point for selecting the test techniques, test level and test types and for defining entry and exit criteria.

Question 9

Describe the analytical test strategy.

Answer 9

This strategy is based on an analysis of some factor.

eg. risk based testing

Question 10

Describe the model based test strategy.

Answer 10

Tests are designed based on some model of a required aspect of the product.

eg. CTD and IGNITE

Question 11

Describe the methodical test strategy.

Answer 11

Tests are designed based on some predefined set of tests or test conditions.

Question 12

Describe the process compliant test strategy.

Answer 12

Tests are created based on external rules or standards.

Question 13

Describe the directed test strategy.

Answer 13

Tests are created primarily by the advice of stakeholders, business domain experts or technology experts.

Question 14

Describe the regression-averse test strategy.

Answer 14

This strategy is motivated by desire to avoid regression of existing capabilities. This strategy involves resuse of existing testware, extending automation of regression tests and standard test suites.

Question 15

Describe the reactive test strategy.

Answer 15

Testing is reactive to the component or system being test and the events occur in test execution rather than be pre-planned.
Eg. exploratory testing

Question 16

What are some factors affecting test effort?

Answer 16

Product characteristics
Development process characteristics
People characteristics
Test results

Question 17

Without entry criteria being met, what can occur in a project?

Answer 17

Test activities may be more costly, risky, time-consuming or difficult.

Question 18

Define entry criteria.

Answer 18

Define the preconditions for undertaking a given test activity.

Question 19

Define exit criteria.

Answer 19

Define the conditions that must be achieved in order to declare a test level or a set of tests completed.

Question 20

List and describe two test estimation techniques.

Answer 20

Metrics based: estimates the test effort based on metrics of similar projects or based on typical values.

Expert based: estimates the test effort based on the experience of the testers or experts.

Question 21

What is test monitoring?

Answer 21

Test monitoring is to gather information and and provide feedback and visibility about test activities.

Question 22

What is test control?

Answer 22

Test control describes any guiding or corrective actions taken as a result of information and metrics gathered and possibly reported.

eg. Reprioritizing tests when risks occur.

Question 23

Describe a test progress report.

Answer 23

This is a test report prepared during a test activity.

Common details included:
Test object quality
Tests planned for the next reporting period
Factors impeding progress
The status of the test activities and progress against test plan

Question 24

Describe a test summary report.

Answer 24

This is a test report prepared at the end of a test activity (test level)

Common details included:

Test summary report identifier
Summary
Variances
Comprehensive assessment
Summary of results
Evaluation
Summary of activities
Approvals

Question 25

What is the purpose of configuration management?

Answer 25

This is determining clearly what the items are that make up the software or system and that they are managed carefully throughout the entire project and product life cycle. It also involves the version control of systems as well as proper build processes.

Question 26

Define product risk.

Answer 26

Product risk is the possibility that a system or software may fail to satisfy legitimate needs.

Question 27

Define quality risk.

Answer 27

These are product risks that are associated with specific quality characteristics of a product.

Question 28

Define project risk.

Answer 28

These are situations that may occur to have a negative effect on a project’s ability to achieve its objectives.

Question 29

Describe the risk-based approach to testing.

Answer 29

Product risk analysis is done and the product risk information is used to guide test activities. Analyzing product risks early contributes to the success of a project.

Question 30

In order to carry out product risk analysis, what is normally needed?

Answer 30

The knowledge and insight of the project stakeholders.

Question 31

What is the difference between a test plan and a test design specification?

Answer 31

A test plan is the project plan for testing. A test design specification is a collection of test cases or a set of test procedures. Test plans are higher level than test design specification documents.

Question 32

What is a test level?

Answer 32

This is a test execution period that occurs at different points in times and have different objectives.

Question 33

What two factors determine risk?

Answer 33

Likelihood and impact.

Question 34

What is the defect detection percentage.

Answer 34

The defect detection percentage (DDP) gives a measure of the testing effectiveness. It is calculated as a ratio of defects found found prior to release and after release by customers.

Defects found by testers / Defects found by testers + Defects found by end users

Question 35

Describe an incident report.

Answer 35

This is a report that contains a description of the misbehaviour that was observed and classification of theat misbehavior.

Template: (Remember JIRA)
Test incident report identifier
Summary
Incident description (Steps, actual results, expected results