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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• How to measure test progress: Every picture tells a story

  Seeing the big picture when it comes managing the progress of your software tests may require putting together all the little picture pieces. Continue Reading

• How does the role of project manager change in the cloud?

  Agile and ALM expert Yvette Francino discusses how the role of project manager may change when applications are developed and tested in the cloud. Continue Reading

• Agile project management using the Cynefin framework

  Learn how the Cynefin framework facilitates problem solving, Agile project management and teamwork. Continue Reading

• When to perform post-production testing

  In some cases, testing post-production is needed, according to expert Pete Walen. He discusses the potential situations where post-production testing is helpful and what expectations we can have for performance testing. Continue Reading

• Security testing for unvalidated redirects and forwards

  Security expert John Overbaugh gives security testers the information they need in order to ensure the Web application code that they’re responsible for is protected. Continue Reading

• Integration testing: What are the challenges?

  Expert Pete Walen describes common problems with integration testing and offers insights into implementing it correctly, so that both internal and external users can benefit.Continue Reading

• Exploring integration testing in the Agile development lifecycle

  Agile expert Lisa Crispin explores the various meanings and offers tips to testers on how to work integration testing into the Agile development lifecycle.Continue Reading

• Streamlining user acceptance testing (UAT) with Agile

  Organizations that implement successful user acceptance testing can greatly reduce errors and business risks.Continue Reading

• Agile testing quadrants: Guiding managers and teams in test strategies

  Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the four Agile testing quadrants and how they can guide managers and development teams in creating a test strategy.Continue Reading

• Software development bugs: How to identify and prevent them

  With strong Agile practices such as unit testing, code reviews and proper attention to requirements, bugs can be prevented or found early in the application lifecycle.Continue Reading

• Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time

  In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect.Continue Reading

• Participating in conferences and workshops: What will I learn?

  When attending classes, conference and workshops, attendees may have unrealistic expectations of what they will gain, or how they will learn useful information. Expert Peter Walen offers some tips on how to actively participate in the learning ...Continue Reading

• Exploratory testing and regression testing in continuous integration

  Expert Lisa Crispin explains how and when to implement exploratory testing, automated regression testing and manual regression tests in an Agile development environment.Continue Reading

• The whole-team approach to Agile development: Examples and benefits

  Lisa Crispin continues in this second tip in the series by giving real-life examples and benefits gained from practicing the whole-team approach on Agile development teams.Continue Reading

• Agile software development: Tips for writing testable user stories

  Testing pressures are always high on Agile projects. In this article we explore some of the ways adding clarity to stories can help make testing easier for all parties involved.Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques for tracking changes to software requirements

  In this tip, requirements expert Sue Burk explains different techniques and tools that can be used to track changes to the requirement itself as well as changes to the attributes of the requirement.Continue Reading

• Regression vs. risk-based testing: Managing complexity

  In this tip, consultant Vasudeva Naidu describes in detail the steps necessary to implement risk-based testing in your organization to ensure your regression test strategy is solid and successful.Continue Reading

• Managing change requests to your application

  In this tip, we look at end user requests, and the process to prioritize the requests for IT, so they know where to focus their work efforts.Continue Reading

• Application security: Protecting application availability, data confidentiality and integrity

  Network security and application security are both important in keeping your applications safe from hackers. In this tip, security engineer John Overbaugh focuses on application security, which is needed to protect the confidentiality, availability ...Continue Reading

• Understanding the dependencies between requirements in a Scrum environment

  Prioritizing user stories for each iteration in a Scrum environment can be challenging if the project owner does not understand the dependencies between requirements. In this expert response, Lisa Crispin shares best practices for prioritizing user ...Continue Reading

• How user stories help to define software requirements

  User stories play an important role when defining requirements and they also contribute to living documentation during the software development process. In this expert response, Lisa Crispin offers key practices for ensuring that requirements align ...Continue Reading

• Mapping software requirements to test cases

  Even though you must have at least one test case per requirement, it's possible not to have a one-to-one mapping between each requirement and test case. In this response, expert Sue Burk explains how it is important to trace the relationship between...Continue Reading

