Method of operation
Estimating the effort for the total test process is done early on in the project and is based on the test
strategy. Often, not all knowledge of the test object is available at this point. As a consequence, the accuracy of the
estimate is limited. The size and/or complexity of the test object may change during the project. Furthermore, the test
environments and any test tools represent a (significant) cost item. It is important for the test manager to make it
clear to the stakeholders that the estimate is based on a number of assumptions and therefore will have to be detailed
– and possibly adapted – later on. A possible solution is to use margins to represent the initial estimate for a master
test plan.
The estimate in the master test plan constitutes the framework for the estimates per test level (e.g. system test,
users acceptance test, and production acceptance test).
Products
The estimated effort for the total test process, including assumptions, laid down in the master test plan.
Techniques
Tools
Planning and progress monitoring tool (spreadsheets for estimating the test effort and for Test Point Analysis).
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