This document explores the feasibility of constructing a software tool that facilitates the OATS testing approach.

The OATS testing technique provides an algorithm for selecting test cases. The algorithm provides a means of eliminating duplicate, or nearly duplicate, test cases. The company's testing course has introduced thousands of people to the OATS approach and has created a need for the proposed tool. The company would gain additional recognition within companies if it provided a low cost option for facilitating the process of planning tests using OATS.

Thousands of people are using the Orthogonal Array Testing System (OATS) testing approach. The approach requires a tedious process of selecting an orthogonal array and replacing the numbers in the array with problem-specific values. The users of the OATS technique would benefit from a tool that automates some portion of that process.

The actions performed by the proposed tool can be handled by the average tester without the tool; however, the tool will make the process easier and quicker. The low pay off of the tool requires a low price. In fact we propose to give the tool away as a promotional attraction to our web site.

The user of the tool should be able to:

• Examine existing orthogonal arrays
• Import new arrays
• Map a testing problem onto the appropriate array
• Print the solution
• Export a solution to a text file

The success of this product will be measured by the number of scheduled consulting engagements that result from companies using the tool. Other measures include:

• the amount of the OATS process that is automated by the tool and the ease of use of the tool.
• the reduction in the number of transcription errors that happen when the tester "maps" onto the OA
• the number of web sites that linkk to the OATS download site

A prototype of the system exists. It can be run to give developers a better idea of what needs to be developed. The experience gained by building it will contribute to making the "real" version correct in much less time.

• The current system has known bugs. Care must be taken to ensure that these are not incorporated into the final product.

The processing of the tool is mainly user interactions. There is very little actual computation. Possibilities include:

• Selecting a language or generator that facilitates the development of a complex user interface. On the other hand, we have a staff of programmers with a specific set of skills.
• Use an incremental development approach in which we plan a series of releases. Each release increases the portion of the OATS process that is automated. Each release works without waiting for the next one.
• Adopting a data-driven approach that uses a web front-end and an XML representation for the test information.

This project is feasible due to several factors.

• The principal source of labor will be a senior partner of the firm who is not salaried. His time does not incur real costs to the company; although there is the opportunity cost (what else he could be doing for the company with that time).
• The second factor is the availability of the Java JDK1.3 that contains a large number of components that can be used to quickly build the product. They are royalty free and have matured over several releases.
• Students in CpSc 372 will also be working for free.

Since no revenue will be generated by this product, it is essential that it be distributed with a license that protects the company from any liability. This is possible with the JDK from SUN and the GNU licensing process. Our license must include the SUN license in the product distribution.

We have a fixed delivery point due to the nature of the project. The final project must be delivered on the last class day of the semester.

• Analysis - estimated at 20 hours
• Architectural Design - estimated at 40 hours
• Detailed Design - estimated at 80 hours
• Implementation/Unit Test - estimated at 120 hours
• System Verification - estimated at 40 hours

This project is approved for immediate funding.

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John D. McGregor, Senior Partner