• Tracking changes to requirements in Agile development

  All development teams need to track requirements changes, but depending on the software development lifecycle and overall ALM process, the best approach to change tracking may not be the same across the board. In this response, expert Mike Jones ...Continue Reading

• Attracting the right Agile software developers

  A lot of software development job candidates will claim to have Agile skills, but are they just throwing around buzzwords? In this tip, consultant Catherine Powell will help you find the qualified candidates who live out the values and practices of ...Continue Reading

• Embedded software testing: Five messaging event styles

  In testing embedded systems, timing can often cause trouble. In this tip, consultant Scott Allman describes the five different types of event styles that can occur when two events are executed. A good test plan will cover each of those event styles ...Continue Reading

• How to gain acceptance of organizational change

  Any organizational change can meet with internal resistance. In this response, SSQ Site Editor Yvette Francino offers advice on how to win buy-in from those affected through honest communication and continuous improvement.Continue Reading

• Manual testing vs. automated testing: A decision point

  Automation in a test environment can be expensive and doesn’t always yield a high return. In fact, a high percentage of automation efforts fail. In this tip, Vasudeva Naidu gives advice on key factors that will lead to success in your automation ...Continue Reading

• Waterfall vs. Agile development: A case study

  Two projects very similar in scope were executed by the same project team for the same users. The first project used a waterfall methodology and resulted in missed deadlines and failure to deliver user requirements. The second used an Agile ...Continue Reading

• Agile ALM tools: How they differ from traditional lifecycle management tools

  Software consultant Nari Kannan describes the differences between agile application lifecycle management (ALM) tools and traditional lifecycle management software. Agile ALM tools are more tightly integrated, easier to use, supportive to distributed...Continue Reading

• Test automation for your team: How to begin

  Initiating test automation on your project team may seem challenging, or even overwhelming. Fortunately, expert Karen Johnson has been through this process and has some insights into how to best begin. She offers some questions you can ask of your ...Continue Reading

• Specialized testing for your enterprise application

  In this tip, Judith Myerson describes examples of five types of testing for your enterprise applications: cloud testing, user acceptance testing, modular testing, agile testing and incremental testing. Myerson gives a brief overview of each type of ...Continue Reading

• Application development for mobile phones: Testing across different devices

  New mobile phone models enter the market all the time, and it seems daunting to perform application testing on the various devices available. Expert Karen Johnson carefully examines the factors developers must consider and offers strategies on how ...Continue Reading

• Functional requirements and nonfunctional requirements in software engineering explained

  Clearly defining both functional and nonfunctional requirements in software engineering projects is important from both a business perspective and a performance perspective. In this expert response, Sue Burk offers definitions and examples for both ...Continue Reading

• Eight steps for a successful software release

  Have you done everything to prepare for a successful software release? Software project manager Kay Diller describes eight things you can do to ensure your deployment will go smoothly. From creating your team to being prepared with a back-out plan, ...Continue Reading

• Applying lean concepts to software testing

  If we're going to use a factory analogy for software development, shouldn't we at least study the techniques modern factories use? In this tip, software quality expert Matt Heusser describes concepts used first for lean manufacturing, which are now ...Continue Reading

• What is a test case? What is a requirement?

  After exploring the definition of a test case by surveying test experts, authors and students, consultant Robin Goldsmith learns that interpretations remain ambiguous and varied. Similarly, the level of detail thought to be needed to define ...Continue Reading

• Strategies for minimizing regression defects

  Regression defects, those unexpected defects that result from a fix of another defect, are often the most challenging to find and fix. Expert John Overbaugh describes why these defects are so challenging and offers up techniques, such as automation...Continue Reading

• Differences in Agile and traditional software project management

  In this expert response, some of the differences between project management in traditional environments and agile environments are explained. One of the biggest differences is the flexibility of scope changes that is welcomed in agile environments.Continue Reading

• The importance of critical thinking in software test

  Even though there are numerous definitions for the term "software testing," there is common ground. Testers need to use critical thinking skills when diving into the testing of a software application. In this tip, expert Chris McMahon explains ways ...Continue Reading

• What does "change management" mean in software development and QA?

