Improving the Quality Process - Improving Documentation Techniques(1)

Automating Record Keeping

We certainly need to keep records, and we need to write down our plans, but we can't spend time doing it. The records must be generated automatically as a part of our development and quality process. The records that tell us who, what, where, when, and how should not require special effort to create, and they should be maintained automatically every time something is changed.

The most important (read: cost-effective) test automation has not been preparing automated test scripts. It has been automating the documentation process, via the inventory, and test management by instituting online forms and a single-source repository for all test documentation and process tracking.

A project Web site proved to be such a useful tool that the company kept it in service for years after the product was shipped. It was used by the support groups to manage customer issues, internal training, and upgrades to the product for several years.

This automation of online document repositories for test plans, scripts, scheduling, bug reporting, shared information, task lists, and discussions has been so successful that it has taken on a life of its own as a set of project management tools that enable instant collaboration amongst team members, no matter where they are located.