ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 Software Test Standard

SOFTWARE TESTING STANDARD
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ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 Software Test Standard
Software test involves detecting the difference between present and required conditions
and additionally to evaluate the functions of the software program. When testing a software some
standards which are recognized internationally should be followed. Standards are sets of
protocols or procedures which an organization carries so as to achieve its goal. Software testing
standards are set by International Standardization Organization (ISO) in conjunction with
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). A new software testing standard called
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 has been developed. The copy right holders of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119
software testing standard involve a group known as “Working Group 26.” The standard was
developed by the group in May 2007 [1].
This standard aims to outline an across the world agreed set of requirements for software
testing that can be utilized by any employer whilst testing software. It recognizes the dynamic
nature of software development in terms of methodologies used in development of personal
computers and mobile applications [2]. Besides its significance of ensuring a quality products for
consumers, this standard has been given low attention in as result, this paper seeks to venture
into this critical aspect in software engineering, by doing so, the article will explore
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 software test standard.
For the purpose of this paper, a research paper “Overview of Software Testing Standard
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119” which was done by Hesham Alaqil featuring Shakeel Ahmed was
examined. In their document, the creators provide an overview of this standard. They sought that
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 is composed of various parts including the concept and definition, test
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process, documentation, test technique and keyword driven test which are described in the
following sections of this paper [3].
The Standard’s scope
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 standard series defines set of stages involving software testing
which are internationally agreed. These standards can be used by any corporate for software
testing. For instance part 2 of the software testing standard is involves a test process that lays out
software testing process at test management level, organization level and dynamic test level [4].
This part support dynamic, functional alongside non-functional tests, automated and manual tests
and scripted and non-scripted tests [5]. This approach can be utilized along with a software
development lifecycle. Due to the fact that software test is the key method to reducing risks for
developers, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-2 uses a risk based testing approach which is a common
methodology to managing tests in industries [6]. This allows testing to get prioritized and aim at
features and functions which are most important.
Key Parts of the standard
In order to fully understand and apply this standard, the following key parts have to be
fully comprehended.
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1
This is the first set of the standard, it involves Concept and Definitions lays information
about the definitions and descriptions of software testing concepts [7]. This part seek to explore
various parts of the standard. It outlines more on concepts and definitions necessary to
understand and adopt other standards that come under ISO29119 series.
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