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Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy
Greg Paskal
4.6
Based on 85 ratings
Greg Paskal
METS is built upon the principle that testing can be prioritized from Critical to High, Medium, and Low tasks. This prioritization provides great flexibility to reduce as much risk as possible within the timeframe given. METS is an essential testing strategy utilized by Quality Assurance organizations around the world. METS is a dynamic approach that grows with the maturity of your software and team. METS easily complements existing test methodologies already implemented.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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What's inside
Learning objectives
- Fundamentals of software testing
- Quality assurance techniques
- Test strategy
- Mets testing
- Test planning
- Fundamentals of software testing
- Quality assurance techniques
- Test strategy
- Mets testing
- Test planning
Syllabus
Introduction
Greg Paskal introduction and course overview
The problem that Quality Engineers encounter leads to why METS can be so useful.
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction
Greg Paskal introduction and course overview
The problem that Quality Engineers encounter leads to why METS can be so useful.
Read more
From different perceptions, testers see opportunities where others may see nothing. Along this journey, METS is born.
Go into some basics of the METS strategy and learn how this approach can complement an existing testing approach. METS is perfect when something needs to be tested very quickly and can also be a great guide during exploratory testing.
You can identify things from both a functional and physical perspective.
Functional examples of an SUV such as accelerating or stopping are like functional examples of an application such as creating an account or logging in.
Physical examples of an SUV such as tires of glass are like physical examples of an application such as buttons or form fields.
Learn how things can be prioritized from Critical, High, Medium, and Low.
Functional prioritization example of stopping using Critical, High Medium, and Low. Prioritization takes practice.
Physical prioritization example of tires and their condition using Critical, High, Medium, and Low. Most people find it easier to conceptualize the physical prioritization over the functional.
Begin to build your own METS based on the principles we've learned
Build your first Functional METS and learn some interesting ways to bring additional analysis to your METS tests.
Next, build your first Physical METS and learn how these can be used universally across other applications.
Learn how to use METS to help you identify candidates for automation.
METS can be a great tool for training and onboarding new team members.
Some additional ideas to get the most out of METS.
Some parting thoughts with a few lessons learned to help you get the most out of METS.
Take your first steps by downloading a METS template or generating one in your own spreadsheet.
Thank you for attending my course. You can connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpaskal/. If you're an Automation Engineer, check out my book, Test Automation in the Real World, at https://RealWorldTestAutomation.com/. I've also started a new YouTube channel for Test Engineers at https://www.CraftOfTesting.com. Download sample METS at https://www.METSTesting.com/ or from the attached resources here.
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Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy.
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Career center
Learners who complete Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Software Quality Assurance Engineer
Software Quality Assurance Engineer
The role of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer is central to ensuring software products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course provides a direct and invaluable foundation for this career, focusing specifically on critical methodologies. Learners will gain expertise in Quality Assurance Techniques, learn how to develop a robust Test Strategy, and master the METS Testing approach for prioritizing tasks from Critical to Low. This curriculum prepares individuals to reduce risk effectively within given timeframes, identify both functional and physical aspects of applications for thorough inspection, and complement existing test methodologies, making it an essential course for aspiring or current Software Quality Assurance Engineers.
Software Test Engineer
Software Test Engineer
A Software Test Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and executing tests to ensure software functionality and performance. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course directly supports this career path by focusing on practical testing methodologies. It helps build a foundation in the Fundamentals of Software Testing and Test Planning, crucial for any Software Test Engineer. Learners apply the METS approach to prioritize testing efforts, categorizing tasks from Critical to Low, which is vital for efficient resource allocation and risk mitigation. The course also details how to identify functional and physical components of applications for comprehensive testing, skills immediately applicable to daily test engineering tasks.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analyst
A Quality Assurance Analyst plays a pivotal role in examining software systems to identify defects and ensure adherence to quality standards. This course, "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy," offers highly relevant training for aspiring and current Quality Assurance Analysts. It covers essential Quality Assurance Techniques and Test Strategy, providing a systematic approach to quality. Through the METS Testing methodology, learners acquire the skill to prioritize testing efforts Critical, High, Medium, Low allowing for focused analysis and efficient risk reduction within development cycles. The course's approach to identifying functional and physical aspects of applications directly enhances an analyst's ability to scrutinize and evaluate software quality comprehensively.
