Testing and Quality Assurance Methodology

Most of the testing methodologies that are available today fail in one or more of the above critical success factors. Lack of a pragmatic workflow and incompatibility with current international test standards are major sources of disappointment. For these reasons, CTG has developed STBox™-HIS, a methodology for software testing which provides processes and procedures for all aspects of software configuration management. STBox-HIS focuses in particular on managing the rapid changes that occur in the health insurance environment.

STBox-HIS is a software testing method, based on CTG experience. STBox-HIS addresses the three basic dimensions of testing:

• Process: This aspect includes the work breakdown structure of test activities (test phases and their place in the software development process)
• People: This aspect recognizes the organizational aspects of testing (test organization structure and models, testing roles, tasks, and responsibilities)
• Technology: This aspect covers test infrastructure (test environments, test data, office environments, test tools)

These three dimensions can be visualized as a cube, or box, to clearly indicate that they are interrelated: testing activities prescribed by the testing method will only be possible if the supporting organizational structure and technology infrastructure are in place.

STBox-HIS is based on standards used by ISEB and ISTQB in their certification programs (including BS 7925-1, BS 7925-2, IEEE Std. 829-1998, and ISO 9126). These standards have gained international recognition and are regarded as best practices. However, they only cover certain aspects of software testing such as terminology and deliverables. STBox-HIS can be considered the ‘glue’ filling in the gaps between the different international standards.

One of the major added values of STBox-HIS is that it offers a workflow for the different testing activities and that it covers all aspects of software testing (process, people, and infrastructure)

Client Benefits

• Reduces the risk of deploying unreliable software
• Optimizes the testing process and procedures
• Introduces software testing standards, structured processes and documented processes and procedures
• Sits on top of existing testing tools
• Identifies deviations from software testing standards
• Identifies performance metrics in software development
• Provides advanced health insurance knowledge base
• Achieves quality rollout of products and benefits eliminating the cost of rework and customer/provider dissatisfaction