Testing is important and should be built into any project schedule
if possible. It can take many forms and can be time consuming
and expensive, but it is a necessary procedure in order to find
out what aspects of a project are failing and how a system or
programme can be improved.
- A test might be a pilot programme to see if a format will
work or if an audience will respond positively to the show if
a series is commissioned
- In multimedia testing can be applied at every stage of a
project and different approaches need to be taken if there are
mixed formats
A testing strategy is defining what action will be taken to ensure
an end product is one where team responsibilities have been met,
that the application works as specified at the outset and that
it meets the requirements of the client.
It is important when budgeting to understand how to cost different
methods of testing and in some instances companies may be drafted
in to perform specialist forms of testing.
In multimedia, development testing explores the following elements:
- Structure
- Text
- Audio and video
- Graphics
- Navigation
Acceptance testing will test for design defects and it is important
to define what the acceptance levels are at the start of a project.
A limited liability clause may be included in a contract to ensure
boundaries are clear. Testing may also be carried out on usability,
browsers, software and content as well as concept testing, system
testing and bug testing. It is important to test ideas as much
can be gleaned from this information. Tests can reveal if an idea
is being taken in the wrong direction. Testing can be something
as simple as showing a design to colleagues, friends or family
to get a response, or even testing out an idea by telephoning
people and talking them through it to see what reaction you get.
 |
On things like websites and CDs we have
to test for programming bugs and we take responsibility
for testing it in house to a certain level, but then
our client has to take responsibility because of the
different platforms. On a CD Rom it's absolutely crucial
that everything's ironed out from the start, but it's
actually real use that's going to iron those out. Karen
Fewell |
 |
|
|
