MASON, USA: According to results from the Seapine Software Quality-Ready Assessment (QRA), only 29 percent of organizations use a test case management application. The survey also found that:

    * 18 percent perform ad hoc testing
    * 16 percent document tests as they go
    * 21 percent document tests in advance but use a paper-based system

This means 55 percent of organizations use inefficient methods to manage their testing.

"The results suggest that the use of test case management solutions is still in its infancy," says Richard Riccetti, president and CEO, Seapine Software. "Developers have used change and defect management applications for years to improve quality and efficiency, but QA departments are just now moving to electronic tracking systems."

Manual processes and informal test case management contribute to missed deadlines and cost overruns. According to the QRA, 34 percent of companies complete their application development on time and on budget less than 75 percent of the time.

In addition, test case data and defects may be scattered across multiple systems. As a result, 75 percent of organizations either cannot analyze their test failures or they must compile the data manually.

Riccetti suggests the following to improve an organization's test case management process:

    * Develop a repeatable process for creating test cases.
    * Create a suite of tests that are stored in a test case management system so they are available to the entire organization.
    * Evaluate your reporting capabilities. Anyone should be able to check the status of the testing effort with the click of a button. You should not have to collect the data manually.