Process Area 3.3 – Test Life Cycle and Integration – SG 1 – Establish organisational test process assets

Establish and maintain the organisation’s set of standard test processes.

Introduction

This Goal is looking to see that a set of organisational test process assets is established and maintained.

Part of this should also be ensuring that the physical and technical work environments for undertaking the different test activities is established and that they are appropriate and fit for purpose.

Specific Practices

SP 1.1 Establish standard test processes

Testing cannot and should not exist in isolation. While Level 2 looks for a test approach, here we are looking for evidence that there is a complete, defined test life cycle covering all test levels, activities, deliverables and roles.

SP 1.2 Establish test life cycle model descriptions addressing all test levels

SP 1.3 Establish tailoring criteria guidelines

There should be clearly defined and publicised procedures to identify exceptions. For example, for valid reasons, the project will not comply with certain aspects and to document applications for exception and document the rationale and approvals.

SP 1.4 Establish the organisation’s test process database

in support of the test process and associated artefacts (owned and managed by the test organisation) there should be a clearly defined repository for all test process assets and evidence that it is managed and controlled adequately.

This may be part of a wider organisational configuration management process, if established.

SP 1.5 Establish the organisation’s test process asset library

SP 1.6 Establish work environment standards

Deployment notes

• Does the test organisation document the standard life cycle, defining all test levels, processes, procedures, tools, covering all aspects of test?
• Has an exemption procedure been established and implemented covering non-compliance to the test standard?
• Are all test assets stored and managed in a robust manner?
• Are test resources provided with all their needs to enable them to operate efficiently and effectively?(For example: desk, chair, IT support, correct applications).

Example Sub-practices and work products

Specific Practice 1.1 – Establish standard test processes

Establish and maintain the organisation’s set of standard test processes.

Typical work products –

• The organisation’s set of standard test processes

Sub-practices

• Decompose each standard test process into constituent process elements to the detail needed to understand and describe the process
• Specify the critical attributes of each process element
• Specify the relationships of the process elements
• Ensure that the organisation’s set of standard test processes adheres to organisational policies, standards, and models
• Ensure the organisation’s set of standard test processes satisfies the test process needs and objectives of the test organisation
• Document the organisation’s set of standard test processes
• Conduct peer reviews on the organisation’s set of standard test processes
• Revise the organisation’s set of standard test processes as necessary