TIM - A Test Improvement Model

The software testing state of practice is not as good as it ought to be. To reduce the gap between the state of practice and the state of the art, improvement of software testing is necessary. Existing improvement models focus too little on, or lack important aspects of, software testing. Therefore a new model is required. This paper describes a test improvement model called TIM. The model functions as a guidebook for test improvement. It is mainly inspired by SEI's Capability Maturity Model and Gelperin's Testability Maturity Model. TIM introduces new perspectives to test improvement, with explicit focus on cost-effectiveness and risk management. The model addresses five "key areas" of testing: organisation, planning and tracking, test cases, testware, and reviews. TIM also includes an assessment procedure. The model is continuously revised as knowledge is gained through research and experience of use. This paper presents results from three applications of TIM.