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Testing In Iterative Product Development Environment
Shivageeta S. Choodi
cshivageetha@novell.com
Software Consultant
Novell Bangalore
6 Annual International Software Testing Conference 2006
th
Novell Software Development India Pvt. Ltd.
No.49/1 and 49/3, Garvebhavipalya,
7 mile, Hosur Road
th
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Software Testing in Iterative Model
QAI-STC 2006
1
Abstract
Most of the software product companies are adopting iterative model for product
development because of the following reasons,
At any given point of time there is a working model of the product.
Increased control over project progress.
Customers are more confident as companies can demonstrate proof of concept in
the earlier stages of product development life cycle.
Iterative model demands a new process for product development and testing. This
study is very critical to Novell, as many of Novell products are adopting iterative model for
the development. This paper deals with the testing processes followed in the industry and
Novell for iterative model of product development and challenges faced by the test teams
in adapting to this new model and changes required from the testing point of view.
Software Testing in Iterative Model
QAI-STC 2006
2
Contents
Testing In Iterative Product Development Environment..........................................................0
Abstract...................................................................................................................................1
1 Background..........................................................................................................................3
2 Introduction to the Iterative Model........................................................................................3
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3.1 Unit Test Process................................................................................................4
3.2 Component Test Process....................................................................................4
3.3 Integration Test Process.....................................................................................4
3.4 System Integration Test Process........................................................................5
3.5 Acceptance Test Process...................................................................................5
3.6 Test Automation..................................................................................................5
3.7 Defect Fixing and Verification.............................................................................5
4 Testing Approaches Adopted for Iterative Model at Novell..................................................6
4.1 Approach A.........................................................................................................6
4.2 Approach B.........................................................................................................7
4.3 Approach C.........................................................................................................9
4.4 Summary of the Three Approaches..................................................................11
5 General Observations........................................................................................................12
6 Best Practices....................................................................................................................12
7 Challenges and Suggestions.............................................................................................13
8 Testing Benefits in the Iterative Model...............................................................................14
9 Conclusions.......................................................................................................................14
References............................................................................................................................15
About the Author...................................................................................................................16
Appendix I - Abbreviations....................................................................................................17
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Software Testing in Iterative Model
QAI-STC 2006
3
1 Background
Iterative model for product development is becoming more popular and widely used.
The conventional testing processes are not suitable for the iterative model. Therefore, test
engineers need to adopt new test strategies for products developed on iterative model and
evolve tailor-made testing processes.
To harness the potential of product development in an iterative environment a
systematic study was carried out to understand the development model and testing process
followed in the industry and at Novell
Different product stakeholders like developers, Integration test engineers, and
system integration test engineers were interviewed, to understand the testing process and
its implications on products adopting iterative model.
2 Introduction to the Iterative Model
Iterative model is an agile methodology. It advocates delivering working software in
short, consistent, and frequent intervals. It addresses most of the complex and high-risk
items early in the development cycle.
In iterative development, the project plan arranges the product development into
small releases, and mandates continuing integration of all coded components, incremental
builds, and periodic validation of refined requirements and design. Each of the iteration
follows a model derived from a V-model / Waterfall model, that is, each iteration has
requirements analysis, design, coding, and testing phases.
The following figure depicts a typical iterative model for software development:
Figure -1
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