The document discusses testing approaches at Sheffield Hallam University. It describes three different testing projects: the "One Man Band" which involved one business user and BA with limited time for testing; the "Pub Band" which had a dedicated test team but poor communication; and the "Rock Stars" where business users conducted the testing with training and clear roles. It provides lessons learned from each, emphasizing that best practice includes clear roles and responsibilities, communication at milestones, training, and accountability. The presentation aims to help attendees understand different testing approaches and keys to success.

2. WHOSE TEST IS IT ANYWAY?
Lauren Wagstaff & Clinton Nobrega

3. Victoria Park Plaza
London, UK
WEDS.
AT 3.00 P.M.
SEPT . 21
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
&OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
KEYS TO SUCCESS!
WHOSE TEST IS IT ANYWAY?Featuring..

5. THEN
2 BA based in IT
No Requirements
No UAT
NOW
11 based centrally
Project funded only
Defined standards &
methodology
Skills transfer
BA toolkit
NEXT
Restructure
Corporate projects &
local initiatives
Demand for Continuous
Improvement
2007
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University
2017

6. BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University
NEXT

7. Validate
solution against
requirements
Cost/Benefits
analysis
Propose a
solution
Communicate
requirements
Analyse and
document
requirements
Gather
requirements
Define & scope
business area
Project Training
& documentation
Process
improvement
& redesign
Project
planning
Project definition
& business case
Activity
based costing
Continuous
Improvement
initiatives
Knowledge
Transfer
training
Checkpoint
reports
Metrics
TESTING
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University

8. What is your current role?
A. Business Analyst
B. Programme/Project Manager
C. Programme/Project Support
D. Test Specialist
E. IT Specialist
F. Other
BusinessAnalyst
Program
m
e/ProjectM
a...
Program
m
e/ProjectSup...TestSpecialistIT
Specialist
Other
0% 0% 0%0%0%0%
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University

9. Have you been involved with testing?
A. Yes
B. No
Yes
No
0%0%
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
at Sheffield Hallam University

10. • Fundamental approach to all
work
• Logical and bespoke solution
to unique problem
• Each project is different and is
resourced in different ways
• The BAs in our team are
ALWAYS involved with testing
for a number of reasons
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH

11. Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
Write test
scripts
Manage
testing (incl.
allocation)
Testing
Manage
defects
Training and
engagement
SHU TESTING
CYCLE

12. Who should complete ?
A. Test team member
B. Business analyst
C. Users/ business area
D. IT
Testteam
m
e...
Businessanalyst
Users/busines...
IT
0% 0%0%0%
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
Write test
scripts

13. Who should ?
A. Test team member
B. Business analyst
C. Users/ business area
D. IT
Testteam
m
e...
Businessanalyst
Users/busines...
IT
0% 0%0%0%
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
Manage
testing (incl.
allocation)

14. Who should carry out ?
A. Test team member
B. Business analyst
C. Users/ business area
D. IT
Testteam
m
e...
Businessanalyst
Users/busines...
IT
0% 0%0%0%
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
Testing

15. Who should identified through testing?
A. Test team member
B. Business analyst
C. Users/ business area
D. IT
Testteam
m
e...
Businessanalyst
Users/busines...
IT
0% 0%0%0%
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
Manage
defects

16. 1. What is the project?
2. What is the context of the project?
3. Who is available to work on the project?
Sheffield Hallam's
TESTING APPROACH
So how do we decide on an approach to testing?

17. OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T

18. THE ONE MAN BAND: EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
• 6 months, movement of Excel log to
corporate system
• Objective: consistent management &
increased accessibility
• Small change project, few
stakeholders
• One business user and BA involved
• Limited time available for testing
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T

19. THE ONE MAN BAND: EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
• Simple and straightforward excel test
scripts
• Test scripts quick to produce and
change
• Detailed knowledge of requirements
by "testers"
• Easy to manage and assign test
incidents based on only 2 testers
• Risk - single point of contact
• Frequent changes to requirements
throughout testing process
• Test scripts not descriptive enough
• Not enough time dedicated to testing
• No formal feedback loop with
developers

20. THE PUB BAND: PAPERLIGHT
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
• Large change project, lots of
stakeholders
• 3 years, online application and
supporting back-office processing
(160 requirements)
• Dedicated test team managed writing
and management of tests
• BA = QA

21. THE PUB BAND: PAPERLIGHT
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
• Dedicated test team
• Process users run the tests
• Testing process easily managed
through test management software
(SpiraTeam)
• Large volume of requirements to test in
limited time
• Poor communication and visibility of
product delivery from IT
• Test team not involved with
requirements gathering
• More time required for liaison between
BA and test team
• Poor quality of testing from process
users

22. THE ROCK STARS: UPGRADE
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
• Business users conduct the testing
• Upgrade of Systems in Tuition
(SITS:Vision), University's Student
Management System
• Standard, established business
activity
• Managed by IT Project Office using
SpiraTeam
• BA Role: facilitation and training

23. THE ROCK STARS: UPGRADE
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
• Test leads in each business area
• Kick-off meetings and full training
given to all users involved in testing
process
• Continuous improvement of process
throughout testing cycle
• Managed through test management
software (SpiraTeam)
• Dedicated test and defect
management windows (4 weeks
each)
• Resource intensive - higher cost due to
number of staff involved
• No technical involvement in testing

24. Write test
scripts
Manage
testing (incl.
allocation)
Testing
Manage
defects
Training and
engagement
BEST PEOPLE
FOR JOB
OUR EXPERIENCE
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T

25. oles and responsibilities are clear
nforce benefits of completing process successfully
lear communications at important milestones
mprovement of testing quality through use of review
meetings throughout process
raining and named point of contact for queries
ccountability and ownership
essons learnt and feedback
COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT
KEYS TO SUCCESS!
R
E
C
I
T
A
L

26. KEYS TO SUCCESS!
Convention?

27. THANK YOU!
CLINTON NOBREGA
+44 114 225 4887
c.nobrega@shu.ac.uk
Secretary & Registrar's Directorate
Sheffield Hallam University
S1 1WB
LAUREN WAGSTAFF
+44 114 225 3778
l.wagstaff@shu.ac.uk