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As for all life-critical software, the FDA guidance document on software validation emphasizes defect prevention, complexity analysis, risk assessment, and code coverage.

Fast development cycles, distributed architectures, code reuse, and developer productivity suites make it imperative that we improve our software test efficiency. A process assessment is one approach to begin an improvement program.

Our brains are wonderful processors capable of making sense of the huge amount of sensory input we receive every day. But sometimes, our first interpretation of sensory data can lead us astray. Esther Derby shows us how assuming our interpretation of events holds the truth of the matter can damage relationships, and how testing our interpretations can help.

Many of the quality assurance analysts working today are in dire need of training. They need training not just on testing methods and techniques but also on technical matters to include operating systems, security, new software packages, and existing software. Training employees in these areas is essential to a successful company.

Home construction metaphors are often helpful for communicating software project management concepts. Listeners don't need an engineering degree to grasp that task sequence is important. Explain how you must schedule an appointment for the "open wall" electrical inspection two weeks in advance. Then, explain how a one-day slip on a wiring task can result in a much longer delay in the start of the sheet rock task, which in turn may delay painting, thus, occupancy by weeks, possibly months -- same as with delays in software projects. In this week's column Payson Hall draws from personal home-ownership experience and defines the resemblance between software project management and managing his home.

What is the impact of agile methods on test departments and testers? How do you manage testing in an agile test department?