Managing the Testing Process: Practical Tools and Techniques for Managing Hardware and Software Testing |
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| Rex Black |
| August 2009, Wiley, Paperback, 694 pages, ISBN 0470404159
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| New edition of one of the most influential books on managing software and hardware testing In this new edition of his top-selling book, Rex Black walks you through the steps necessary to manage rigorous testing programs of hardware and software. The preeminent expert in his field, Mr. Black draws upon years of experience as president of both the International and American Software Testing Qualifications boards to offer this extensive resource of all the standards, methods, and tools you'll need. The book covers core testing concepts and thoroughly examines the best test management practices and tools of leading hardware and software vendors. Step-by-step guidelines and real-world scenarios help you follow all necessary processes and avoid mistakes. - Producing high-quality computer hardware and software requires careful, professional testing; Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition explains how to achieve that by following a disciplined set of carefully managed and monitored practices and processes
- The book covers all standards, methods, and tools you need for projects large and small
- Presents the business case for testing products and reviews the author's latest test assessments
- Topics include agile testing methods, risk-based testing, IEEE standards, ISTQB certification, distributed and outsourced testing, and more
- Over 100 pages of new material and case studies have been added to this new edition
If you're responsible for managing testing in the real world, Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition is the valuable reference and guide you need. |
| About the Author | | | Acknowledgments | | | Introduction | | | Ch. 1 | Defining What's on Your Plate: The Foundation of a Test Project | 1 | | Ch. 2 | Plotting and Presenting Your Course: The Test Plan | 45 | | Ch. 3 | Test System Architecture, Cases, and Coverage | 73 | | Ch. 4 | An Exciting Career in Entomology Awaits You: A Bug Tracking Database | 121 | | Ch. 5 | Managing Test Cases: The Test Tracking Spreadsheet | 179 | | Ch. 6 | Tips and Tools for Crunch Time: Managing the Dynamic | 213 | | Ch. 7 | Stocking and Managing a Test Lab | 249 | | Ch. 8 | Staffing and Managing a Test Team | 275 | | Ch. 9 | The Triumph of Politics: Organizational Challenges for Test Managers | 333 | | Ch. 10 | Involving Other Players: Distributing a Test Project | 375 | | Ch. 11 | Testing in Context: Economics, Life Cycles, and Process Maturity | 401 | | App. A | Hardware Testing Fundamentals: An Introduction for Software Testing Professionals | 451 | | App. B: Bibliography, Related Readings, and Other Resources | 463 | | Glossary | 471 | | Index | 479 |
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Review-Date: 11/20/2010 Rating: 2 Summary: Superficial, lacks attention to standards
I found this book lacking in detailed attention to established standards such as IEEE Std. 829–2008. In fact, while this IEEE standard is probably one of the most important and widely used regarding test, it is barely mentioned. And when it is, the references and illustrations are in error. Figure 2–8 on page 72, for example, claims to be a standard test plan "template" but is actually the OUTLINE for the master test plan but is otherwise not discussed except in one obtuse reference saying that if multiple levels of testing are planned, then this is a master test plan "as discussed previously". Previously?! One glancing mention back on page 51 doesn‘t qualify as a discussion. There is little more mention of master test plans on pages 74–75, but again just glancing. Thus, the Master Test Plan, is mentioned on only three pages out of over 600 and even then is barely enough verbage to warrant an index entry but nothing useful for a test manager or tester.
And about "templates". Forget it, not in this book. Where I found templates they were really outlines lacking any useful guidance about the outline entry, its value, intended content, example content, or tailoring.
Overall, even at 638 pages, including index, I found the book simply a lot of superficial conversation on a lot of topics but nothing really helpful to an experienced test manager or tester. Would it be of interest to someone wanting to read about testing? Maybe.
I did not read the book word–for–word. In fact, after glancing at it several times over a few days I opted to quickly return it to Amazon for a full refund. You might try the same or save the hassle and not even buy it in the first place.
