1.4.2. Test Process in Context
Testing is not performed in isolation. Test activities are an integral part of the development processes
carried out within an organization. Testing is also funded by stakeholders and its final goal is to help fulfill
the stakeholders’ business needs. Therefore, the way the testing is carried out will depend on a number
of contextual factors including:
• Stakeholders (needs, expectations, requirements, willingness to cooperate, etc.)
• Team members (skills, knowledge, level of experience, availability, training needs, etc.)
• Business domain (criticality of the test object, identified risks, market needs, specific legal
regulations, etc.)
• Technical factors (type of software, product architecture, technology used, etc.)
• Project constraints (scope, time, budget, resources, etc.)
• Organizational factors (organizational structure, existing policies, practices used, etc.)
• Software development lifecycle (engineering practices, development methods, etc.)
• Tools (availability, usability, compliance, etc.)
These factors will have an impact on many test-related issues, including: test strategy, test techniques
used, degree of test automation, required level of coverage, level of detail of test documentation,
reporting, etc.