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BSA/385 Introduction to Software Engineering : Software Testing Environment Proposal

Proposal for creating an optimized software testing environment.

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    Running head: SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 1 Software Testing Environment Proposal BSA/385 Introduction to Software Engineering Given the assignment to define, develop, and propose standards for a software testing environment at Smith Systems Consulting, how would you outline a comprehensive project plan that includes the software development process, quality assurance procedures, and the formal program specification? Additionally, discuss how the proposed standardized approach will help Smith Systems Consulting maintain project efficiency, keep clients confident, and ensure smooth contractual obligations. In your response, ensure to cover the phases of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), the importance of quality assurance, and how Smith can benefit from using Agile Development Methodology for Kudler Fine Foods. Provide a well - structured answer, with a word count requirement of 750 - 1000 words.

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    SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 2 Abstract Smith Systems Consulting has received some feedback and concerns that their processes and procedures are not sufficiently documented. This lack of professional documentation has caused some loss of potential contracts for the firm. The Learning Team Bravo has been given the assignment to define, develop, and propose standards for a software testing environment at Smith. This will be accomplished by defining the Smith engagement approach, introducing the way the firm works with clients and how projects are managed, defining the software development and quality assurance processes and procedures, describing in detail testing procedures to be exercised, describing the infrastructure including hardware and software capabilities that will make up the software testing environment, and by defining the format and requirements for development of formal program specification.

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    SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 3 Smith Systems Consulting recently tasked Learning Team Bravo (LTB) with developing a standardized project plan, approach, and testing procedures. It is Smith’s goal to show prospective clients that Smith is efficient and is confident that they are able to perform contractual obligations smoothly. The following procedures will be generalized so that Smith will be able to utilize this project plan in any project. This standardized project plan that LTB developed will enable Smith to focus the resources of their project rather than developing procedures to complete the project. Software Development Processes and Procedures Smith Systems Consulting understands that there is not a clear - cut solution for each individual software development project and wishes to utilize a process that accounts for multiple variables when developing new software. In order to accurately define this process, Smith will benefit from a System Development Lifecycle (SDLC) approach. This means that Smith will first need to determine the needs of the company. Within this phase, the first step is to identify Smith’s stakeholders followed up with developing a project timeline and budget. Stakeholders will consist predominately of Smith employees so that in - house management will have a firm grasp on the resources needed. The next step in the SDLC approach is to form an analysis team to identify the needs of the various stakeholders as well as to better understand the needs of the proposed system. This analysis team is responsible of keeping the stakeholders informed by using data flow diagrams as the project progresses for an all encompassed strict change control process . This step is vital in quality assurance which will be discussed at a later time. Smith will also be responsible in designing methods required by the need s of the project. Methods include resources, tools, new models and various techniques used to fully identify system requirements. In some cases third - party vendors are valuable for they provide and use tools that some methods may require. Third -

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    SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 4 party vendors will be procured via contract and are subject to a determination of need by the project stakeholders. A finalized data flow diagram will be presented for the next step. A design team will then determine the most effective and efficient approach to implement the design. Stakeholders will be consulted before any final orders are given to include the procurement of vendors and the resources they will provide . Once a vendor and resource are determined the design team will execute the design as part of the project plan timeline. Smith will initiate developer testing as well as end - user testing to ensure the final product meets the project plan criteria. After acceptance testing, the system will be implemented and the training phase will begin. Upon full implementation completion, a maintenance phase will begin. During this phase Smith will be involved through its entire life cycle. Any and all contracts, to include telephone support, will be included as essential elements of this system. Quality Assurance Processes and Procedures Smith is dedicated to providing development solutions to business information processes of the highest quality to its clients. This quality is measured and ensured through the use of resource and tools put in place from the very start of the project. In order to strengthen existing business processes by the practical application of new technologies, Smith will use highly trained and qualified project managers (PM’s). Each of Smith’s PM’s has a multitude of experience and flawless track records that show the y will stay on time and within the budget. Smith PM’s will provide weekly updates to shareholders as well as daily meetings to ensure everyone involved in the project is on track, but more importantly that there are no concerns for delays. Any concerns

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    SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 5 will be of utmost importance and PM’s will alleviate concerns with additional resources to address the problem with minimal operations impact or deviation from the project plan. As mentioned earlier, a strict change control process will be used t o ensure that the project is kept within scope . Any changes to the project must be approved. Also mentioned earlier, Smith realizes that that there is not a clear - cut solution for each individual software development project and wishes to utilize a process that accounts for multiple variables when developing new software. This strict change control process will reflect Smith’s project plan of priority and secondary goals. These goals will be defined during the analysis phase however the stakeholders will have the option to make changes during the change control process. Primary goals are to be strictly followed and any deviation to them must occur due to imminent danger or jeopardy to the project itself. Secondary goals on the other hand are identified as flexible and are not bound such a strict change control process. Adherence to the change control process is vital for project success and not reliant on the outcome of each individual system development lifecycle phase. Formal Program Specification Document Smith systems will be recommending several changes to the current system at Kudler Fine Foods. This is due in large part by the hardware and software that are out of date. All locations for Kudler Fine Foods including La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas have a similar layout of multiple PII Win9x to include office 9 7, Novell 4.11 Server s and NT Server support. Locations also sport 56k modem for internet connection. The system is relatively old and could use replacement systems s uch as the latest in Windows ope rating systems and hardware. For this

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    SMITH SOFTWARE TESTING ENVIRONMENT PROPOSAL 6 project, Smith Consulting recommends an Agile Development Methodology to better serve Kudler’s needs. This approach will promote extensive testing and reviews from the owner. Design Considerations Possible reasons for the development are to improve sales with Kudler Fine Foods and to boost customer satisfaction. KFF has a strong re putation and is taking measures to improve on this by the implementation of a rewards program . A feasibility study will address several con cerns that exist such as how much to invest and identifying acceptable risks. Team Bravo believe s that the number one constraint will be the budget. Since Kudler Fine Foods is a smaller business with only three store locations the budget for implementing a new system for each location will be not an easy task . The budget will be closely monitored in regular progress reports within the Agile System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The g oals and guidelines of this proposal will be solely based on the project plan within the A gile SDLC . To reiterate, t he main goal of the project is to provide a service to customers that allow them to attain rewards for every product that they purchase, whether it is a bag of potatoes or a magazine. The secondary goal, or byproduct of the system, will be an increase of customer satisfaction and loyalty . System Development Life Cycle In review, the software method of choice will be the Agile SDLC . Taking a closer look, Smith Systems Consulting will use the Scrum methodology. With S crum , this development methodology will be centered on testing and reviews after each sprint, or increment. A Scrum Team and Scrum master will be formed to carry out the plan. The Scrum Master an o wner will periodically reviews the work after each increment. The steps will be organized and put in

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