In this blog series we talk to test professionals from various industries. At Testersuite we like to hear the various views on testing and what keeps a test professional busy. In this edition of Let's Talk About Test, meet Bas Geukes, Information Manager at the Groene Hart Hospital (GHZ).
"It is very important to test from your process and not from the software!"
I am Bas (37) and I live in Gouda with my wife Eva, daughter Vera (7) and son Sven (4). Gouda is where I was born and raised. During my studies I lived in other cities, but eventually I returned to Gouda.
Hahaha, no definitely not. I had no idea what I wanted to be. Of course, you always get something from your parents. My father did something with ICT, for instance. He worked for a logistics company that Apple used for the European market. So we were sometimes able to take over something. So we had a Mac at home. I thought that was great. This was around 1990 when I was 6 years old.
The funny thing is that in those days some children were not allowed to play with me because we had a computer. Some parents saw that as scary machinery. And yet, in 1990, we were already quite advanced with computers.
I am a project manager and information advisor at the GHZ. We are in the middle of renewing our application landscape. The EPD system has been replaced by Nexus software. This meant that a lot of testing had to be done. I indicated that I would like to set up the test process within this programme. For example, I did the PDMS Workspace project for the IC and now the Workspace OK is on the schedule.
It's about making sure that the new software can be set up from within the care process. That means testing beforehand to ensure that the software is safe.
I gained some experience with testing as an ICT manager in another organisation. There I managed and replaced applications myself. Then you have to test yourself as well. But that was less professional than how we do it now at the GHZ.
At the GHZ, we have established a mature testing process and secured it with an application intended for that purpose. That is how I got into testing. I really enjoy doing this and setting up and supervising the testing of the application landscape.
After the design and realisation of the test process, there is now a good basis in Testersuite. This gives us the opportunity to also test other applications and links. We know how to work in and with Testersuite. This has helped to ensure that we are ahead of schedule.
With our previous EPR, we had 24 different facilities. One for each specialisation. This has now all been replaced by an integrated EPD in Nexus. Our mantra in renewing the application landscape is to structure, standardise and streamline.
The testing has now been laid down in the line. We have a release coordinator who makes full use of Testersuite. She determines when testing takes place. She is a functional manager herself and coordinates the testing to functional management and application management. In fact, she is the test coordinator.
"The challenge is in getting it right defect."
It is very important that you test from your process and not from the software! You have to stay close to it. The challenge lies in getting a defect right. Think of the context of where you are testing and what you are testing. You have to get that right. This helps in the feedback to the software supplier. They must be able to reproduce an error in the software based on your defect. This in turn enables them to resolve an error quickly.
We do not use testers but project group members who are not used to testing. You have to help them and make sure that they get the hang of it.
Absolutely! By using Testersuite it is possible to trace which test step went wrong. This gives you insight and grip on your test process. Before, when I asked if they had tested it, the answer was: yes. But if I then asked what exactly they had tested and how, they would not know. Now everything is laid down in the steps and I can monitor it. That benefits the quality of the testing.
It is just very nice that the people who are in the process also test. Our link from Testersuite to Jira means that our software supplier is also immediately informed of the reports that our testers make. This flow is great. Actually we have automated this whole process by linking Testersuite with Jira.
The consistent quality of the testing process is guaranteed because we have improved and professionalised it. Partly because of this, we were able to go live with the SPD, despite corona.
Thanks to the Jira connection, the software supplier can now efficiently pick up reports.
What I also like is that we have placed a coordinator at each test cycle who plays an editorial role in collecting and compiling defects. This makes us even more efficient in picking up defects or forwarding defects.
We are looking forward to the new 'environments functionality' of Testersuite. This is interesting for us because we also want to test other organisational units where applications are used. This will be a nice challenge. With Testersuite Environments this is going to be very interesting.
When you record defects from exploratory testing in Testersuite you can describe the steps you went through before coming across the defect . I would like it if you could show these steps in more detail in defect.
I myself do not yet believe in test-automation. Of course, I have tried it once with a tool. The tool registered my screen and recorded the performance of the application I was working in. I do believe in it, but it doesn't go any further than that at the moment. Certainly not when you are talking about functional testing.
"Scan a carton of milk once..."
Make a good starting point document or master plan. This master plan should not be long, but it should contain the most important conditions of your testing process. Think about what you want to achieve with your test process. Short but complete.
What I also recommend is to do monkey testing in addition to structured testing. Just test blindly and see if you can break it down. Take, for example, the administration of medication. When you administer medication, you have to scan the product. Scan a carton of milk and see what happens. Or use crazy characters or illogical values in a field.
You'll be amazed at the number of bugs this can produce. Just testing your happy flow is not enough. It did us some good once.
As Testersuite Team, continue with the same enthusiasm as you have for the past 10 years, because great things will come out of it!
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