Managing test departments containing legacy test systems

This paper is a discussion of a systematic approach to managing the reliability and productivity of a test department containing multiple legacy test systems. Using this approach, a test manager can improve the reliability of their test department in a cost effective manner. We discuss issues such as: selecting and prioritizing candidates for system upgrade, the core engineering competencies required for successful upgrades, the qualities and characteristics that should be designed into replacement systems and technologies which increase the productivity of system replacement. We also discuss specific tools developed by ARC which are utilized in our system upgrade efforts that help minimize the development time and costs associated with building a new test station.