Estimation techniques are common for both development and testing. In this process we can estimate the testing activities. Nowadays, several organisations are providing independent verification and validation process to their client. Project estimation for a testing team requires experience on various projects and STLC process. This considers the following factors,
- Team Skills
- Bug cycles
- Resource availability
- System environment
- Downtime
- Domain Knowledge
The following testing estimation techniques are used,
a) PERT software testing estimation technique
b) UCP Method
c) WBS
d) Wide-band Delphi Technique
e) Functional point/ Testing point analysis
f) Percentage distribution
g) Experience -based testing estimation technique
PERT software testing estimation technique:
This technique is based on statistical methods, which each main task is broken in to various subtasks. and 3 types of estimations are done in each subtasks. The estimations are followed by the below formula.
Test Estimate = (O + (4 × M) + E)/6
O = Optimistic Estimate.
M = Most likely Estimate.
E = Pessimistic estimate.
Standard Deviation (SD) = (E − O)/6
UCP Method:
UCP stands for Use-Case Point method. UCP Method is based on the use cases where we calculate the unadjusted actor weights and unadjusted use case weights to determine the software testing estimation. Work Breakdown Structure
Step 1 − WBS is created by breaking test projects in to small pieces.
Step 2 − Sub modules are divided by the modules.
Step 3 – Submodules are divided in to further functionalities.
Step 4 −Functionalities are divided in to further sub functionalities.
Step 5 −All the test requirement should be reviewed.
Step 6 − Number of tasks should be figure for each team.
Step 7 −Each task effort should be estimated.
Step 8 − Each task duration should be estimated.
Wideband Delphi Technique:
In this method, a team is created with 3-7 members and WBS is distributed to a team for re-estimating the tasks. The final estimate result is based on the team consensus. This method relies more on experience rather than statistical.
Functional point/ Testing point analysis:
FPS is nothing but the functionality of the software application from the user’s perspective and to estimate the size of the software project.
Percentage distribution:
PD is the technique in which the each and every phases of SDLC are assigned effort %.
Experienced based Testing Estimation Technique:
This technique is based on the experience with previous projects, in which metrics are collected and documented from previous similar projects and take inputs from experts who know the application and use metrics you have collected to the testing effort.
These are some of the Testing estimation techniques. We hope the above information is useful and see you in next time with some new content.
–
Kumaresh T,
Testing Team,
Mallow Technologies.
P.S: Image source – 360logica.com