Introduction
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the quality and reliability of technology solutions across the Commonwealth, I’m excited to share a new resource developed for our QA and project teams: the Context-Driven QA Guide. This guide was created during my tenure with CODEPA (the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience), working under the Office of Administration.
One of our goals: to help teams across the State integrate modern, flexible, and effective quality assurance (QA) practices into every stage of IT projects.
Why a Context-Driven Approach?
Traditional “one-size-fits-all” testing strategies often fall short in the complex, varied environments we face in state government. Our projects serve diverse stakeholders, operate under unique constraints, and must adapt to changing requirements and technologies. The Context-Driven QA Guide is designed to address these realities. It provides a practical framework that empowers teams to:
- Adapt testing practices to the specific needs and risks of each project.
- Focus on value and mission, not just process compliance.
- Leverage both human expertise and automation in a balanced, thoughtful way.
- Continuously learn and improve as projects evolve.
What’s Inside the Guide?
- Purpose & Goals: Who the guide is for and what it aims to achieve.
- Guiding Principles: The foundation of context-driven testing, emphasizing adaptability, skill, and mission alignment.
- Phases of Testing: How QA fits into every stage of the project lifecycle.
- Context Analysis: Tools and frameworks for understanding your project’s unique environment and risks.
- Planning: How to set clear objectives, choose the right tools, and design effective tests.
- Execution & Automation: Practical advice on balancing manual and automated testing, with a focus on what truly adds value.
- Evaluation & Reporting: How to communicate results, report bugs effectively, and drive continuous improvement.
- Resources: Further reading and training opportunities for ongoing learning.
Who Should Use This Guide?
This guide is intended for:
- New QA professionals looking for a practical starting point.
- Project managers seeking to integrate QA into their workflows.
- Development and operations teams who want to collaborate more effectively on quality.
- Anyone in the interested in building better, more reliable digital services.
How to Access and Use the Guide
The guide is available as an interactive web resource.
Teams are encouraged to:
- Reference it during project planning and retrospectives.
- Use its frameworks and checklists to guide test strategy discussions.
- Share it with new team members as part of onboarding.
- Suggest improvements and contribute to its evolution.
A Step Forward for State IT Quality
This initiative reflects our belief that quality is everyone’s responsibility—and that the best results come from empowering teams with the right tools, knowledge, and flexibility. By adopting a context-driven approach, we can deliver better outcomes for the people and communities we serve. Let’s keep raising the bar for quality in State IT—together.
