Create structured Phases and Features to provide an efficient and enjoyable testing experience for testers
This article applies to All editions.
The Test planning management tool is where you will set the pace and schedule of your project. Segmenting your Features into unique Phases improves tester energy, increases engagement, and provides a more enjoyable testing experience by providing them with a clear sense of direction.
Phase types: Phases are scheduled testing periods, focused on a specific feature set of the product you are testing. Phases come in three types, all with different purposes, described below:
Onboarding: Onboarding focuses on preparing Testers for the Project. The purpose of the Onboarding phase is to get settled in and familiarize themselves with the Centercode platform. As a Project Manager, you can use this time to ensure that the testers have appropriately received the product or software you intend to test, and are ready to go when the first Engagement Phase begins. During this phase, if enabled, Ted will send out a series of introductory emails to your testers to help them prepare for the test.
Engagement: Engagement phases will comprise the bulk of your test, and are where you will create the Features and Activities used to gather your testers’ valuable feedback. Within an engagement phase, you will create Features (and their associated Activities). A standard Project will generally contain multiple Engagement Phases set up to split your test into distinct periods of testing focusing on a specific feature set of the project. During this phase, if enabled, Ted will contact testers frequently (more information available here), letting them know about their progress within the phase and pointing them towards areas they have not yet completed that need attention.
Closure: The Closure phase focuses on wrapping up the project, allowing you time to coordinate the return of testing units and the distribution of incentives (if applicable). During this phase, if enabled, Ted will send out a final summary email to testers giving them an overview of all the activities they completed and thanking them for their participation.
To create a new Phase:
- From anywhere within your Project click Management > Test Plan in the upper navigation bar
- Click Create a Phase in the upper right-hand corner
- Enter a name for your phase
- Select your Phase Type (Onboarding, Engagement, or Closure)
- Select a start and end date for your phase
- Assign Team Access to your phase
- Click Publish, Save progress or Nevermind
Notes
- Expired phases can't be extended. If you need to gather more data on a particular feature, use the Move option by hovering over the feature in Test Planning and clicking Move. From there, you can put that feature into a different phase and continue testing.