CH1 software testing

What are the 7 stages of the generalized test process?

Test Planning; Test Monitoring & Control; Test Analysis; Test Design; Test Implementation; Test Execution; Test Completion

What is the purpose of test planning?

Define objectives, scope, approach, resources, schedule, risks, and exit criteria.

What is test monitoring?

Comparing actual progress and results against the test plan.

What is test control?

Taking corrective actions to keep testing aligned with objectives.

What are exit criteria?

Conditions that must be met before a test level can be considered complete.

What is another term for exit criteria in Agile?

Definition of Done.

What question does test analysis answer?

What should be tested?

What question does test design answer?

How should it be tested?

What question does test implementation answer?

Do we have everything needed to run the tests?

What is the main goal of test analysis?

Identify testable features and define test conditions.

What is a test condition?

A testable aspect of a component or system used as a basis for testing.

What defects can be found in the test basis during test analysis?

Ambiguities; omissions; inconsistencies; inaccuracies; contradictions; unnecessary statements.

What is bi-directional traceability?

The ability to trace forward and backward between requirements and test work products.

What is a test case?

A set of inputs, actions, preconditions, and expected results for testing.

What is test data?

Data used to execute test cases.

What is created during test design?

Test cases; test data; test environments; traceability links.

What is created during test implementation?

Test procedures; test suites; execution schedules; environments; test data.

What is a test procedure?

A sequence of steps required to execute one or more test cases.

What is a test suite?

A collection of test procedures or test cases.

What is a test execution schedule?

The planned order and timing for running test suites.

What activities occur during test execution?

Running tests; comparing results; logging outcomes; reporting defects.

What are common test statuses?

Pass; Fail; Blocked; Skipped; Ready to Run.

What is retesting?

Repeating tests after defects are fixed.

What is regression testing?

Testing to ensure changes have not introduced unintended effects.

What is test completion?

Activities performed after testing finishes to preserve results and lessons learned.

What is a test completion report?

A report summarizing testing activities and results.

Why is testware archived?

For future reuse, maintenance, audits, or regression testing.

What factors influence the test process?

Stakeholders; team skills; business domain; technology; project constraints; organization; SDLC; tools.

What is a risk register?

A list of risks, likelihoods, impacts, and mitigation actions.

What work product is produced during test planning?

A test plan.

What work product is produced during test monitoring and control?

A test progress report.

What work product is produced during test analysis?

Test conditions.

What work product is produced during test design?

Test cases.

What work product is produced during test implementation?

Test procedures and test suites.

What work product is produced during test execution?

Test logs and defect reports.

What work product is produced during test completion?

Test completion reports and lessons learned.

What are the benefits of traceability?

Impact analysis; auditability; governance support; better reporting; quality assessment.

What role primarily performs test planning?

Test management role.

What role primarily performs test analysis, design, implementation, and execution?

Tester role.

What six generic skills should testers have?

Testing knowledge; attention to detail; communication; analytical thinking; technical knowledge; domain knowledge.

Why are communication skills important for testers?

They help communicate defects constructively and effectively.

What is professional curiosity?

Asking 'what would happen if?' to uncover defects.

What is domain knowledge?

Understanding the business and how software supports business goals.

What is the whole team approach?

Everyone shares responsibility for quality and testing activities.

Why can independent testing be more effective?

Independent testers may find defects overlooked by authors.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to see what you expect to see and miss defects.

List testing independence levels from least to most independent.

Author; Peer; Separate tester; Independent test team; External testers.

What is an advantage of greater testing independence?

Different perspectives and improved defect detection.

What is a disadvantage of greater testing independence?

Potential communication and collaboration barriers.

What is debugging?

Finding causes of failures and correcting defects.

What is testing?

Executing software to find defects and evaluate quality.

Can testing prove there are no defects?

No. Testing shows the presence of defects, not their absence.

What testing principle states defects are concentrated in a few areas?

Defect clustering.

What testing principle says testing approaches vary by situation?

Testing is context-dependent.

Is testing quality assurance or quality control?

Quality control.

Is quality assurance process-oriented or product-oriented?

Process-oriented.

Is quality control process-oriented or product-oriented?

Product-oriented.

What is the root cause of a defect?

The underlying reason a defect was introduced.

When should expected results be defined?

During test design.

What three key outputs come from test execution?

Test status records; defect reports; test logs.

What ethical responsibility do testers have toward the public?

Act in the public interest.

What ethical responsibility do testers have toward employers and clients?

Act in their best interests while considering the public interest.

Why should testers engage in lifelong learning?

To maintain and improve professional competence.