  Change management, sometimes called configuration management, has a few different meanings in the software development community, from team changes to code changes, explains expert Yvette Francino.Continue Reading

• Six tours for exploratory testing the business district of your application

  Exploratory testing is sometimes thought to be "directionless testing", but James Whitaker's new book suggests that exploratory testing, is more structured than it is credited for. Exploratory testing is filled with numerous tours or testing ...Continue Reading

• A software expert's heuristic for regression testing

  Often, regression testing is what stands between a product in a test lab versus a product in the hands of our users – so we don't want to take longer than we need – but we don't want to haphazardly release a product before its ready.Continue Reading

• Scrum Master or Scrum project management, is there a difference?

  A Scrum Master is commonly mistaken for a project manager who works in a Scrum environment. Learn what distinguishes a Scrum Master in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Using Fist of Five, Planning Poker to reach Agile team consensus

  In these tips, consensus-building tools such as Fist of Five and Planning Poker are introduced. Even when these tools are used, the team must decide how they are going to handle a stale-mate condition and move forward on decisions.Continue Reading

• Why use POST vs. GET to keep applications secure

  Although POST and GET HTTP requests essentially perform the same command on a Web server, a security expert says there are inherent dangers in using one over the other. Learn why one type of processing request provides more security for your Web ...Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of centralizing a QA or software test team?

  Is it better to centralize a test team or have testers paired organizationally with developers? There can be advantages to either approach. This expert response examines some considerations and an alternative that will allow your quality team to ...Continue Reading

• Who determines the appropriate severity or priority for a defect?

  There are often differences of opinion on the definition of severity or priority of a defect. The bottom line is determining when and if the defect will be fixed. Factors that need to be considered are customer urgency and time required to fix and ...Continue Reading

• Nine ways to evaluate automated software testing tools

  Evaluate automated software testing tools more thoroughly with these tips for analyzing cost, support, total cost of ownership, usability and more. This tip suggests questions to ask about each attribute of a tool and a vendor's support for it.Continue Reading

• Problems caused by skipping analysis stage of SDLC

  A requirements expert explains the possible pitfalls of skipping the analysis phase in the software life cycle development (SDLC).Continue Reading

• Calculating mean time to failure in performance testing

  Calculating MTTF (mean time to failure) can be a difficult for testers in order to develop a performance test pass as there are multiple steps. This expert tip will guide you through process,Continue Reading

• Winning responses to "Why is QA always the bottleneck?"

  Executives are notorious for criticizing QA and test pros, often labeling them as the "bottleneck" of software projects. Learn appropriate responses to upper management's unfair and difficult inquiries in this useful tip.Continue Reading

• Defining report requirements with use cases

  This tip offers a new and interesting way to go about defining and reporting requirements for use cases. There are a number of details that need to be attended to in defining requirements such as taking a look at users and then constructing use ...Continue Reading

• How requirements use cases facilitate the SDLC

  Learn software use case processes and techniques that result in better application requirements in this tip. Takeaways include use case diagrams and user acceptance test case examples.Continue Reading

• Defining core software regression tests

  Regression testing is defined through software purpose addressed, the common key strategy is to automate the test phase. according to software testing expert John Overbaugh.Continue Reading

• How to deliver software with an SDLC iterative model

  The phases of iterative SDLCs come together to build better software applications faster, as long as the team avoids some common development and planning mistakes.Continue Reading

• Expert shows seven ways to improve your project management abilities

  Project management offices can benefit when the team has a diverse portfolio of skills. Learn how to become a better project manager by reading these seven suggestions, which range from developing talents and group leaders to better assessing ...Continue Reading

• Differentiating between Functional and Nonfunctional Requirements

  Many of the difficulties encountered in defining requirements relate to the functional-nonfunctional distinction. As so often happens, some of those difficulties are things of which people are aware, largely realizing after-the-fact that ...Continue Reading

• Defining requirements during software project feasibility analysis

  There are at least two key points in a software project when requirements should be defined. One point people often miss is during feasibility analysis, and failure to define requirements at this stage can doom a project.Continue Reading

• What is test granularity?

