Better Software - November 2008 - (Page 46)

Using Testing Standards by Claire Lohr tHere is a Brand neW version of tHe softWare testinG docuMentation standard. IEEE Std-829-2008 Standard for Software and System Test Documentation was just published in July! It delineates a process for choosing and tailoring the testing documentation for a given project. It has updated the old, tried-and-true, test-related documents, and the new documents include a master test plan, documentation for each test level, a level interim test status report, and a master test report. tHere is no one size fits all. Actually, there never was, and many long-suffering testers have tales of woe about endless, unnecessary documentation requirements. All of the new standards recognize this reality and recommend choosing useful contents and documents instead of trying to mandate everything for all projects. tHe Best exaMPle is a real exaMPle. Blank templates are an essential part of disseminating best practices and consistency throughout an organization. But, somehow, users of the templates seem to understand them much better from a real example. Note that the word “good” is missing. Even an irrelevant or somewhat mediocre example is better than no example at all. standards are cHeaPer By tHe dozen. Actually, by the two to three dozen. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has a software and systems engineering standards collection that can be purchased for about the price of three individual standards. I recommend getting an online license, so draft (why wait until final publication?) and newly published standards are automatically delivered as they become available. tHe national institute for standards and tecHnoloGy Has tWo free security testinG standards. From the nist.gov home page, click the Computer Security Resource Center link, then click the Special Publications link, and download the SP 800115 Draft Guide to Security Testing and the SP 800-84 Guide to Test, Training, and Exercise Programs for IT Plans and Capabilities. tHe Best testinG-related dictionary is free and references Many standards tHat are not free. Go to astqb.org and click the Software Testing Glossary link. international orGanization for standardization (iso) and tHe ieee are collaBoratinG to avoid duPlication. There is an agreement between ISO and the IEEE that allows ISO to have full use of designated, existing IEEE standards to develop the next generation of standards. It is possible to buy from the IEEE many ISO standards (including in collections), as they have been approved by both organizations. tHe next Generation of testinG standards Will Be froM iso. The IEEE, ISO, and the British Computer Society have turned all their testing-related standards over to ISO groups who are working to develop a collection of testing-related standards that keeps existing useful material and evolves the next generation of test standards. tHere is a Way to Get a free coPy of a neW standard. Volunteer to participate in a working group developing a new standard, and you will get a free copy of it when it is published. Attendance at meetings is desirable but not required; however, some kind of participation is required. anyone can ProPose an entirely neW standard. That does not mean that it will be approved, but the instructions for how to do this are on the IEEE Web site. 46 BETTER SOFTWARE NOVEMBER 2008 www.StickyMinds.com http://www.nist.gov http://www.astqb.org http://www.StickyMinds.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Better Software - November 2008

Better Software - November 2008 Contents Mark Your Calendar Contributors eLightenment Technically Speaking Code Craft Test Connection Management Chronicles Getting Agile with User-Centered Design Google Web Toolkit Simple Summaries of Complex Projects Product Announcements 10 Things You Might Not Know About … The Last Word Ad Index

Better Software - November 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.