Finding Success in System Testing

To achieve success in system testing-efficiently preventing important defects from reaching users-technical excellence is certainly necessary but it is not sufficient. Even more important are the skills to influence the project and team behavior to prevent defects from ever reaching the system test. Nathan Petschenik shares his insights into the technical skills you need for a successful system test. In addition, he explains how system test leaders can and must change project attitudes and influence behavior to significantly impact the quality of the software that reaches the system test team. Among other recommendations, Nathan explains how getting developers to fulfill their testing role is one way system test team leaders can influence quality on projects. By nurturing front-loaded quality-quality designed in and built in, not tested later-within the project, system testers can multiply their efforts and ensure a successful system test.

• Technical skills for system testing
• Importance of front-loaded quality to system testing
• Identifying and eliminating obstacles to front-loaded quality