  Test granularity is the level of detail at which your software tests and test cases address your project.Continue Reading

• Web application security testing checklist

  Testing your Web application security is something that needs be taken seriously. The best way to be successful is to prepare in advance and know what to look for. Here's an essential elements checklist to help you get the most out of your Web ...Continue Reading

• How to avoid requirements creep

  Despite all the attention placed on defining requirements, creep continues to plague software projects. Learn how a different approach to requirements can curtail that creep.Continue Reading

• Making requirements walkthroughs more effective (and fun)

  Do you have to twist arms to get people to attend your requirements review sessions? It doesn't have to be this way. Learn how to use a simulation model to get everyone engaged in the walkthrough.Continue Reading

• Template for requirements use cases

  A user is looking for a template for writing requirements use cases. Robin Goldsmith walks through a few interpretations of this question.Continue Reading

• Formulating test status reports based on daily status criteria

  A user requests help deriving the daily status criteria for the test execution of a software project, with status criteria including test execution criteria, test case failure rate and bug rate.Continue Reading

• Using proactive test design methods to catch requirements issues early

  Proactive test design allows QA testers to identify requirements and design problems at an earlier stage than with traditional test cases.Continue Reading

• Is a requirements freeze in a software project a bad idea?

  Learn why imposing a requirements freeze in an application project is usually a misguided idea.Continue Reading

• How testers can convince developers of software errors

  If a tester fully understands the software errors found and can show the impact of them, then he is more likely to get developers to fix them.Continue Reading

• Integration testing: Is it black box or white box testing?

  Integration testing of software systems can be black box or white box testing. Learn how each can be used in this Ask the Expert Q&A with testing expert Mike Kelly.Continue Reading

• Elicit software requirements using a variety of techniques

  Software requirements elicitation can be challenging, but you can achieve success if you have strong personal skills and use a variety of techniques, says expert Ken Willett.Continue Reading

• How to prevent HTTP response splitting

  HTTP response splitting is a serious Web attack that can wreak havoc on your Web applications. Security expert Ramesh Nagappan explains how this attack works and what professionals can do to prevent this exploit.Continue Reading

• Use cases and SRS for requirements gathering

  Before comparing use cases and software requirements specifications, you should know what each is. Requirements expert Robin Goldsmith explains how use cases and SRS work and how to use them for requirements engineering.Continue Reading

• How to match the test environment to the production environment

  Testers often find a gulf between test results in a test environment and test results in a production environment. Testing expert John Overbaugh offers strategies for ensuring that test results in different environments match.Continue Reading

• Running UAT and system testing in parallel

  Conducting user acceptance testing and system testing at the same time may or may not be a good choice. Expert Baher Malek discusses the factors that testers need to consider when attempting a parallel UAT process.Continue Reading

• Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship, Chapter 1 -- What Is Clean Code?

  Agile software development calls on developers to write clean code, according to Robert "Uncle Bob" Martin. This free chapter introduces the concepts and methods programmers can adopt to write truly clean code.Continue Reading

• How to estimate change requests in requirements

  Software requirements are often subject to change; using a sound estimation process helps greatly to manage change. Requirements expert Betty Luedke explains, in detail, how to implement good estimation techniques.Continue Reading

• Use cases: Who writes them, what data do you include?

  Typically a business analyst writes the use cases for a software project. But who writes them doesn't matter as much as what is included in them, says expert Robin Goldsmith.Continue Reading

• Test metrics and use case coverage during testing

  When using use cases to drive testing, it's important to understand that there are no industry standards for coverage. Testing expert Mike Kelly explains how testers should approach dubious metrics.Continue Reading

• Scrum and requirements gathering

  Scrum, an agile methodology, offers great advantages for certain software project teams. Expert Betty Luedke explains the basic tenets of Scrum and how they affect requirements engineering.Continue Reading

• The benefits of user acceptance testing

  User acceptance testing is an important part of the software development lifecycle. Expert Karen N. Johnson explains why UAT is beneficial for testers, users and virtually everyone involved in a software project.Continue Reading

• Software testers: Identity crisis or delusions of grandeur?

