QW2002 Tutorial F2

Mr. Rex Black
(RBCS, Inc.)

Managing The Testing Process: Test Estimation

Key Points

Presentation Abstract

Based on the upcoming Second Edition of Rex's popular book, Managing the Testing Process, and nearly two decades of software, hardware, and systems experience, Rex Black will guide course attendees through a risk-based approach to creating realistic, actionable estimates of the testing tasks required for a project. Using techniques ranging from the informal to ISO 9126 to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Rex will demonstrate how to determine what you should test--and how extensively--by developing a prioritized list of risks to system quality. Rex will then use a hypothetical case study to translate that list of quality risks into an estimated schedule and budget via techniques like the Delphic Oracle, Three-Point, and Wideband team task sizing methods, plus the use of historical data and rules of thumb for additional accuracy. Finally, Rex will examine options for testers when they're asked to shrink their testing efforts into pre-existing schedule or budget targets, including risk-driven test effort descoping. Throughout, attendees will have a chance to solidify their understanding of the techniques through in-class discussion, Q&A, and three exercises.

About the Author

Rex Black (Rex_Black@RexBlackConsulting.com) is the President and Principal Consultant of Rex Black Consulting Services, Inc. http://www.RexBlackConsulting.com, an international software and hardware testing and quality assurance consultancy. He and his consulting associates help clients such as Bank One, Cisco, Compaq, Dell, Schlumberger, Williams Communications, and others with implementation, consulting, training, and staffing for testing, test automation, and quality assurance projects. His first book, Managing the Testing Process, published in June 1999, sold thousands of copies in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. In July 2002, Wiley published the updated and improved second edition. Following on the heels of these successful books, Addison-Wesley will publish Critical Testing Processes, Volume I and Volume II in late 2002 and early 2003, respectively.