Rating: 
Summary: Better late than never
Review: "Automated Software Testing" is one of those books that I wish had been available much earlier. An abundance of information that the test manager needs to know is compiled here comprehensively and in a very structured order. The order is not an incidental one, but rather a six step process called Automated Test Lifecycle Methodology (ATML). If this process is followed, the software development process could improve to a higher level of maturity. Each step is analysed carefully and supported by checklists, tables and decision helpers. In this book not only are the advantages of automated testing described but also warnings to avoid using automated testing when not applicable appear at the right places. The chapter Test Execution and Review enables the reader also to profit from the lessons learned at various test sites. I recommend to every test manager that this book resides on his or her office book shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Better late than never
Review: "Automated Software Testing" is one of those books that I wish had been available much earlier. An abundance of information that the test manager needs to know is compiled here comprehensively and in a very structured order. The order is not an incidental one, but rather a six step process called Automated Test Lifecycle Methodology (ATML). If this process is followed, the software development process could improve to a higher level of maturity. Each step is analysed carefully and supported by checklists, tables and decision helpers. In this book not only are the advantages of automated testing described but also warnings to avoid using automated testing when not applicable appear at the right places. The chapter Test Execution and Review enables the reader also to profit from the lessons learned at various test sites. I recommend to every test manager that this book resides on his or her office book shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Best of Breed
Review: As a Software Quality Assurance manager with almost 20 years experience in the field (and automated testing experience dating back to the DOS days) I highly recommend this book.Dustin, Rashka, and Paul have managed to articulate the best practices I've used throughout my SQA career. The ATLM (Automated Test Lifecycle Methodology) they describe in detail is valuable not only in successfully planning an *automated* testing project, but in the successful development of an overall testing strategy. If you are looking for a deeper understanding of successful software quality assurance, especially automated testing, this should be the FIRST book you buy. The information is detailed enough that this may be the ONLY book you need to buy.
Rating: 
Summary: A Compilation of Generalizations
Review: As an engineer involved with software QA for a number of years, I found the book to be so generalized as to be essentially worthless. The authors devote page after page to explain methods and procedures with diagrams that depict the intuitively obvious. Their ATLM (Automated Test Life-Cycle Methodology) is as complicated as diagramming the Earth's water cycle. I don't need to spend Forty odd dollars and peruse 600 pages to learn that I might be able to use some nonspecific automated testing tool somewhere along the software development process.
Rating:
Summary: ATLM - Now our company standard
Review: Don't know how our team managed without this book the past two years testing several incremental deliveries on a very large software development project. It's a simple fact that we struggled and received a lot of criticm from management. Since obtaining this book we have immediately put it to good use. In fact we have adopted the book and particularly the ATLM as our company standard software testing approach. Much thanks to the authors for doing such a comprehensive and thorough job of covering this topic. The use of this book is making my life on this project a whole lot more fulfilling.
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent step-by-step how to book!
Review: Finally it is recognized that testing is a lifecycle of its own! Automating testing has so many nuances that many items can be easily overlooked. This book explains those items and provides a step-by-step guide for managers and testers to use to help ensure their testing effort is a success. As a manager of both testers and developers, I find this book to be incredibly helpful for for the complete testing lifecycle (as well as the development lifecycle). I have worked with the author (Elfriede Dustin) before and have learned much of my testing knowledge from her. I kept saying that I wish I had documented everything she taught me because the information was so valuable. Finally, I have Elfriede's experience documented. This book is now my testing bible!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, clear and very informative - highly recommended
Review: Having been in the testing business for some years, I have yet to find a book on any aspect of software testing that is as interesting to read and as well structured as this book. The methodology (ATLM) is greatly needed, especially in my part of the world and there is also a vast amount of information relating to testing in general which it has always been difficult to find in one place. This book will be invaluable to anyone who needs to organise, plan and make decisions concerning a project test phase (this often being the area of greatest confusion in software development) and who wishes to understand and integrate the automated aspect of testing. I particularly like the extensive use of tables which give succinct descriptions of many of the key areas in testing. I plan to adopt the principles and methodology fully in my test consultancy which I shall use alongside my company's own test management application. Congratulations to all concerned. This is easily the best book in my extensive testing library!
