Guideline: Distribution Over The Phases

When using TMap, the test process is split up into seven phases, and many clients will be interested in the estimate per phase in addition to the estimate for the entire test process.

TPA gives an estimate for the entire test process, with the exception of test plan creation (Planning phase).

In principle, for the phases Control and Setting up and maintaining infrastructure, the number of hours is estimated that was calculated on the basis of the number of primary test hours using the supplement percentage (supplement hours). These supplement hours must be divided between the two phases.

The primary test hours are divided over the other phases (Preparation, Specification, Execution, and Completion). The distribution of the primary test hours over the phases may naturally vary per organisation, and even within one organisation. A distribution applicable to the organisation can be obtained by analysing completed test projects. To make such an analysis, one must have access to experience figures for the test projects already realised.

Distribution of primary test hours

Practical experience with test point analysis in combination with TMap yields the following distribution of the test effort over the various phases:

Preparation	10%
Specification	40%
Execution	45%
Completion	5%

Please refer to Estimation Based On Ratios for other distributions based on practical experience.