How We Do It

 

Test Directs QUICK Test Methodology – An Overview

Testing is the “process of exercising software to verify that it satisfies specified requirements and to detect errors” (BS7925-1): a simple statement to define one of the most complex and critical phases of the project life cycle.

  • Test excessively and your system/product will be delayed while your project costs spiral.
  • Test deficiently and your system/product launch could be a disaster damaging customer confidence and incurring significant operational costs.

Test Direct offer all their clients the benefits of their proven QUICK test methodology. QUICK is a risk based, real world approach to delivering quality testing faster, reducing costs and improving testing process through Quality, Understanding, Improvement, Communication and Knowledge.

Alongside existing test process, or in the absence of any structured process, the application of our QUICK methodology has enabled our clients, primarily within the Financial Services sector, to launch their systems and products faster and with more confidence in the last decade.

Quality

Whether your test phase lasts a week or a year, the testing performed is optimised, and your risks reduced. Our structured approach ensures the most appropriate coverage and the highest quality achievable in the time available. This includes:

  • Employment of consistent, repeatable and fully auditable test and defect management processes with re-useable testware;
  • Prioritisation based on risk and business benefit;
  • Application of relevant test estimation techniques based on sector, business and product experience;
  • Early Defect detection;
  • Use of Quality Gates between:
    • Development and testing;
    • The various phases of testing;
    • Testing and implementation;
  • Control of both environments and data;
  • Use of Test Tools from our Vendor Partnership Network (See Partners Section) only when and if appropriate to reduce costs and/or increase productivity on current and future projects.

Understanding

Test Direct have an in depth understanding of the system development lifecycle. We are specialists in Financial Services Testing (though our flexible methodology can be universally applied across all industry sectors). Our approach ensures our people know your products and understand your business.

While QUICK has been developed in accordance with national standards (in particular: ISEB, ISO 12207, IEEE 829, IEEE1012) and industry best practice, we understand the demands of the market place and have ensured it facilitates a flexible, common sense approach to “real world” testing whether we deploy it on your site or remotely.

Improvement

We continuously evaluate the latest tools/products, functional and non functional testing techniques and ways of working. Test Direct are always looking to improve our approach through innovation and by assimilating the latest successful developments within the industry.

An example of this is our Near Shore offering initially from one of our Preston offices which was one of the first in the UK. Set up as a response to client issues with off-shoring this has gone from strength to strength by offering both cost savings and quality.

Through the application of QUICK we can bring significant improvements to your in-house testing capability. Additionally we also have an Outsource Quality Assurance function that deploys experienced consultants versed in our methodology to apply the fundamentals of QUICK to the processes and deliverables of a client’s offshore testing provider to ensure the required testing quality, visibility and communication.

Communication

Deployed either on your site as project teams or individuals, integrated with your workforce, or working remotely in one of our Near Shore Test Labs, experienced test consultants produce industry standard test assets and Management Information: test reports for test coverage, test progress and test completion, as well as detailed metrics.

Our methodology ensures that not only is our testing visible and quantifiable but that it is communicated in a language you and your business can easily understand. All client communication is conducted by UK based consultants in accordance with the Plain English Campaign guidelines and when we say yes we mean yes.

Knowledge

Our people are ISEB accredited testing professionals who spend their induction with Test Direct progressing through our Academy. They learn theoretically and practically our QUICK approach to testing as well as the detailed knowledge of the industry sectors in which we operate and the products associated with these sectors. The knowledge of our clients' products and systems is retained with our 95% permanent staff base and, subject to client approval, incorporated within our Academy literature.

Our clients have the knowledge that our approach comes with the appropriate safeguards. All Test Direct consultants are UK based; FSA Level 4 Compliance checked and educated in the principles of client confidentiality and information security.

Ultimately, from our experiences to date, we know QUICK works and our clients know we are cost efficient, flexible and deliver to a high standard.

Applicable to both functional and non functional testing, our approach is one of continuous improvement and our methodology is evolving with the business environment in which we work. If you want to get your products and systems to market in a timely and cost effective manner and be certain that they launch successfully, then we recommend you employ Test Direct QUICK.