Home > Ask the Software Quality Experts > Software Project Management Questions & Answers > How to get testers involved early in development
Ask The Software Quality Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

How to get testers involved early in development

Karen N. Johnson EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Karen N. Johnson

Pose a Question
Other Software Quality Categories
Meet all Software Quality Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 09 February 2007
How can I get testing more involved in the early stages of development?

>
EXPERT RESPONSE
I once had the following experience. I was asked if I would be willing to attend a meeting between the system architect and two developers if I wouldn't ask any questions. Apparently, I'm known for asking lots of questions. I vowed silence and attended the meeting.

I listened to a long discussion revolving around concerns with specific tables in the database schema -- tables where the data was expected to grow rapidly. I heard how the system architect altered the design to accommodate rapid growth and heard details about the data warehousing alternatives. I said nothing.

But when I returned to test planning, I incorporated test ideas around those areas. I planned performance tests, functional tests and search testing designed to expose problems. When the system architect saw my test plan (I always share my test plans with different members of a project team and let them know my work is open for review and input), he told me I was welcome to return to any product planning meetings. Because he could see the direct benefit of "allowing" QA in early in the process, he began to advocate my attendance in meetings. After that, I didn't have to do anything else to advocate early involvement. The door had been opened.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Software Project Management
Where does quality assurance fit in agile development?
Quality standards don't always mean fewer defects
How to present a project to the management
Project management charts: Beyond Gantt
How to switch your team to Agile
How to deal with a difficult team member
Collaboration and communication tools for virtual meetings
Project management: How to compose a project team
How to create accurate project status reports
Varying SDLC methodologies among development teams

Software project management methods and approaches
The challenges of dispersed software development
Techniques for managing multiple software projects
What are the traits of a successful project manager?
Integrating application lifecycle management (ALM) processes provides additional benefits
How Google developed the Chrome Web browser
Keep software projects moving even during holidays
How to estimate project completion times
Software quality best practices
Successful application lifecycle management: Setting the foundation
How to switch your team to Agile

Software testing and quality assurance (QA) fundamentals
How testers can convince developers of software errors
Pictures communicate software requirements without slowing development
Common mistakes of new software testers
Cloud computing creates software testing challenges
How cloud computing affects agile practices, testing
Test strategy document vs. an acceptance test plan
SOA application testing a combined effort
Overcoming SOA testing challenges
The future of software testing
Eliminating testing environment troubles

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
collaboration diagram  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
Gantt chart  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
PERT chart  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
rapid application development  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
work breakdown structure  (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Software Quality - Software Maintenance, Software Requirements, Software Standards
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2006 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts