A test organization defines who is responsible for what activity in the test process. In the context of testing, a well-defined test organization plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and effective execution of the testing process. The organization defines the test functions, test facilities and test activities.
Moreover, the organization specifies the competencies and knowledge required of the individuals involved in testing to ensure that they possess the requisite skills and expertise to carry out their respective roles. Overall, a well-structured test organization is fundamental to achieving successful testing outcomes.
Table of Contents
Specialized Positions in Test Organization
In a testing organization, it is essential to have specialized positions dedicated to ensuring the quality of the testing process. Although everyone is responsible for quality, having a dedicated team with specialized positions can improve testing efficiency and effectiveness. Some examples of specialized positions that may be found in a test organization include:
- Black Box Tester (also known as a Test Analyst)
- White Box Tester (Technical Test Analyst)
- Performance Test Engineer (Technical Test Analyst)
- Test Environment and Data Administrator
- Tools Developer
- Test Lead (Test Manager)
- Test Architect
- Test Automation Specialist (Technical Test Analyst)
- Security Test Engineer (Technical Test Analyst)
It should be noted that the positions described above are based on the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) guidelines and may vary depending on the industry or organization. Nonetheless, having specialized positions with clearly defined responsibilities can help ensure the testing process is executed efficiently and effectively.
Objectives of Test Organization
A test organization plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and reliability of a system or software product. Although the specific mission and objectives of a test organization can vary, some typical objectives include the following:
- Find Defects: The primary objective of a test organization is to identify and report defects that could potentially impact customer or user satisfaction. This involves thoroughly testing the system or software product and providing enough information about the defects to enable developers or other stakeholders to fix them before release.
- Manage Risk: A test organization also aims to manage risks associated with the quality of the system or software product by running necessary tests that relate to crucial quality risks. This helps to reduce the risk to an acceptable level before release.
- Alignment with Stakeholders: It is crucial for a test organization to ensure alignment with other project stakeholders regarding standard procedures, quality gates, service level agreements (SLAs), and hand-off points. This facilitates a smooth and efficient testing process and ensures everyone is on the same page concerning quality expectations and requirements.
- Provide Testing Information: A test organization should also provide the project team with important information about quality, testing, and readiness to release. This information enables stakeholders to make informed decisions about the system or software product.
- Assist Support Team: Besides finding critical defects, a test organization also helps uncover non-critical defects and establish workarounds for them. This assists customer support or the help desk in resolving user problems and communicating whether the defects should be corrected before release.
Overall, the objectives of a test organization are centered around ensuring the quality, reliability, and usability of a system or software product while managing risks and providing important information to stakeholders.