ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an outline of the steps involved in acquiring, implementing, and using testing tools. The management of any significant project requires that the work be divided into tasks for which completion criteria can be defined. Typical selection criteria include the following: Most of these criteria must be considered further to permit objective evaluation, but this step may be left to the individual who does the scoring. If the selected tool receive the highest score, the software engineer must review the tool characteristics thoroughly to avoid unexpected installation difficulties. The technical portions of the request for proposal should be generated from the technical requirements document and any user comments. On the basis of the combined cost, schedule, and technical factors, a source for the tool is selected. Training in the operation and installation of the selected tool in the form of review of documentation, visits to the tool's current users, or training by the vendor must be arranged.
