Improving software testing via ODC: Three case studies

Orthogonal Defect classification (ODC) is a methodology used to classify software defects. When combined with a set of data analysis techniques designed to suit the software development process, ODC provides a powerful way to evaluate the development process and software product. In this paper, three case studies demonstrate the use of ODC to improve software testing. The first case study illustrates how a team developing a high-quality, mature product arrived at specific testing strategies aimed at reducing field defects. The second is a middleware project that identified the areas of system test that needed to be strengthened. The third describes how a very small team with an inadequate testing strategy recognized its risk in trying to meet the schedules release and made the product more stable by postponing the release date and adding badly needed testing scenarios. All three case studies highlight how technical teams can use ODC data for objective feedback on their development processes and the evolution of their products. This feedback facilitates the identification of actions to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of development and test, resulting in improved resource management and enhanced software quality.