Regis University

The goal of this project is to provide an application that takes user supplied information and produces a testing time estimate that is adequate and flexible. The K-Factor application will allow the user to select testing elements and apply a predefined testing interval for testing the shortest element. Once the testing time is presented, it can be adjusted by applying an error rate or confidence factor. This will allow Quality Assurance teams a mechanism of providing testing time estimates that are not based on gut feelings, but on the actual elements or procedures to be tested.

The K-Factor project will provide a means for Quality Assurance (QA) teams to provide reliable testing estimates. In order to delivery software applications one-time and within budget, adequate time estimates must be provided. For QA teams, this is not a simple task. QA has to predict the state of the application turned over from development and estimate the number of issues discovered and resolved. QA is often the last to know the requirements and the gatekeeper to the release phase. There is not a road map to testing estimates, only past experiences with the products the QA teams has received. Creating adequate testing estimates is a complex problem for Quality Assurance teams.

In the past, testing estimates were based on gut feeling from similar products or previous testing efforts. But, how do you predict the testing time for a new product or major changes to an existing product, without a gut feeling. QA needs to provide estimates derived logically and scientifically. The estimates must be able to uphold criticism and scrutiny, while being flexible enough to adapt to change.

The goal of this project is to provide a software application that takes user supplied information and produces a testing time estimate that is reliable and flexible. The K-Factor application will allow the user to select testing elements and apply predefined testing interval for testing. Once a testing time is presented, it can be adjusted by applying an error rate or confidence factor. This will allow Quality Assurance teams a mechanism of providing testing time estimates that are not based on gut feelings, but derived from a process.