Department of Computer Science,

Virtual University of Pakistan

CS706 – Software Quality Assurance

Assignment 3 Fall 2010 Maximum Points: 100
Submission Date: 9th February 2011

Q1.
What is Generic testing process and explain with diagram. (Briefly)

a) Test planning and preparation

b) Test execution and related activities
c) Analysis and follow-up

Test planning and preparation

As you can see from the picture just shown to you that test planning and
preparation is the most important activity in the generic testing process for
systematic testing
Most of the key decisions about testing are made during this stage
a) Setting of goals for testing

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 Department of Computer Science,
Virtual University of Pakistan
b) Selecting an overall testing strategy
c) Preparing specific test cases
d) Preparing general test procedure

Test execution and related activities

It is difficult to manage the testing of a large system, considering numerous
test cases, problem reporting, and problem fixes
Just as we plan and manage a project by estimating resources, schedule,
cost, and so forth, we must plan the testing of a software product.
The planning activities enable us to do strategic thinking on what types of
tests should be executed within the constraints of time and budget
During the preparation of the test plan, as each test scenario is planned, we
must estimate the time it would take to test the system

Q2 (35) Points

What is automated testing? Discuss the different types of test cases.

The management and performance of test activities, to include the development

and execution of test scripts so as to verify test requirements, using an
automated test tool

Automated software testing addresses the challenge for today’s software

professionals who are faced with real schedule deadlines

The automation of test activities provides its greatest value in instances where
test scripts are repeated or where test script sub-routines are created and then
invoked repeatedly by a number of test scripts

The performance of integration test using an automated test tool for subsequent
incremental software builds provide great value

Each new build brings a considerable number of new tests, but also reuses
previously developed test scripts

Regression testing at the system test level represents another example of the
efficient use of automated testing

Regression tests seek to verify that the functions provided by the modified
system or software product perform as specified and that no unintended change
has occurred in the operation of the system or product

Automated testing can provide several benefits when implemented correctly and
follows a rigorous process

The test engineer must evaluate whether the potential benefits fit the required
improvement criteria and whether the pursuit of automated testing on a project
is still a logical fit, given the organizational needs

M. A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore. UAN: 042-111-880-880
 Department of Computer Science,
Virtual University of Pakistan

Test Cases

A test case describes how each test is to be conducted and also describes
input/output details Development of test cases assist in keeping track of what is
tested, when it is tested, and the outcome of the test If a defect is found in
testing, a documented test case makes it easy for the developer to re-create the
problem so that proper analysis can be done to fix it Selecting test cases is the
single most important task that software testers do. Improper selection can
result in testing too much, testing too little, or testing the wrong things
Intelligently weighing the risks and reducing the infinite possibilities to a
manageable effective set is where the magic is..When designing and running your test
cases, always run the test-to-pass cases first. It is important to see if the software
fundamentally works before you throw the kitchen sink at it. You may be surprised how
many bugs you find just by using the software normally

Types of Test Cases

Functional Test Cases

Computation and Boundary Analysis Test Cases
Cause-Effect and Logic Cases
Security Test Cases

Q3

Discuss the process related issues in software quality assurance

Lack of Management Support

Lack of User Involvement

Lack of Project Leadership

Lack of Measures of Success

Commitments consistently missed

Late delivery

Last minute crunches

M. A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore. UAN: 042-111-880-880
 Department of Computer Science,
Virtual University of Pakistan
Spiraling costs

No management visibility into progress

You’re always being surprised

Quality problems

Too much rework

Functions do not work correctly

Customer complaints after delivery

Poor morale

People frustrated

Is anyone in charge?

M. A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore. UAN: 042-111-880-880