Rating: 
Summary: Anyone serious about QA should possess this book.
Review: Having spent the past fifteen years working in the software industry with more than a decade exclusively devoted to the concentration of Quality Assurance (QA), I find this book to be extremely useful for anyone desiring or requiring information about the processes and mindset related to ensuring successful software releases. Though there are numerous possible approaches for accomplishing QA efficiency, there are equally as many paths leading to failure and inefficieny. Fortunately, this book lends itself to the principles and practices for achieving success on a project, on a departmental, and on an individual basis. Without doubt, whether you are a novice or an expert, you will gain at least one useful piece to the QA puzzle. In an effort to see a second edition, I've forwarded a wish list which you may have by sending a request to me via email. Disclaimer: All statements in this review are opinions and no monetary compensation has been awarded to me from anyone regarding this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Compilation of Generalizations
Review: How can I possibly add to the 33 previous glowing reviews of this outstanding book? To start, this book is about much more than automated software testing - it is a guide to setting up and operating a solid testing organization. Yet, it is about much more than organizing and managing testing - it also explains how testing fits within the development life cycle and provides in-depth details on different testing techniques. It goes further still - it introduces a testing life cycle called the Automated Test Life-Cycle Methodology (ATLM), which is [in my opinion] a major contribution to the software testing profession. The authors obviously know their stuff. They share invaluable knowledge on how to organize softwarte testing, covering every facet from building a business case to staffing considerations. This is augmented by a work breakdown structure (WBS) for implementing testing, which is a great foundation for a project plan. As someone who evangelizes using WBS as the basis for project planning and estimating I think this alone is worth the price of the book. The job descriptions for test staff, backed up with sound advice on the recruiting and interviewing process, add to the value. Their approach to managing the testing process is the best I have ever seen, and if followed will transform any test function or organization into a cost-effective center of excellentce that will pay big dividends in downstream service delivery. I think the clear, cogent definitions of testing techniques and associated documentation removes a lot of the ambiguity that plagues the profession. This information is a good refresher for experienced practitioners and great training material for new testers. This book covers a lot of ground: organization, process, procedures and techniques, business case development and test management. Each of these subjects could merit an entire book, yet this book treats each in depth and detail, and sets the interrelationships among the subjects. This is no small task and earns my recommendation that if you only buy one book on software testing this should be it.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on software testing
Review: How can I possibly add to the 33 previous glowing reviews of this outstanding book? To start, this book is about much more than automated software testing - it is a guide to setting up and operating a solid testing organization. Yet, it is about much more than organizing and managing testing - it also explains how testing fits within the development life cycle and provides in-depth details on different testing techniques. It goes further still - it introduces a testing life cycle called the Automated Test Life-Cycle Methodology (ATLM), which is [in my opinion] a major contribution to the software testing profession. The authors obviously know their stuff. They share invaluable knowledge on how to organize softwarte testing, covering every facet from building a business case to staffing considerations. This is augmented by a work breakdown structure (WBS) for implementing testing, which is a great foundation for a project plan. As someone who evangelizes using WBS as the basis for project planning and estimating I think this alone is worth the price of the book. The job descriptions for test staff, backed up with sound advice on the recruiting and interviewing process, add to the value. Their approach to managing the testing process is the best I have ever seen, and if followed will transform any test function or organization into a cost-effective center of excellentce that will pay big dividends in downstream service delivery. I think the clear, cogent definitions of testing techniques and associated documentation removes a lot of the ambiguity that plagues the profession. This information is a good refresher for experienced practitioners and great training material for new testers. This book covers a lot of ground: organization, process, procedures and techniques, business case development and test management. Each of these subjects could merit an entire book, yet this book treats each in depth and detail, and sets the interrelationships among the subjects. This is no small task and earns my recommendation that if you only buy one book on software testing this should be it.
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