The Psychology of Testing

The mindset we want to use while testing and reviewing is different from the one we use while analyzing or developing. By this we mean that, if we are building something we are working positively to solve problems in the design and to realize a product that meets some need.

However, when we test or review a product, we are looking for defects in the product and thus are critical of it. This degree of independence avoids author bias and is often more effective at finding defects and failures.

Several levels of independence can be identified, listed here from the lowest level of independence to the highest:

• Tests by the person who wrote the item under test
• Tests by another person within the same team, such as another programmer
• Tests by a person from a different organizational group, such as an independent test team
• Tests designed by a person from a different-organization or company, such as outsourced testing or certification by an external body.

When testing:

• Communicate findings on the product in a neutral, fact-focused way without criticizing the person who created it.
• Explain that by knowing about this now we can work round it or fix it so the delivered system is better for the customer.
• Start with collaboration rather than battles. Remind everyone of the common goal of better quality systems.