Risk-Based Testing Case Study

RBCS has launched risk-based testing for Computer Associates (CA) at various locations around the world.   To do so, RBCS consultants applied their proven three-phase jump-start engagement approach:

• Initial Period: Work with the client to select the pilot project, identify the key champions for risk-based testing, customize the risk analysis templates and processes, and study pilot project information (e.g., requirements specifications).
• Workshop: A one-day, hands-on training program that discusses the application of risk-based testing throughout the software lifecycle, and gives participants the opportunity to apply these ideas to a realistic project.
• Pilot: Four days of working on-site doing risk analysis on an actual project, teaching-through-doing with all the important project stakeholders and participants.  The key champions for risk-based testing get side-by-side coaching and assistance from an RBCS consultant, identifying key quality risks, assessing their level of risk, and determine the appropriate mitigation steps.  

Participants in the process included: technical stakeholders such as project leaders, developers, and testers; business stakeholders such as product managers and technical support; and, senior business managers. Deliverables for risk-based testing engagements include:

• Complete risk analysis for the pilot project, with quality risks identified, their levels assessed, and test-related mitigation actions assigned.
• Valuable by-products like projects risks, test-blocking questions and issues, and defects in input documents like requirements specifications.
• Customized risk-based testing process documents, adapted for the sequential, iterative, and/or agile lifecycles used in the organization.
• Customized risk-based testing templates, including customized likelihood and impact scales and tunable test mitigation intensity scales.

As always, this risk-based jump-start was an action-filled event.  The CA stakeholders were pleased with the results.  CA reports that risk-based has allowed them to “allocate test effort intelligently within constraints, pinpoint potentially serious problems that required remediation early in testing, respond flexibly to reductions in available test time and re­sources, and optimize quality.”  Click here to read more about this case study.