Smith, Michael RichardUlieru, MihaelaGeras, Adam M.2005-08-162005-08-1620040612975606http://hdl.handle.net/1880/41531Bibliography: p. 137-142In this thesis, two related streams of research are presented: the empirical evaluation stream and the organizational readiness stream. In the empirical evaluation steam, we describe the results of an experiment comparing traditional test-last development to test-driven development. Test-driven development is an approach for designing software that involves using tests to guide the design effort. In the organizational readiness stream of the research we report on the results of a regional survey of software testing practices and present the contents of a brief analysis of risks facing those organizations that are in the process of adopting test-driven development. The common thread between the two streams is software testing, specifically characterizing the testing-related skills that both developers and organizations require in order to continue to compete in the global software market. We conclude that there is a need for increased testing knowledge and ability; especially at the system and acceptance test levels. This increased knowledge would also decrease the risk the organization faces when migrating from a traditional test-last development process to a test­driven development process.xi, 165 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/12881AC1 .T484 2004 G47