During software testing, it is essential to get results that are almost similar to real-world; then only the software product can be ensured that, it will work on the end-user's actual environment; for acceptance testing this would be high priority. Testing the software product on the real-world similar environment is must. For this, the test environment should be setup and maintain properly to facilitate various teams (developers, testing teams) along with correct test data and ability to reproduce without any issues.
At the initial stage the test environment specification is developed and during the project, the specification may be analyzed further and revised to make sure it reflects the actual environment where the software is going to run lively. Also, it is to assure that the test environment is valid, reusable and easy to manage. By having the test environment specification at initial stage, there are more time to build and setup the test environment and having the setup environment ready to use is very helpful to detect any early defects even at developing stage.
Having different test environment for developers and testers is an additional cost for the organization; the same test environment can be used by both teams. But on such case, there should be proper management and perfect procedures in play to utilize the use of the environment in order to deliver the high quality software on the scheduled release date. Failure to have the test environment management on table can create conflicts between teams and that can introduce delays to the project and spoil the peace among teams which may lead to failure of the project. To avoid all these issues, a well built testing environment management system contains procedures to control the access, to record event logs, to manage test data efficiently and offers technical support from the developers of the particular test environment system; there can be automated methodology applied in the test environment to reduce the time and save cost. There are software testing tools in the market that support agile with discipline concepts, offers such automated features and ease off the duties and responsibilities of mangers (or management). Investing on such tools/software is highly recommend to mange the software testing and overall the release management.
At the initial stage the test environment specification is developed and during the project, the specification may be analyzed further and revised to make sure it reflects the actual environment where the software is going to run lively. Also, it is to assure that the test environment is valid, reusable and easy to manage. By having the test environment specification at initial stage, there are more time to build and setup the test environment and having the setup environment ready to use is very helpful to detect any early defects even at developing stage.
Having different test environment for developers and testers is an additional cost for the organization; the same test environment can be used by both teams. But on such case, there should be proper management and perfect procedures in play to utilize the use of the environment in order to deliver the high quality software on the scheduled release date. Failure to have the test environment management on table can create conflicts between teams and that can introduce delays to the project and spoil the peace among teams which may lead to failure of the project. To avoid all these issues, a well built testing environment management system contains procedures to control the access, to record event logs, to manage test data efficiently and offers technical support from the developers of the particular test environment system; there can be automated methodology applied in the test environment to reduce the time and save cost. There are software testing tools in the market that support agile with discipline concepts, offers such automated features and ease off the duties and responsibilities of mangers (or management). Investing on such tools/software is highly recommend to mange the software testing and overall the release management.