I have been given the task of implementing some QA testing into a massive existi

Question

I have been given the task of implementing some QA testing into a massive existing system. We're going to start out with system-level tests and might add unit tests if it is deemed necessary.

I don't really know where to start. I'm thinking of creating a new project in the main solution dedicated entirely to QA testing. From there, I'll just add system-level NUnit tests that can be run automatically from that project.

How does that sound? I want to make sure that I make the right decisions now so that the QA system doesn't get messy and overly complicated in the future. Since it will be running alongside a big system, I anticipate that it too will grow to be a big system, which makes it vulnerable to becoming a cumbersome mess of code.

Any suggestions would be great!

Explanation / Answer

A good starting point is the IEEE standard on Software Quality Assurance Plans.

There are many factors to consider --

How do you manage the QA process?

What standards and conventions will your team follow?

What are you metrics? (That is, what items will you measure and how will you measure and report on them?)

What audits will you perform to assure that tests were perform, your metrics are valid, etc.?

What set of documentation will you expect, and how will you review that those documents are correct?

What is you overall test plan? (This includes test definitions, schedules, resources required, etc.)

What test equipment, tools, test platforms, etc. will be used?

How do you control the test equipment and test platforms (including calibration and configuration management of the test platform(s)?

How are problems reported?

How do you assign and resolve issues, and how do you track and manage this process?

Configuration management and source code control plans.

Media control for items you publish and distribute. This includes any printed material, material you distribute via CD or DVD, or software and documentation you make available via the web.

If you are using subcontractors and suppliers, how are you managing and monitoring the quality of the product and material they are supplying you with?

You plan for creating, maintaining, and retaining records of your activities.

Training that will be required for team members.

Risk Management Plan.

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