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Questionnaire for the Testing Maturity Model (TMM)SM

Introduction

The Testing Maturity Model (TMM)SM is being developed to address problems in the software industry that are caused by immature testing processes. The TMM provides a set of levels and an assessment model, and presents a set of recommended practices that allow organizations to improve their testing processes. The set of levels including maturity goals for each level is summarized as follows for version 1.0 of the TMM:

LEVEL 1 : INITIAL

LEVEL 2 : PHASE DEFINITION

2.1 Develop testing and debugging goals

2.2 Initiate a test planning process

2.3 Institutionalize basic testing techniques and methods

LEVEL 3 : INTEGRATION

3.1 Establish a software test organization

3.2 Establish a technical training program

3.3 Integrate testing into the software life cycle

3.4 Initiate risk management for testing

3.5 Control and monitor the testing process

LEVEL 4 : MANAGEMENT AND MEASUREMENT

4.1 Establish an organization-wide review program

4.2 Establish a test measurement program

4.3 Software quality evaluation

LEVEL 5 : OPTIMIZATION/DEFECT PREVENTION AND QUALITY CONTROL

5.1 Application of process data for defect prevention

5.2 Quality control

5.3 Test process optimization

The SW-TMM-AM questionnaire consists of 8 parts which are:

1) Use instructions: provides a guide for answering the questions.

2) Respondents background: contains a series of questions regarding the experience and background profile of the individual respondent.

3) Organization background: consists of questions concerned with the respondent's organization.

4) Maturity goal questions : contains a set of questions which relate to the maturity goals identified in each level of the SW-TMM version 1.0.

5) Testing tool questions: inquires about the use of different testing tools in the testing process.

6) Testing trends questions: consists of a set of questions that provides a perspective on what is changing, and how test activities have evolved over the past several years.

7) Testing recommendations: composes of several blank pages for each respondent to make comments and recommendations about the SW-TMM-AM questionnaire and its organization.

8) Glossary: contains a group of relevant definitions and terms.

The testing maturity questionnaire is a tool that supports an assessment team in determining the testing maturity level of an organization.

This questionnaire contains questions concerning the implementation of important software testing practices in a software organization.

The questions are organized in the order of the TMM levels and their respective maturity goals. The questions for each maturity goal are divided into five common features identifying whether the implementation and institutionalization of each maturity goal is effective and repeatable.

These five common features are as follows:

(I) commitment to perform

(II) ability to perform

(III) activities performed

(IV) measurement and analysis

(V) verification of implementation.

 

 

SM: Testing Maturity Model and TMM are service marks of Illinois Insitute of Technolgy.