  Without a clear understanding of what software testers do, it's only natural that people try to interpret what they do from their job title. The problem is the number of different titles people have creates confusion, says Scott Barber.Continue Reading

• The scope of user acceptance testing

  User acceptance testing is ineffective if testers don't allocate the proper time and resources. Expert Karen N. Johnson explains how to avoid shortchanging UAT.Continue Reading

• Testability requirements and verification work

  Testability and verifiability are a category of nonfunctional requirements. Expert Roxanne Miller explains how these concepts fit into software requirements engineering.Continue Reading

• Testing for performance, part 1: Assess the problem space

  In the first article of this series on testing for performance, Mike Kelly outlines ways for you to understand your content and the system and figure out where to start testing.Continue Reading

• Granularity in test case design

  Test case granularity is a complex issue in test case design. Expert John Overbaugh explains how to determine how detailed your test cases should be.Continue Reading

• Prioritizing software testing on little time

  Too many test cases and too little time? Expert Scott Barber explains how to prioritize testing.Continue Reading

• Requirements gathering for payroll application

  Engineering requirements for a payroll or similar application demands careful consideration. Expert Rob Apmann explains how to approach this complicated task.Continue Reading

• Testers' involvement in requirements gathering important

  In this increasingly complex software development era, it is important to include testing as early in the project as possible. And that means starting with requirements gathering.Continue Reading

• The state of performance testing

  Some might say 2007 was the year the software industry started taking performance testing seriously. In this month's Peak Performance column, Scott Barber takes a look at what happened in the performance testing field in 2007 that made that so, and ...Continue Reading

• Usability testing vs. user acceptance testing

  Usability testing and user acceptance testing may sound similar, but these tests have different focuses and are executed at different times in the SDLC. Expert Karen N. Johnson explains how these tests work.Continue Reading

• How to define the scope of functional security testing

  With a many internal threats originating from applications, functional security testing is one of the most reliable ways to identify internal security vulnerabilities.Continue Reading

• Cracking passwords the Web application way

  Don't make the mistake of thinking your Web site is secure just because it uses SSL. If you don't have proper login controls in place, attackers can crack passwords and get into the application.Continue Reading

• Five steps for performing an effective software product review

  Review or inspection is an important activity in any project implementation. Performing a good review of the developed product, along with capturing metrics, helps in building a quality product. In this member-submitted article, Murugan Srinivasa ...Continue Reading

• How to write an effective test report

  This member-submitted tip provides a guideline for essential information that should be included in a test report.Continue Reading

• Don't mistake user acceptance testing for acceptance testing

  Despite the many references that concur on the definition of acceptance testing, people still get confused. Scott Barber clarifies things in this month's Peak Performance column.Continue Reading

• How to create a testing scorecard

  A software testing scorecard can be a good tool for managing a team's progress. Expert John Overbaugh explains how to create a testing scorecard and that fits yours and the customer's needs.Continue Reading

• Watch the metrics during your load tests

  In this member-submitted tip, Steve Cam says monitoring the metrics during your load tests will help you detect performance-related issues.Continue Reading

• Free load and performance testing tools

  What is a good choice for a free load testing tool? Expert Dan Cornell offers his advice and explains how to get started with your testing tool.Continue Reading

• Who does what in a Testing Center of Excellence?

  With a Testing Center of Excellence (TCE) an organization can improve its software testing. Learn how and what each TCE participant does in this article from David W. JohnsonContinue Reading

• How to structure a software requirements document

  Effective requirements documentation is essential for any good software project. Expert Karl E. Wiegers explains how to structure your software requirements documents.Continue Reading

• Test plan and test strategy

  Software testing is helped by a good test plans, strategies and logistics. Expert Scott Barber explains what these aspects of the testing methodology are.Continue Reading