Test Automation Engineer
Test Automation Engineer
A Test Automation Engineer develops and implements automated test scripts and frameworks, significantly accelerating the testing process. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course provides highly relevant insights for this specialized role. It helps build a foundation in test strategy and understanding what makes a test valuable for automation. A Test Automation Engineer can leverage the METS approach to identify candidates for automation, focusing on Critical and High priority functional and physical tests that offer the greatest return on investment and risk reduction. The emphasis on systematic prioritization and understanding application components is invaluable for designing effective and maintainable automated test suites.
Software Developer Engineer in Test
Software Developer Engineer in Test
A Software Developer Engineer in Test combines software development skills with a deep understanding of testing methodologies to build robust test infrastructures. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course offers valuable perspectives for aspiring Software Developer Engineers in Test. It helps build a foundation in the Fundamentals of Software Testing and Test Strategy, which are crucial for designing effective test frameworks and automation solutions. Understanding the METS approach to prioritize functional and physical aspects of an application from Critical to Low enables a Software Developer Engineer in Test to architect focused, high-impact testing solutions and ensure comprehensive coverage where it matters most, integrating quality early in the development cycle.
Quality Control Specialist
Quality Control Specialist
A Quality Control Specialist ensures that products meet specified quality standards through inspection and various checks throughout the development lifecycle. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course is highly relevant for this role, as it focuses on systematic quality assurance techniques. It helps build a foundation in test strategy and understanding how to prioritize quality checks from Critical to High, Medium, and Low. This approach enables a Quality Control Specialist to effectively allocate resources to areas of highest risk, ensuring that the most vital aspects of a product are thoroughly vetted. The course's teachings on identifying functional and physical components are directly applicable to comprehensive quality inspections.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer bridges development and operations, focusing on automating and streamlining the software delivery process, where continuous testing is paramount. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course helps build a foundation in test strategy and quality assurance techniques essential for integrating quality throughout the pipeline. Understanding the METS approach to prioritizing tests Critical, High, Medium, and Low can inform a DevOps Engineer on how to best implement continuous testing, ensuring that the most vital checks run frequently and efficiently. The course's insights into identifying candidates for automation directly align with the DevOps principle of maximizing automation for faster feedback and reliable deployments.
Release Manager
Release Manager
A Release Manager is responsible for planning, scheduling, and controlling the software development and deployment processes, with a critical focus on ensuring the quality and stability of releases. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be useful for this role by providing insights into test strategy and quality assurance techniques. Understanding how testing can be prioritized from Critical to High, Medium, and Low tasks is invaluable for a Release Manager in assessing release readiness, managing associated risks, and making informed decisions about deployment schedules, ensuring that critical functionalities are thoroughly validated before users receive them.
Product Manager
Product Manager
A Product Manager leads the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for a product, acting as the voice of the customer and business. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be helpful by offering valuable insights into fundamental quality assurance techniques and test strategy. Understanding how testing prioritizes functional and physical aspects of a product Critical, High, Medium, and Low can enable a Product Manager to make informed decisions about feature readiness, release quality, and resource allocation. This perspective ensures that quality is embedded into the product lifecycle from concept to launch, aligning product development with robust validation processes.
Project Manager
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees software development projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be helpful by offering insights into test strategy and test planning, which are integral to project success. Understanding how testing is prioritized, from Critical to High, Medium, and Low, can enable a Project Manager to effectively manage the testing phase, allocate resources, and identify potential risks early. This knowledge contributes to better project scheduling and ensures that quality assurance activities are efficiently integrated into the overall project plan.