Review-Date: 10/27/2010 Rating: 2 Summary: Hard Going/ Old School
I have struggled to get through this book. It‘s very old school, not very specific in places, and lacks agility required for today‘s market place. No doubt the practices contained within it HAVE been relevant, just not too sure how relevant they can be in today‘s faster paced environments – for example: the depths of `test reporting‘...who has time....and to who‘s benefit?
Review-Date: 5/24/2010 Rating: 2 Summary: Some Good Info, But Generally Lacks Focus, Organization
Managing the Testing Process by Rex Black is a mess to read. Throughout the book the reader will find term definitions that are incomplete, circular or otherwise absent of substance. As a whole the book lacks focus and much organization. There are some good nuggets of information to be mined by the determined reader. However, I cannot recommend this book to any tester or testing manager.
Review-Date: 3/15/2010 Rating: 5 Summary: Very comprehensive with concrete examples. Best testing book I have ever read!
This is the best test management book that I have ever read. The author provides concrete examples and illustrations where appropirate so that the reader can actually learn, not just be awed by how smart he is. I especially appreciated the scope – the book covers the test process from beginning to end and includes helpful and practical advice on stuff that is frequently omitted from testing books like the politics of testing.
Review-Date: 2/5/2010 Rating: 5 Summary: A Practical Resource for Test Managers and Leaders
In the third edition, Rex extends a work he started in 1998 with the first edition. At that time, and still today, practical books on software test management are in a minority of the books on software testing. This book has become a commonly referenced work on software test management for a reason – it is practical.
Two things I really like about this book are that it is very readable and it has broad coverage of test management topics. As a trainer of thousands of test managers, I have learned that many test managers are thrust into the role with little knowledge or preparation. So, my perspective is that test managers need to know the mechanics of the software test profession as well as the managerial and leadership aspects of the job. This book delivers well on both counts.
By reading and applying the information in this book, you will learn the testing process from test planning and building the test architecture to building a test team, measuring test results, and conveying those results in a value–added way. Rex covers topics that are very relevant including test outsourcing and the context of projects and software lifecycles. I also very much appreciate the discussion of dealing with the people issues in testing.
Just a note on the use of spreadsheets and vendor non–specific tool examples is that once you understand the structure of organizing testware, you can apply that structure in a specific test tool. Plus, not everyone owns a commercial test management tool. I know many people who manage a lot of test items using Excel.
I can highly recommend this book to test managers and leaders, as well as people who aspire to be in those roles.
Review-Date: 12/11/2009 Rating: 5 Summary: Updated and Modern
This book is perfect for beginners and experts. It ‘s updated for this new generation of testers.
Review-Date: 8/17/2009 Rating: 5 Summary: Must Have for all Test Managers
This review is mainly to mention the excellent support I received from Author Rex Black.
I had a technical problem with the old version of the ebook and found very little support from amazon to fix my problem. I contacted the author Rex Black and he personally made sure that the publisher was contacted and that my problem was resolved.
Regarding the old book it is one of the best books written on test management. I have been using this book since 2003. I have the hard copy version and the ebook version which serves as an excellent reference book on any test project.
Must have for any test manager.
Review-Date: 2/6/2009 Rating: 1 Summary: Opinion on Managing the Testing Process
Although the book is supposed to cover both hardware and software, the hardware coverage is negligible. I did not find it very informative with respect to software testing and not useful from the perspective of system testing.
Review-Date: 8/23/2007 Rating: 5 Summary: great book
I saw this book in my public library, and after reading it once i figured out that i can‘t stay without it! so i decided to buy it, because you will always find a situation where this book can help you to plan testing processes or manage an existing process.
Either if you are a software tester or a lead/manager this book can help a lot; highly reccomended!
Review-Date: 1/10/2007 Rating: 1 Summary: IT 645 College Book Review
This book does not go well with the class, I would suggest to any university that is using this book for IT 645 class, to find a different author.
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