Uncertainty in software testing

Abstract

The primary objective of software development is to deliver high quality product at low cost. Testing is inherent in each phase of development as the deliverables of each phase is to be tested to produce a better quality artifact before proceeding to the next phase of development. Software testing describes the discrepancies between the software deliverables and the customer expectations. Software testing life cycle covers test selection, test classification, test execution, and quality estimation. The quality of the deliverable produced may not always be as per the expected outcome or within a probabilistic range. The outcome of testing may be error prone and uncertain because of inadequate techniques for estimation, selection, classification, and execution of test cases. Hence, there is a requirement to model uncertainties after completion of each phase of development. Mechanisms are needed to address uncertainty in each of the deliverables produced during software development process. The uncertainty metrics can help in assessing the degree of uncertainty. Effective modeling techniques for uncertainty are needed at each phase of development.