Test Maturity Model
In this section, we are going to explore and discuss the following topics related to Test Maturity Model, and we will also analyze the importance of TMM when it is applied to software testing process.
- What is Test Maturity Model?
- The five levels of the test maturity model
- Difference between TMM and CMM
- Benefits of the test maturity model
Before going deep into all the above mention topics, firstly, we will understand the Test maturity Model.
What is Test Maturity Model?
When software is tested, there are so many techniques are followed to accomplish maximum quality and minimize defects or errors.
Test Maturity Model is one of such models which has a set of structured levels and it is based on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM).
The Illinois Institute of Technology initially developed the test maturity model, but now it is managed by TMMI Foundation.
We have used the Test maturity model to develop strategies and a reference framework for increasing the testing process.
Presently, the TMM is replaced by Test Maturity Model Integration (TMMI) which is five level model that provides a framework to measure the maturity of the testing processes.
We need to perform the testing phase of the Software Development Life Cycle very efficiently as it plays a significant role in order to complete any project successfully.
Test Maturity Model or TMMi is one such process that has made software testing life cycle more resourceful. It is one such model with a detailed model for test process improvement.
A Test maturity model’s primary purpose is to find the maturity and provide targets to enhance the software testing process in order to accomplish development. It can be used as a stand-alone model or completed with any process improvement model.
Why we need TMMi?
The Test Maturity Model Integration/TMMi is progressively discover its way into many IT organizations to update and ease their testing process.
But the question arises, why do we need the TMMi model?
Below are a few significant points, which are helpful for us to understand the need for TMMi.
- The Test Maturity Model Integration (TMMi) helps in the assessment and enhancement of the testing process.
- The implementation of this model improves the test process, the software quality, and the efficiency of test engineering.
- Several software process developments such as CMM/CMMIprovide limited consideration to testing. Hence, we need something like TMMI for a process, which is mainly made for testing.
- However, many efforts were made to expand the testing process; still, zero defects are identified from reality for the software engineering. So, TMMi is the further attempt to achieve zero defects.
- It is a test process improvement model that can integrate with other process development models and be used as a standalone model.
Levels of Test Maturity Model
The test Maturity model contains five different levels, which will help the organization fix its maturity. To achieving a higher level of test maturity, these five levels will lead us to identify the next development steps:
Let’s understand the five levels of TMM one by one in detail:
- Initialization
- Definition
- Integration
- Measurement and Management
- Optimization
Level1: Initialization
- Initializationis the first level of the Test maturity model. There is no defined testing process in the first level of TMM.
- The purpose behind initialization levels is to ensure that the software should execute successfully and there is no obstruction.
- At this level, there will be Exploratory or Adhoc testing performed on the software, and there are no quality checks before delivering the product.
Level2: Definition
- The second level of a Test maturity model is Definition, which is all about defining the requirements.
- We can create the test strategies, test plans, and test cases in order to build a software according to the given requirements by the client,
- The critical purpose of the definition level is to ensure that the software product implements according to the requirements, develop testing, debugging goals, and policies that are followed consistently.
Level3: Integration
- The third level of a test maturity model is
- The primary purpose of executing this level into the test maturity model is to ensure that the testing is integrated with the software lifecycle and becomes a part of it.
- For instance, as we know that the V model has both development and testing phases, which means that the testing comes after when the development process is completed.
- The entire testing objectives are based on risk management as testing is implemented independently.
Level4: Measurement and Management
- The fourth level of a Test maturity model is measurement and management where testing becomes part of all the activities in the software life cycle.
- Here, we will be managing and measuring the requirements.
- The primary purpose of executing this level into the test maturity model is to ensure that the establishment of a test measurement program.
- To determine the quality measures this level, include reviewing, requirements gathering, and design of the software.
Level5: Optimization
- The last and fifth level of the Test Maturity level is optimization.
- The essential purpose of this level is to optimize the test process itself.
- In simple words, we can say that the testing processes are verified, and measures are taken to enhance the further process.
- In this, quality control and bug inhibition are performed during the software life cycle.
- At the optimization level, we mainly focus on defect prevention rather than defect detection and with the help of the different tools, we can perform this testing.
After seeing all the five levels of the test maturity model, we can say that each level has its role and responsibility. And the objective of all the levels has to create its well-defined structure.
The primary concept of the Test Maturity Model was taken from Capability Maturity Model (CMM).
Essentially it is a structured tool that is used for software development and a model to support different business processes. In Test Maturity Model, the term Maturity is measured by the degree of optimized processes.
Difference between CMM & TMM
Some of the significant difference between CMM and TMM models are as discussed in the following table:
| S.No. | CMM | TMM |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The capability Maturity Model or CMM is used to consider the maturity of an organization’s software processes. | Test Maturity Model or TMM specify testing and is related to checking the quality of the software testing model. |
| 2. | It has significantly controlled the software development procedures. | It is used as a corresponding framework along with CMMi. |
| 3. | CMMi mainly focuses on software development practices. | The complete focuses of the TMMi framework are on the processes which are applied to software testing to enhance the quality and efficiency of the testing process. |
Advantages of Test Maturity Model
Let’s see some of the significant advantages of using the Test Maturity Model (TMM) in an organization:
Defect prevention
- As we know from the above explanation, TMM emphasizes defect prevention rather than bug detection by making the testing process a part of all phases of the software development life cycle.
- It also makes sure that the maximum defects are identified and the mostly final product is defect-free.
Organized
- As we have already discussed the five levels of TMM and we can conclude that each level is well defined and has a particular purpose to achieve, which makes the test maturity model a well-organized model with solid objectives.
Clear requirements
- When the necessities of the software, designs are reviewed, test plans, and test cases are tested in contradiction of requirements. Or if the primary test aim is more precise, then we can achieve more accurate testing.
Assurance of quality
- We can achieve a higher quality of the product if we integrate testing with all the phases of the software life cycle.
- Analysis of test processes would enhance the outcome, which assures a good quality product.
Overview
As compared to the CMM (Compatibility Maturity Model), the TMM (Test Maturity Model) is equally a new topic, but the primary purpose of both the models continues the same.
If we want to display how a structured set of levels leads to the high-quality expected output by enhancing the processes, and performance of an organization.
For any organization, software maintenance is an expensive and time-consuming process when bugs are identified after project delivery.
Therefore, while identifying the defects is significant, it is also necessary that software makes minor errors throughout the development phase. A standard testing process like TMM can help us in order to accomplish this.
As we understood from the above discussion, the Test Maturity Model is specially designed to address testing. And to help the organization in order to enhance the maturity of their testing exercises.
To make sure the enhancement in testing processes in an IT organization, the TMMi model was developed. And according to the business, these models can be generalized and applied for improved results.
It is introduced because the previous model did not focus on the testing processes.
Still, the TMMi model is developed to focus on planning and development, and the CMMi model procedures guide it.