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Testing and QA

And here is a link to a good example

Make a page that shows how you have tested your product and how you have applied Q&A and Q&C throughout your work

In the design world

When any new product reaches completion it needs to be fully tested before it can be put onto the market (made available for people to buy and or use).

If you remember,, in the design world designers work in a similar way to how we are working within our project, they will work out exactly what they are trying to do and then look at ways of doing it. To help designers have a really clear idea about what they need to make they come up with a specification ( A list of things that there product must be, do and have.

So…

When they have reached the end of there journey and have a finished product in front of them, they must make sure that the product is everything that they wanted it to be (as they wrote down on there specification) before the commit themselves to setting up the manufacturing of that product. (( just imaging what would happen if they went straight to manufacture without making sure the product was correct?))

So…

You will need to look back at your specification.

What does your specification say your product must be do and have?

Does your product live up to the specification?

To find out if certain parts of your product meet the specification you will need to test them.

So…

You will need to work out a testing plan and then right up the results

You will need to say how when you where making your product you devised and carried out a list of checks to make sure everything was going in the right direction

(you don’t want to find out that your case has a crack down the just after you have secured in your last LED (( how would you make sure this did not happen and why would it be in your interest to make sure this situation did not arise?))

Q and A stands for Quality Assurance and here is a good explanation of what this means http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_assurance

Q and C stands for Quality Control and here is a good explanation of what this means http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_control

Within this page on ‘Testing’ you should also show how you have applied Q&A and Q&C to your work

Here are some examples of things that you might do tests on test:

Does the Astable oscillate at the frequency required (do your lights flash at the speed ya wan um)	Check it with a stop watch or if its too fast to check with your perception then ask teacher for the frequency counter (box that looks a bit like the oscilloscope but measures frequency)
Does the Mono stable have the required time high (work it out!)	Use a stop watch
Is the case suitable for its purpose if you have made an amplifier does it help the sound quality in some way, is it strong enough to be moved around (how is it to be used,, to find this out check your specification). If you have made a save then is the case strong enough for the purpose,	Suitable tests could be Get people to use the product and get feedback from them Repeatedly use the product to test durability Move the item around in the way that it was designed to be moved around
Ergonomics and case Is the case easy to use as stated in specification is it easy to press the buttons and operate the product is the case easy to handle is the case easy to pick up is the case easy to move is the case easy to store is it easy to get the battery out of the case is it easy to change the battery is it easy to inspect the circuit when it stops working is it easy to access all buttons and switches	Suitable tests could be Get people to use your product and give feedback Ask people to follow a set of actions while using your product Try placing your case in a number of environments that it was made for and notice its effectiveness Take off the inspection panel and change the battery a number of times Use the product in the way it was designed to be used Switch the product on and off Press the buttons a number of times
Circuit Does the circuit work? Does the circuit do everything you said it must do within your specification Are the LEDs bright enough to be seen in the conditions the product was designed for Is my buzzer load enough for its purpose Is my time delay suitable for the purpose Does the circuit continue to work after a prolonged period of use Does my battery life meet the demands of my circuits purpose How sensitive is my input trigger, does it meet the demands of my specification You will need to come up with your own list depending on the function of your circuit!	Suitable tests could be Check if the circuit works as it should Check that your circuit does everything that your specification states it should Place your product within the environment that it was designed for and check that the LEDs are bright enough for there purpose Ask others to use your product within a situation that it was designed for Switch the circuit on and off over a prolonged period of time and check the results Leave your circuit running or keep it in full operational mode for a prolonged period of time and check the results Check your pressure pad, input switch, steady hand wire connection, guitar input signal, micro switch etc to make sure it is delivering the correct signal. Think of some other checks that are really relevant to your specific product
Safety Does my product have any sharp edges Does my product have any dangerous shapes when in use Does my product have any parts that become dangerous when in motion Does my product have any exposed wires that may cause electrocution of any kind does my product have any small parts that may break off and be swallowed by young children (if its not for children would you make this clear to the consumer (the buyer of your product)) Is your product made of or contain any materials that may be hazardous to health or have irritant properties You do not want to hurt anyone or get sued for this so think of anything that could go wrong with your product and create your checks accordingly	Suitable tests could be: Make safety checks on your product looking for sharp edges Make safety checks on your product looking parts that become dangerous when in motion Use the product in a way that it was designed to be used and beyond! As you cannot be sure that it will always be used as it was designed , so you will have to be more vigorous within this part of your testing. Check for small parts that could come away from the main body of your product Check your materials to make sure they are safe for the human body! Make sure that there are no exposed wires that could come into contact with the body or water etc Devise your own checks based on your own product
Aesthetics Deose your product look the way you said it would look in your specification and designs?	Suitable tests could be: Get other peoples opinion Use your own judgement
Can you think of anything else that needs to be checked before you commit to having your product commercially produced and put on to the marked. You will loose a lot of money and consumer confidence if you put out a product that has defects!