A structured approach to improving software-reliability using operational profiles

To ensure high reliability software products it is necessary to test the software in all aspects of its usage. However, economic constraints preclude the possibility of exhaustive testing thus necessitating the allocation of testing resources based on the frequency of usage of the features/functions being tested. The operational profile is a recognized method of capturing software usage information. In this paper a method for developing the operational profile for interactive users of a software program is explained. This work shows how to use a technique which is easily taught to software developers; the method provides value to software development staff in the following ways: Rapid development of an operational profile; Increased understanding of how the product supports the work required by the product specification; Selection of test cases using software tools; Selection of test cases based on the usage frequency of the function/feature. The method is illustrated with an example that also shows the use of a test case selection tool that facilitates the testers task by using as input information that has already been obtained while developing the operational profile