Introduction to Risk-Based Testing

The 'Introduction to Risk-Based Testing' workshop introduces the key concepts behind risk management and how it should be applied to testing. From the testing perspective, risks are associated with the deliverable software product (the consequences if the software fails in use) and also how the project is run (e.g. if development overruns so reducing the time available for testing). The three basic stages of risk identification, risk estimation and risk mitigation are covered in the workshop in terms of the management of testing both during project development and after the delivery of the software into use.

The workshop is based on practical experience of applying risk-based testing on a variety of projects and will use the same principles underlying the proposed new ISO 29119 Software Testing standard, which explicitly requires that risk be used as the main driver for a project's test strategy. In this way testing is used to treat perceived risks, such as by choosing which test phases to use and which test techniques to apply.

Audience: Who is the course for?

Test practitioners actively involved in software testing & who want to ensure that they are fully aware of current best industry practices. This includes:

• Testers and test managers
• Test analysts
• Test engineers
• Test consultants,
• User acceptance testers
• Software developers

Course duration:

One or two days

Benefits to the individual:

• Gain skills and techniques to carry out risk-based testing
• Acquire confidence to undertake risk-based testing as part of a project

Benefits to the business:

• Greater project success
• Confidence that staff can undertake risk-based testing and achieve better outcomes

Pre-requisites:

There are no formal entry requirements for this workshop, although prior experience of working on IT projects is certainly beneficial, either as testers, or in a development or management role.

The workshop is intended as an introduction to best practices for those new to risk-based testing and as a refresher for more experienced test professionals to the current state of industry thinking.

This workshop includes slides, exercises and practical work, and uses a hands-on approach based on group exercises and discussions. It is highly-interactive, allowing attendees to learn from the experience of the instructor and each other, and, owing to its interactive nature, each workshop is restricted to a maximum of 18 delegates.

Course objectives:

Risk is key to managing and scheduling testing, so by the end of the day delegates should:

• understand that risk is fundamental to managing all testing on a project;
• be familiar with the three basic steps in risk management;
• understand how risk identification, estimation and mitigation are used to determine and prioritise the testing at the individual component level and for the testing for a complete project.

Syllabus:

The workshop will cover the following topics:

• Real-life risks
• Risks in IT
• Project management & risk
• Testing & risk
• Test management & risk
• Risk management process
  • Risk Identification
  • Risk Estimation
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Selecting Techniques
  • Ongoing Risk Analysis
  • Risk Management Process Improvement

Exam details:

There is no exam as part of this course.