Kanban method for system test in a multi-project organization

Massimo Foddis, Ericsson               Lucia Morandi, Ericsson

Purpose: to show how in Ericsson R&D we organized the system test on Telecom equipment with Kanban methodologies.

Software and hardware complexity in telecom equipment is increasing more and more. Waterfall method would not be enough to meet quality and deadlines. Thanks to agile testing methodology, both higher quality and shorter lead times can be achieved. R&D operations were organized into an agile streamline way of working, and thanks to Kanban and continuous risk-based testing we can now keep its pace. We fully implement our agile test strategy, promptly executing system test campaigns for different projects, on both Software and Hardware deliveries, in a globally distributed organization. We continuously assess the quality of the system release, with the same eyes of our final customers. We can successfully face frequent deliveries and are open to frequent changes in priorities. We provide early feedback to development teams, even in front of frequent requirement changes, to which we can adapt in real time. Testers skills are challenged and grown on different areas and people keeps enthusiastic and motivated. On top of that, we leverage on test automation as the way to gain time and ensure quality.