System Testing With an Attitude [Paperback]

Nathan Petschenik (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . this is by far the best game in town on the subject of system testing."

-- R.L. Glass -- Reviews.com

From the Back Cover

Quality cannot be tested into software; it must be designed in and built in. Understanding and accepting this simple principle can be your first step to preventing serious system defects from reaching users.

Projects that routinely rely on the system-test team to uncover major implementation mistakes are bound to fail. The system-test phase occurs too late in the life cycle to allow developers to make major improvements to the overall quality of the product. Project teams striving for high-quality products with rapid time to market need to adopt the attitude that it is unacceptable for software that does not meet requirements to even reach the system-test phase.

System Testing with an Attitude provides ways to cultivate productive relationships between developers and system testers and stresses the importance of identifying and delineating the responsibilities of each group. The approach discussed in the book can prevent problems in the system before system testing even begins.

However, changing attitudes and allocating responsibilities are only part of the formula for system-testing success. The system-test team needs a technical and procedural framework to achieve excellence in performing its allocated responsibilities. Project teams that are ready to improve their process will find in this book detailed technical and procedural solutions for achieving excellence in system testing, including a methodology that provides a step-by-step approach for integrating system-test team activities throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC).

Testers, project managers, and developers will find solutions in System Testing with an Attitude to help them

• set the right priorities for system testing and developer-led testing

• understand the users of the software

• reduce system-test costs and increase productivity by methodically applying the right techniques and tools

• manage the "end game" of the software development process effectively

• institute a comprehensive measurement program that keeps progress visible and accountability clear

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Dorset House (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932633463
• ISBN-13: 978-0932633460
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,080,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical! Intelligent & Revolutionary, October 9, 2005

By 

Indus "Express" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: System Testing With an Attitude (Paperback)

An exceptionally well-written book that explores concepts of system testing and goes on to present a philosophy that can be readily applied on any software project. The author begins with the basics and presents solutions,techniques and tools that encompass this universe - in short a methodology that has not been presented before in the manner in which it is presented here.What sets this book apart is the author's free use of examples,tables and diagrams that eases the understanding of the material.A handy reference for experts and a classic for the rest.

5.0 out of 5 stars How to design a system testing plan that raises the probability of success to the highest possible level, January 22, 2009

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: System Testing With an Attitude (Paperback)

Software testing is one of the most daunting tasks that can ever be attempted. You know up front that not only is it impossible to test all possible scenarios, in nearly all cases the best you can do is test a trivial fraction of the possible scenarios. Furthermore, testing is not a job for those lacking in courage, when the problems are discovered and reported, many programmers tend to give severely negative responses. Finally, there are several levels of testing, the smallest of the unit up through the test of the complete system.
This virtual minefield is one that must be traversed if quality software is to be the final product. Therefore, with no choice, one of the best things that you can do is to don the body armor of having a defensible and sensible plan and the mental force of will to carry it out. Both are contained in this book, the plans and the reasons for them are stated in detail with listings of potential problems. The section headings are:

*) Part I: System Testing Issues
*) Part II: System Testing Solutions
*) Solutions Section A: Establishing the System-Testing Methodology, Techniques and Tools
*) Solutions Section B: Executing System Tests While Influencing Project Behavior
*) Solutions Section C: Organizing and Sizing
*) Solutions Section D: Changing Project Attitudes

As you can see, the emphasis is on solutions rather than explaining the problems to death. This is a commendable approach as the problems are generally well known and in many cases obvious.
When it comes time to establish a testing strategy, and that time is very early in the project, this is one of the books you should reach for. Reading it is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for the trials to come as you move towards your goal of releasing a quality product that you can be proud of.

5.0 out of 5 stars An informed and informative understanding of the problems and issues often confronted in computer oriented careers, May 7, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: System Testing With an Attitude (Paperback)

System Testing With An Attitude: An Approach That Nurture Front-Loaded Software Quality by international software testing consultant Nathan Petschenik offers an informed and informative understanding of the problems and issues often confronted in computer oriented careers. Providing its readers with an invaluable approach to the proper application of system testing and developer-led testing, understanding the software's user, reduction of system-test costs, and increase of productivity by methodical technique and tool utilization, management of the "end game" of software developmental effectiveness, and institution of comprehensive measurement programming, System Testing With An Attitude is a superbly presented, "user-friendly" collection of accessibly helpful, usefully practical, readily applicable information. System Testing With An Attitude is very highly recommended to all readers with an interest in computer and software sciences, particularly career choice advisors in the field of computer repair and maintenance.