Method of operation

Based on the planning of the system development process, the test strategy and estimated effort, an overall planning for the total test process is created. Factors observed while understanding the assignment, such a whether a time, money or quality-driven project is involved, have an impact on the planning. The start and end date and deliverables are specifi ed for each test level. In the Planning phase of the various test levels, the detailed planning is elaborated. The overall planning must at least contain:

• Activities to be executed (at the phase level per test level)
• Relationships with and dependencies on other activities (in or out of the test process and between the various test levels)
• Time to be invested in each test level
• Required and available resources (people and infrastructure)
• Required and available lead time
• Deliverables.

If requested by the client, the financial consequences of the choices made must be visualised in a financial planning. Think of costs for (internal and external) personnel, training, workplaces, test environments and test tools.

The aim must be to ensure that the test execution activities for the various test levels match up or have a controlled overlap (overlap testing). When planning choices involving risks must be made for the sake of milestones, the test manager must report and explain this.

A quality-related aspect of planning is when a test level is completed. The test manager therefore has an important role in aligning the entry and exit criteria of the successive test levels. For an explanation of the relation between acceptance criteria and exit criteria, refer to Determine The Planning (AST).

Feedback

The test manager provides feedback on the combination of the selected test strategy, estimated effort and planning to the client for approval or adjustment. The client can opt for better risk coverage in exchange for more test time and funds, or vice versa. The previous steps for Strategy, Estimating and Planning are repeated, if necessary. To facilitate communication, the test manager refers back to the original test goals.

Furthermore, he describes the use of tolerances in test execution with the client. These are boundaries within which the test manager does not have to ask the client for permission. Often a tolerance of 5% is used for the estimate, for instance.

Products

• The overall planning for the total test process, laid down in the master test plan
• Entry and exit criteria per test level
• Strategy, estimated effort and planning with feedback from the client
• Optional: Tolerances for strategy, estimated effort and planning.

Tools

• Planning and progress monitoring tools
• Workflow tool.