The result of the poll I held amongst fellow testers and on this blog, is in line with my expectations: most test improvement initiatives start when quality issues occur. So in that sense, management treats testing like any other discipline: why invest in change or improvements when there is no (obvious) reason for it.
In my experience, motivated testers continuously look for ways to change and improve themselves and the way they work. And they are not afraid to look for help. They’re active on the internet, participate in Special Interest Groups, and meet with each other quite frequently. That’s why most improvement initiatives start at the operational level: the testers want to improve.
The first hurdle is to convince management that it is worthwhile to invest in change and improvement, a.k.a. business case. Unfortunately, currently the focus is on numbers: what are the benefits (in Euro’s please)? what are the costs? And by the way, we want Return on Investment within 6 months. Again, management treats testing like anything else: most companies only start a project if it is beneficial within 6 months.
Testers focus on qualitative benefits:
– the right test at the right moment;
– deliver what was promised;
– the right coverage at the right spot.
Management on quantitative benefits:
– reduced time-to-market;
– deliver what is necessary;
– increased productivity.
Funny thing is that also in this situation opposites attract: management will never get what they want without achieving what testers strive for; testers will never be able to reach their goals without meeting management needs. I’ll even go one step further: by helping management to achieve its goals, testers will achieve their own goals as well. Without the right test with the right coverage at the right moment at the right spot, reduced time-to-market and increased productivity is impossible. The only thing we can and have to discuss is scope: deliver what is promised or deliver what is necessary?
Ruud Teunissen 