SweetSpotQAAndOtherStuffForFree

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SweetSpotQAAndOtherStuffForFree

Quality assurance techniques can be roughly split into curative and preventative techniques. Additionally, some techniques add to the external quality of software whereas others to the internal quality.

Test-driven-development is a good example of a preventative technique that will increase internal quality. Traditional post-development testing is a good example of curative testing which will increase external quality.

Now, most QA techniques will have an effect on internal and external quality. However, some sweet spot techniques have a tremendous effect on both and can be both preventative and curative. The two best examples I can think of are reviews and prototyping.

Reviews, for example, add to the internal quality by helping to improve design; they help to prevent bugs in the future but can also detect them. Finally, problems in requirements or requirements translation can also be spotted and thus reviews contribute to the external quality of the system.

Just recently I have found that Acceptance-Test-Driven-Development with FitNesse when coupled with pair programming in a feature driven, iterative cycle, is a tremendous technique, or mini-methodology, that has a curative nature (from the regression tests), a preventative nature, we are forced to implement the software right first time, and adds to both internal and external quality. Additionally, ATTD is a great way to keep a multi-disciplined team busy.

Since I am always on the lookout for QA on the cheap, I was wondering if anyone uses other ‘Sweet Spot’ techniques? I will swap my favorite QA best practices for others. Also, I am very interested in ‘things for free’, I reckon on my last project I achieved quality for free; coaching for free; and design for free. Has anyone got any tips for getting anything else for free? I’d like to discuss.

James.