Product Quality Goals
"If a tree falls in the forest...and we've already sold the tree...
does it have quality?"
Progress implies a goal.
Without clear quality goals agreed upon up front, it is impossible to
determine if we have met our objectives.
If we have not met our objectives, then we cannot in good conscience
say that a product is ready to ship.
Unpleasant as it may be, hashing out release criteria at the time the test
plan is written is far superior to doing it at the release checklist meeting.
Of course, even if you have clear, measurable quality goals when you start
the project, there's no assurance that the relative weight of the goals
won't change over time. When a product is on time, the release date may be
a less important factor than when the product is six months late.
For each release and major development milestone, the test
plan should include specific measurable goals for product quality. These
goals should include
- the purpose of the release/milestone
- what will be tested, and to what level of coverge
- what will not be tested, especially if entire test types are to be omitted
- what types of bugs may remain open
- what types of bugs must be fixed
- what level of product stability is required
Once these expectations are agreed upon, then there is a basis for negotiation
if quality standards need to slide for business reasons.
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Copyright 1998 Anne Powell
last update 3/5/98