Minimal Testable Values for Software Development Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software testing methodologies and systems fail to efficiently provide value while maintaining testable and deployable software, leading to bottlenecks in software development processes focused on cost, quality, and time to market.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for defining and utilizing minimal testable values (MTVs) that identifies, links, confirms, and maintains these values throughout the software development project lifecycle, ensuring end-to-end testing and certification, thereby enabling parallel testing activities and customer transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If comprehensive testing is performed to ensure software quality, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to testing bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments testing into multiple levels (unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing) with clearly defined responsibilities for different roles. This segmentation allows parallel execution of testing activities at different levels, reducing the overall testing bottleneck while maintaining comprehensive quality coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by requiring testable value definitions, test case preparation, and test environment setup before actual software delivery. This ensures that testing can proceed efficiently without delays during the delivery phase, as testing artifacts are prepared in advance.
2Reliability
If extensive testing is conducted to maintain quality, then reliability is improved, but time to market worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous testing throughout the software development lifecycle, with testing activities occurring concurrently with development rather than as a separate final phase. This continuous testing approach maintains quality while accelerating time to market by eliminating sequential testing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
Testable values and test cases are defined preliminarily during requirements analysis and design phases, enabling immediate testing upon code completion. This preliminary preparation of testing artifacts significantly reduces the time required for quality verification before deployment.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed testing requirements are specified to ensure quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity worsens due to testing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal testing framework that can handle multiple testing types (unit, integration, system, acceptance) and multiple software components through a common set of testable values and standardized test procedures. This universality maintains precise testing across all levels while reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
4Reliability
If comprehensive testing coverage is achieved to ensure quality, then reliability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to testing duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments comprehensive testing coverage into hierarchical levels (unit, integration, system, acceptance) that can be executed in parallel by different teams. This segmentation achieves complete testing coverage while reducing total testing duration through concurrent execution rather than sequential processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for defining and utilizing minimal testable values for software project development and operations. In operation, a system identifies a software development project. The system defines an initial list of minimal testable values (MTVs) as part of a backlog definition stage associated with a project backlog corresponding to the software development project. The system links the MTVs to the project backlog. The system confirms the MTVs as part of a backlog confirmation stage associated with the software development project. Further, the system maintains the MTVs during a backlog grooming stage associated with the software development project. Moreover, the system certifies the MTVs after each delivery of software associated with the software development project.