QA & testing topics

Question 1

What is fault clustering?
(LO24: Investigate and assess outcome)

Answer 1

Faults have the tendency to cluster within the same test object. If a fault occurs, chances are that other faults are there as well.

Question 2

What are the possible test case outcomes (or results/status)?
(LO24: Investigate and assess outcome)

Answer 2

3 outcomes:
- Pass
- Fail
- Not Run

Question 3

What are the two distinct possible causes of failing test case?
(LO24)

Answer 3

A test object fault may have various reasons e.g.:
* Fault in program code
* Configuration problem in IT system
* Firmware or hardware problem
* Etcetera

A test case fault may have various reasons e.g.:
* Wrong expected outcome
* Wrong test data
* Wrong interpretation of specification(s)
* Etcetera

Question 4

What’s a good remark/tip about analyzing a failed test?
(LO24)

Answer 4

The investigation may be a tedious and time-consuming tasks:
- Apply pair debugging if necessary
- Start investingating the test case (to prevent waisting time)
- The investigation always involves human activity, it can not be (fully) automated.

Question 5

Steps for analyzing the failed test case and creating an anomaly?
(LO24)

Answer 5

These steps are in a generic order but may also be done in parallel or in a different order.

• Gather evidence (such as screenshots or database dumps)
• Reproduce the failure (and register the steps to reproduce)
• Check for faults in the test
• Determine suspected cause(s)
• Isolate the cause (optional)
• Generalize the anomaly
• Compare with other anomalies and eliminate double
• Register the anomaly report
• Have the anomaly report reviewed

Question 6

What are the 2 QA & testing topics and what’s the difference between them?
(LO11: Introduction to QA & testing topics)

Answer 6

The 2 topics are:
- Organizing: that’s about managing and organizing multiple teams.
- Performing: this one is about operating and managing test activities within one team.