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Are you a test manager estimating a new software or systems test project?  Here's a list of ten factors that will make the testing cost more, take longer, or both. 

1. Complexity (process, project, technology, organization, test environment, etc.).
2. Lots of test, quality, or project stakeholders.
3. Many subteams, especially geographically separated,
4. Need to ramp-up, train, and orient growing team.
5. Need to assimilate or develop new testing tools, techniques, technologies.
6. Custom hardware.
7. Need to develop new test systems, especially automated testware.
8. Need to develop highly detailed, unambiguous test cases (a.k.a., scripts and procedures).
9. Tricky timing of component arrival, especially for integration testing and test development
10. Fragile test data (e.g., time-sensitive)

Don't forget about these factors when you do your estimate.  Just one of these factors can cause some real pain and suffering when the consequences arise.

Hi all--

After years of hesitation, RBCS is finally initiating a blog on software testing.  We've hesitated in large part because I've always joked--and only half in jest--that the word "blog" seems to rhyme with "blab" given most blog content. 

However, as the cliche goes, better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  In this blog, I'm going to focus on sharing immediately useful ideas about software testing, rather than merely opinions, bloviations, or jeremiads.  I'm also going to talk about what you tell me you want to hear about, so feel free to send me requests.

In the next couple days, I'll start with a series of blog postings on some key management concepts related to software testing.  I'll be happy to see comments on those, and we can use the blog postings as the start of a discussion of each of these concepts.

Regards,
Rex Black
President, RBCS, Inc.