|
|
This presentation would introduce a biologically inspired model-based conceptual framework for network-centric testing and quality assurance. It involves an architecture that can deal with computers and software viewed as a system of interactive and dynamic behavioral objects rather than strictly for data processing and number crunching that are themselves part of a larger system.This conceptual framework for testing and quality assurance would allow for testing a range of behaviors and outcomes and the possible interactions for these application objects without the necessity for fully understanding them in advance! This could permit testing the fundamental structure of the program and the application environment and the executable functional mechanisms underneath as a testing and quality assurance framework that is anchored in living systems theory. It permits an inside out approach such that testing and quality engineering activities are based on the genetic makeup of the expected and anticipated dynamic state attributes and characteristics of the system using its own behavioral specifications as the test instruments for locating and stimulating the weak links.
This quickstart/tutorial presentation will also examine the significant challenges posed by network-based software systems and provide the context and background for understanding the daunting task faced by quality specialists and information technology management in dealing with this future frontier, today!
Mr. Drake is a software systems quality specialist and management and information technology consultant for Integrated Computer Concepts, Inc. (ICCI) in the United States. He currently leads and manages a U.S. government agency-level Software Engineering Center’s quality engineering initiative. In addition, he consults to the information technology industry on technical management and software engineering and code development issues. As part of an industry and government outreach/partnership program, he holds frequent seminars and tutorials covering code analysis, software metrics, OO analysis for C++ and Java, coding practice, testing, best current practices in software development, the business case for software engineering, software quality engineering practices and principles, quality and test architecture development and deployment, project management, organizational dynamics and change management, and the people side of information technology. He is the principal author of a chapter on Metrics Used for Object-Oriented Software Quality for a CRC Press Object Technology Handbook published in December of 1998. In addition, Mr. Drake is the author of a theme article entitled: Measuring Software Quality: A Case Study published in the November 1996 issue of IEEE Computer. He also had the lead, front page article published in late 1999 for Software Tech News by the US Department of Defense Data & Analysis Center for Software (DACS) entitled: Testing Software Based Systems: The Final Frontier. Mr. Drake is listed with the International Who’s Who for Information Technology for 1999, is a member of IEEE and an affiliate member of the IEEE Computer Society. He is also a Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) from the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI).
