Getting started on a testing project
I started on a new project a few weeks ago and thought it would be a good idea to share a checklist for what new testers on a project need and some good starting questions when you, as a tester, are new on a project
Checklist for what new testers on a project need (Note, your project may not include all of the below)
Note to check if user credentials are needed for any of the below
- Access to test environments
- Access to instant messaging groups
- Added to the correct channels within the IM groups
- Access to the bug tracking tool
- Access to the test tools
- Access to email
- Team wiki
- Time-tracking system (applies if tester is a contractor/consultant)
- Version Control e.g. Git
- Someone to do a handover/introduction
- Access to the shared folders
- *Access to the database
Some starting questions you can use, if you are new to a project (This isn’t an exhaustive list; only a starting point)
Test Environments
- How reliable are they? (this could help when it comes to raising bugs only to find they are environment issues)
- Do people’s actions affect others? (how are environments shared?)
- How do you set up test environments?
People
- Who do I speak to if I have questions about XXXX?
- (To buddy/mentor) who do you think I should meet?
- Who do I report to?
Raising bugs
- How do bugs get classified? (e.g. Area of Product)
- What to do if you don’t know how to classify? (is there a misc area)
- Can you show me how to raise bugs in bug tracking tool? (some tools need more explaining than others, especially when it comes to filling in certain fields of the system)
General Testing
- How is testing done here?
- Who decides how testing is done? (the tester; test lead; test manager)
- Are there any testing team meetings? (These might be outside the product team meetings - it depends on your definition of team)
- *What tests does the team currently have? (both automated and manual tests)
Is there anything I’m missing? Can you think of any other questions to ask? Anything else to add to the checklist? _Updated: Have added some more questions and access needed from others, new ones are marked with *. Thanks Danny Dainton and Lim Sim
I have an updated version of this checklist, check out Getting Started On A Test Project Revisited here
For more information on getting started on a testing project, check out my eBook: Starting Your Software Testing Career.