An Integrated Software Test Process Framework: The Case of Selected Ethiopian Software Companies

Abstract

Software testing is an important phase for quality software development. It constitutes up to 50 percent of the software development time and cost. Although huge amount is invested on software development and software testing is mandatory, most software testing lack formalized processes with the real power and flexibility necessary to adequately test software systems. This is one of the outstanding issues that need to be further explored. In addition, by considering the criticality of software testing and the significant time, effort and cost required, an integrated framework needs to be developed to determine what constitutes an ideal and effective test process in order to ensure quality software product given a resource constrained environment. Although prior studies identified different challenges and proposed solutions, none of them have dealt with developing software testing framework that can guide software testers towards conducting effective and efficient software testing process in a resource constrained environment. By applying mixed method research approach the study assessed the existing practices, processes and challenges of software testing in the Ethiopian software companies and proposed Software Testing Improvement Framework (STIF) which is applicable in a resource constrained environment. The framework is structured in three major areas of challenge having four sub-categories with proposed activities divided in three phases. The framework introduced phased approach of software testing practices involving non-costly activities at the initial phase, implementation of testing with minimalist approach at the second phase and full-scale implementation at the third and advanced phase. This framework has both practical and theoretical contributions.