Scrum Master
Scrum Master
A Scrum Master facilitates agile development teams, guiding them in adhering to Scrum principles and delivering high-quality, working software increments. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be helpful by providing valuable insights into test strategy and quality assurance techniques. Understanding how testing can be prioritized Critical, High, Medium, and Low to effectively reduce risk within sprint timeframes can enable a Scrum Master to better support teams in planning their work, addressing impediments related to quality, and fostering an environment where testing is a continuous and integrated part of the development process, aligning with agile values.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst bridges the gap between business needs and technical solutions, translating requirements into actionable plans for development and testing teams. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be useful by helping build a foundation in quality assurance techniques and test strategy. Understanding how functional and physical aspects of an application are identified and prioritized for testing (Critical, High, Medium, Low) can enable a Business Analyst to write more precise, testable requirements, anticipate potential quality issues, and better collaborate with testing teams to ensure that the developed solutions truly meet the business objectives and quality expectations.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst designs and implements information systems, focusing on optimizing functionality and efficiency within an organization. While this role has a broad scope, understanding system quality is fundamental. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be useful by helping to build a foundation in test strategy and quality assurance techniques. The ability to identify functional and physical components of a system and prioritize their testing (Critical, High, Medium, Low) can inform a Systems Analyst's design choices, ensuring that new systems are inherently robust, testable, and capable of meeting performance and reliability standards from their inception.
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer produces clear, concise documentation for software products, including user manuals, guides, and API documentation. To effectively explain software, a deep understanding of its functionality and potential user interactions is essential. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be useful by helping build a foundation in the fundamentals of software testing and identifying both functional and physical aspects of applications. Understanding how critical and high-priority functional areas are tested can provide a Technical Writer with crucial insights into core features, common use cases, and potential user challenges, enabling them to create more accurate and user-centric documentation.
User Experience Researcher
User Experience Researcher
A User Experience Researcher investigates user behaviors, needs, and motivations to inform the design and improvement of products. The "Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy" course may be useful by helping build a foundation in quality assurance techniques and understanding how functional aspects of an application are identified and tested. While not a direct UX course, knowing how critical functional issues are prioritized and addressed (Critical, High, Medium, Low) can provide a User Experience Researcher with insights into potential pain points users might encounter. This knowledge can help inform research questions and validate findings related to usability and product reliability.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/lben3e/introduction
Reading list
We've selected 24 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Introduction to METS the Minimal Essential Testing Strategy.
Written by the course instructor, this book provides the direct professional context and philosophy behind the METS strategy. It is an essential reference for understanding how to transition from manual prioritization to automation candidates. serves as both a prerequisite and a deep dive into the author's specific methodology for Quality Engineering.
This 2023 publication offers a modern perspective on test strategy that aligns perfectly with the METS approach to prioritization and risk management. It is highly valuable as additional reading for those looking to see how minimal strategies fit into a broader organizational context. The book provides significant breadth to the course's core concepts of functional and physical testing.
This modern textbook focuses on the practical application of testing techniques that align with the prioritized approach taught in the METS course. It provides significant depth regarding how to choose the right tests for the right situation, mirroring the Critical-to-Low prioritization logic. It is an excellent current reference for industry professionals looking to modernize their QA strategy.
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Published recently, this book covers a wide range of testing types including functional and non-functional aspects that complement the METS physical and functional examples. It is particularly helpful for providing background knowledge on how testing layers interact in modern applications. It is frequently used by industry professionals to establish comprehensive test plans.
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Focuses on the strategic side of QA, helping learners understand the 'why' behind testing prioritization like METS. It useful reference tool for managers who need to justify testing resource allocation based on risk. It adds breadth to the course by connecting testing strategies to business outcomes.
