Most product defects are created during requirements definition. To significantly reduce and prevent requirements problems, consider making their management your software testers' responsibility. They can identify requirements defects as they are being developed, as well as work out mitigations for their root causes.

People using behavior-driven development (BDD) say conversation is the most important part of the process. They use a “given-when-then” format to describe the current state, an action that is supposed to occur, and what results to expect. But if that structure isn't working for your team, don't restrain discussion.

Many QA managers seek a formula for creating an effective testing team. While they may pursue endless tools and lifecycle approaches, the answer is actually simpler. These three fundamentals will ensure you’re leading your test engineers in the right direction and building a world-class testing organization.