The Psychology of Software Testing

The Psychology of Testing

•  Building the software requires a different mindset from testing the software.
•  Building is aimed to solve problems with testing is to look for defects (find problems) in software.
•  Programmers and Testers are two separate roles, although programmers do test code.
•  Test independence avoids author bias and is often more effective at finding defects and failures.
•  Developers view : Testing is the process to prove that software works correctly.
•  QA view : Testing is the process to prove that software does not work.
•  Manager’s View : Testing is the process to detect the defects and minimize the risk associated with the residual defects.

Why do we test? 

1.  Primarily to find faults in the software
2.  This can be perceived as being a destructive process, not constructive
3.  How does this fit with the mind set of the developer and tester ?

 Tester-Developer relationships:

Communication is the Key !!

1.  Must be constructive not destructive
2.  Developers must inform testers of any changes made to the system
3.  Testers must report problems to developers clearly and concisely.

It is a two-way process !!

Test Independence:

Independent testing is more effective.

1.  Author should not test their own work.
2.  The author should not test their own work

-Assumptions made are carried into testing

-People see what they want to see

-There can be emotional attachment with the product

-We’re human

Levels of Independence

1. Where test cases are
2.  designed by the person who writes the software under test (v.v.low)
3.  designed by another person(low)
4.  designed by people from another department (medium)
5.  designed by people from another organisation (very medium)
6.  not chosen by a person (v.v.high)

Testers characteristics:

1.     Methodical
2.     Happy when they are finding faults
3.     Under-valued by the organisation
4.     Not always intended to be a tester
5.     Good communicators
6.     Need to be multi-talented
7.     Tact & diplomacy are essential

Developer characteristics :

1.  Specialized
2.  Creative
3.  Valued by the organisation
4.  Trained
5.  Sensitive to criticism