Boris Beizer, identified five phases of a tester’s mental life:
Phase 0: There’s no difference between testing and debugging. Other than in support of debugging, testing has no purpose.
Phase 0 Thinking: Testing = Debugging
Phase 1: The purpose of testing is to show that the software works.
Phase 1 Thinking: The S/W Works
Phase 2: The purpose of testing is to show that the software doesn’t work.
Phase 2 Thinking: The S/W Doesn’t Work
Phase 3: The purpose of testing is not to prove anything, but to reduce the perceived risk of the software not working to an acceptable value.
Phase 3 Thinking: Test for Risk Reduction
Phase 4: Testing is not an act. It is a mental discipline that results in low-risk software without much testing effort.
Phase 4 Thinking: A State of Mind
Now think – Which tester’s mental phase are you?
phase 0 thro 4 am I, all are pertinent dependent on the current work you are undertaking.