Many organizations have conflicting goals and objectives for testing software. For example, some organizations believe the purpose of testing is to show that the software works. We know from over three decades of experience that testing can only be used to show the presence of defects, not prove their absence.

Further compounding the problem is a lack of understanding of the levels of testing and the different methods that are appropriate at each level as illustrated below:

Level

Objectives

Performed by

Environment

Test Methods

Unit or Module Testing

Integration Testing

Validation Testing

Regression Testing

Acceptance Testing

One way to improve the effectiveness of testing involves using a test method called Act-Like-A-Customer testing (or ALAC) which is based on the following simple principle:

By working with your Software QA staff, I can help them improve the effectiveness of the tests they write by learning the technique of Act Like A Customer testing. In this way, the tests they develop are more likely to uncover problems your customers would likely find.

Improving the effectiveness of testing helps improve Customer Satisfaction and therefore provides a significant return on investment.