Application of Six Sigma Approach in Predicting Functional Defects for System Testing
The importance of knowing total number of defects to be found at the start of system testing phase has become significant element in software engineering practices towards achieving zero known post release defects of the software released to users. Defect prediction for testing demonstrates the...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
2012
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://taibahu.edu.sa/iccit/allICCITpapers/pdf/p355-mohamed_suffian.pdf http://taibahu.edu.sa/iccit/allICCITpapers/pdf/p355-mohamed_suffian.pdf |
| Summary: | The importance of knowing total number of
defects to be found at the start of system testing phase
has become significant element in software engineering
practices towards achieving zero known post release
defects of the software released to users. Defect
prediction for testing demonstrates the initiative for test
process improvement and optimization while allowing
independent testing team to discover as many defects as
possible, to determine when to stop testing, put
comprehensive test coverage while ensuring all defects
are contained within testing phase. The research aims at
demonstrating the industry-centric approach of
predicting defects and controlling them within system
testing to prevent any escapees to the next testing level
and later, to the end users. Despite various prior efforts
and approaches in building defect prediction models, this
research attempts to focus on formulating a
mathematical model for specifically predicting functional
test defects to be found in system testing phase before it is
actually started. Six Sigma is chosen as the approach in
building up the mathematical model for predicting
functional defects in system testing phase. Design for Six
Sigma (DFSS), one of the Six Sigma methodologies is
used for the research where it involves 5 main phases:
Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify (DMADV).
The study illustrates the motivation on having this
prediction model and its benefits to test process
management. V-Model software development process is
the area of focus in which the software projects adopting
this model are selected for the research. The activities
start with the analysis of factors narrowing to phases
prior to testing phase that have direct impact to the
discovery of defect in system testing. These factors are
concerned with the product and process metrics collected
from requirement phase until construction and unit test
phase. The metrics in those phases which are significant
to system testing defects are collected and analyzed
statistically using multiple regression analysis. The
proposed prediction model for functional defects in
system testing phase is formulated using the best result
generated from the regression analysis, which is a
combined metrics of development and testing metrics in
phases prior to testing phase. The proposed model is then
validated to ensure it is fit for actual implementation of
predicting functional defects in system testing phase.
Control plan is also incorporated as a reference on what
action to be taken when the actual functional defects
found do not fall within the prediction interval. (Abstract by authors) |
|---|