Getting Started with your Virtual QA Lab

You love the idea of a virtual QA Lab but wonder how to begin. At the beginning, as with any project, with the high level requirements and the business systems design review. Get your ideas in line with the needs of the business.

Define and Prepare

The solution must be designed to provide stable services to the Quality Assurance and Development Departments by implementing network servers and updated software purchased from approved vendors. This will have direct impact on reducing business risk, increasing availability of the applications in line with current projections for the QA and Development Departments and compliance with SoX audit trail requirements. Not worried about SoX? Someone in your organization will be concerned with audits, be is SoX or something else. Having an audit trail protects the business from anything that may occur in the future so plan for it now.

Anyone for Scope?

Gain a complete understanding of what exists today in your world. Do you have any single point of failures? Lack of failover systems? Operating systems that are not part of a security patching schedule and are therefore out of date posing a security risk. Have the needs and volume changed since the original equipment was put in place? What are those? How do you plan to address that?

The Virtual QA lab will aims to resolve all the outdated and growth issues now and in the future by upgrading hardware, implementing adequate security polices and adding support and training. Be sure your plan:

• Specifies clearly the needs and offerings.
• Is clear and focused to avoid misinterpretation.
• Measureble to be quantified and compared to other data.
• Attainable: achievable, reasonable, and credible under conditions expected.
• Realistic: fits into the organization's constraints and is cost effective.
• Timely.

Phase It!

This is not a simple undertaking for an organization that has not walked down this road before. Avoid the overwhelming feeling by phasing your plan. Make it simple and understandable to avoid the "this is too complex" thoughts your customers have in their minds before it hits their lips.

For example, in the initial phase, new hardware may be purchased and installed in an approved data center. New Application software may be installed and configured. Be sure to include assets and how they will be accommodated.

Be absolutely certain to include savings, this is a critical part of this plan. Include those costs associated with exposure due to outdated and aged out hardware, as well as growth both immediate and in the future.

Get Specific

If you have done your homework up to know, you are fully aware of the pains within the QA organization and the organization overall. Address those pains in specific, real terms. What if you are new or trying to do this as an outside vendor with no specifics? Ask questions! Most clients are more than happy to talk about their pain. They need your help, after all, that is why they are talking to you in the first place. Don't miss any opportunities to learn about the pain and pleasure of the current systems and environments and address them.

Need Help?

Give me a call, an email or contact me in whatever way you feel most comfortable. I am very happy to help and am certain I can be of help to you in your plan. I have implemented this solution ins both large and small organizations and can customize this cost saving solution to fit any environment and company size.