As a standard academic and professional textbook, this provides the foundational terminology and theory that METS builds upon. It is helpful for providing prerequisite knowledge on test levels and types. It remains a high-reputation resource for anyone pursuing a career in Quality Assurance.
Mirrors the 'minimal essential' philosophy of the course by providing a concise guide to testing in fast-paced environments. It is more valuable as additional reading to see how METS can be integrated into Agile workflows. It is highly regarded for its practical, no-nonsense approach to QA strategy.
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This comprehensive textbook provides the mathematical and logical rigor behind test case design, which complements the more intuitive METS prioritization. It useful reference tool for those wanting to understand the 'Physical' perspective of application testing in depth. It is widely used in academic institutions for software engineering tracks.
While focused on unit testing, the prioritization principles discussed here overlap with the METS strategy of identifying critical paths. It recent and highly popular resource for developers and testers alike. It provides excellent depth on how to maintain a sustainable and efficient test suite.
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Serves as a solid introductory guide to the principles of software testing, making it a great companion for the METS course. It covers test planning and strategy in a way that reinforces the course's learning objectives. It is published by the BCS and carries significant authority in the field.
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The course mentions METS great guide during exploratory testing, making this book a perfect topical match. It provides techniques for identifying functional and physical vulnerabilities that might not be captured in scripted tests. It highly respected reference tool for professional testers.
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This recent publication applies strategic testing principles to the critical area of APIs, which often require the 'Critical' prioritization level in METS. It provides practical examples of how to build a testing strategy from the ground up. It useful tool for technical testers looking to apply METS to backend services.
This classic text that established many of the fundamentals of the field, including the psychology of testing mentioned in the course. Although older, its reputation and authority are unmatched for providing background knowledge. It remains a staple on the reading lists of computer science programs worldwide.
While focused on business, the prioritization and risk-reduction strategies in this book align with the METS philosophy of testing the most critical items first. It is useful for adding breadth to a tester's understanding of why certain features are prioritized over others. It highly visual and accessible reference tool.
Addresses the need for speed and efficiency in testing, which core problem METS aims to solve. It provides additional reading on how to implement automated strategies that complement manual METS sheets. It relevant resource for those looking to apply the course concepts in a CI/CD pipeline.
Provides a rigorous academic look at QA techniques and test planning. It is more valuable as a current reference for formal QA standards than as a quick guide. It helps learners understand the broader 'Quality Assurance' umbrella under which METS operates.
Rex Black major authority in testing, and this book's focus on risk-based testing direct theoretical match for METS. It provides a structured approach to identifying 'Critical' and 'High' risk areas in a software project. It is commonly used by industry professionals to develop robust test plans.
Collection of insights that help testers think critically about their strategy, much like the 'perceptions' section of the METS course. It is essential additional reading for developing the mindset required for effective prioritization. It remains one of the most influential books in the testing community.
This handbook provides a deep dive into the roles and responsibilities of a test engineer, including strategy development. It useful reference tool for learners who want to see how METS fits into a standard professional career path. It offers a detailed look at functional vs. non-functional testing requirements.
Provides a high-reputation industry example of how a major tech company prioritizes its testing efforts. It serves as an excellent case study for the concepts of 'minimal' yet 'essential' testing at scale. It is more valuable as additional reading to gain perspective on different organizational approaches.
Classic reference for specific test design techniques that can be used to populate the METS spreadsheet. It provides the 'how-to' for the functional and physical examples mentioned in the course syllabus. It very practical tool for testers at any level of experience.
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This collection of essays provides breadth by showing various ways experts approach testing challenges. It is helpful for learners who want to see the 'craft' of testing beyond the basic strategy. It reinforces the idea that testing takes practice and a specific perspective, as noted in the course.
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A recent entry that discusses the evolution of testing in a high-speed development world. It aligns with the course's goal of providing flexibility to reduce risk within a given timeframe. It useful reference for contemporary QA professionals looking for updated strategies.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/lben3e/introduction
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