Improving Test Process based on TPI and TPI-Next

One of the topics presented in SOFTEC2010 is TPI and TPI-Next. TPI is stand for Test Process Improvement and TPI-Next is the evolution of the TPI. TPI-Next is also known as Business Driven Test Process Improvement (BDTPI) by some people as it is driven by business goal.

The model is looks at test process from different points of view, which are called Key Areas. Examination of each Key Area leads to classification of the test process into certain Levels of maturity. Checkpoints are assigned to each Level to ensure that the classification into levels is done objectively. Lastly, Improvement suggestions were added to the model for suggesting on how to achieve a certain level.

A better understanding of TPI model was achieved from attending the workshopduring SOFTEC2010. Lee Copeland has shared on TPI and Graham Bath shared on TPI-Next. Both of the trainers are very experienced and well-versed in applying TPI and TPI-Next with their clients worldwide.

SOFTEC2010: Bridging the Gap (19 - 21 July 2010)

 SOFTEC2010 is an eye-opener for me. I've heard about Software Testing Conference (SOFTEC) since 2008, it's first year being held in Malaysia, but only this year I'm able to participate. For that, I'm very grateful with my company for sponsoring my ticket and MSTB for given me another ticket for FREE so that I can bring one of my team member to the conference.

There are 2 main objectives I've planned to achieve from SOFTEC2010:
1) Process Improvement
2) Testing Techniques

Yes, I'm happy to say that I did achieved both of the objectives and most importantly, being there, listened to the experts and participate in the workshops & tutorials were highly valuable experience that can't be gained just  by reading.

Among the speakers I liked most were Lee Copeland & Graham Bath, both sharing about TPI and TPI-Next, Rex Black on Risk-based Testing, Dave Miller on his experience in applying TDD in FedEx and Chris Rupp on Requirement Engineering.

I can't wait for SOFTEC2011.... and expecting more goodies to come.

MSTB has done great work in organizing Software Testing Conference 2010 (SOFTEC2010).

Is anyone can be a Software Tester?

Yes and No, depending on many conditions, scenarios and the level of testing effort requires.

If you want to hire a full-time Software Tester, you need to be very selective and stringent in the selection process. Their skills, knowledge and experiences must matched with your team needs to progress. Above all, is their personality and character, either the candidates able to integrate with your team and development team smoothly. For fresh grads, the main criteria will be their attitude and personality that we safely feel confident they can be mould to become a tester.

Bug Tracking Tools

I've experienced with quite a few Open Source tools for tracking purposes such as Eventum, Mantis and Bugzilla. All these tools is useful on it's own way, depending on what features you are looking at. I've summarize below on the features for each tools.

1.  Eventum

Eventum is a user-friendly and flexible issue tracking system that can be used by a support department to track incoming technical support requests, or by a software development team to quickly organize tasks and bugs. Eventum is used by the MySQL AB Technical Support team, and has allowed us to dramatically improve our response times.

2. Mantis
Mantis is an easily deployable, web based bugtracker to aid product bug tracking. It requires PHP, MySQL and a web server.

3. Bugzilla
Bugzilla is a "Defect Tracking System" or "Bug-Tracking System". Defect Tracking Systems allow individual or groups of developers to keep track of outstanding bugs in their product effectively.

New chapter in 2010

I started new year with new company, new position and new responsibilities...

 Now I am a Software QA Manager for a Swedish-based company where the R&D department is only 2 years and I'm the first Software QA. My first task is to get at least 1 Software Tester to handle on the existing project so that I can focus on the other important things.