Ideas worth carrying forward
Articles, white papers, and practical lessons from more than four decades in software testing and quality.
From Randy’s desk
Practical observations for testers, test leaders, and organizations that want software quality to create genuine value.
Originally published: 1998, Updated on August 6, 2026 This was one of the first articles I published on my first website, back in the 1990’s. I certainly understand…
Read article August 6, 2026There is a line that exists not only in software, but also in other domains such as writing, music, and movies, just to name a few. That line…
Read article August 1, 2026When assessing the success and value of a software product, one metric frequently measured is adoption. In other words, how many people are using or engaging with the…
Read article August 1, 2026“What in the world is he thinking?” you may be asking. After all, we know that software defects cause applications to fail, so how can a defect have…
Read article August 1, 2026This article was originally published in 2003 and revised on July 30, 2026. Over the past few years, a variety of definitions have been applied to User Acceptance…
Read article July 30, 2026Perhaps you get this question from family and friends. I know I do! Or perhaps you have stumbled upon this site and are wondering what it’s all about.…
Read article July 30, 2026One of the most frequently asked questions I get is worded roughly:
“Can you tell me what the industry standard tester-to-developer ratio is?”
My answer is “No, because there is no way to get an accurate measurement of such a ratio, especially across the IT industry where some organizations perform no independent testing at all.”
While this research is from 2012, I have been continuing to monitor this ratio. Interestingly, the findings are much the same. There is no consistent, identifiable “correct” ratio for testers to developers. The data is highly inconsistent. My conclusion remains the same: you can make just about any ratio work with the right balance of tools, people, and processes. What works for one organization will likely not work for you. Please consider the ratios mentioned as possible benchmarks, not recommendations!
Read article July 30, 2026Test scripting has been a popular way to build testware since the advent of interactive software. With Graphical User Interfaces and web-based interfaces, the use of test scripts should be carefully considered. In some cases, test scripts may apply very well to object and component-based interfaces, while in other cases they may not apply well at all. This article examines the nature of test cases and how to determine the best vehicle for designing a test in the web-based environment.
Read article July 30, 2026Recently, I was listening to a radio interview about genetically modified crops. During the discussion, the guest mentioned the fact that farmers are starting to see “killer weeds.”…
Read article July 29, 2026