Selecting a Lab Model

Many factors contribute to your decision about the type of lab you choose: ad hoc or change management. The following factors can influence your decision:

• Budget
• Time and staff available for building the lab
• Existing labs
• Physical space or environmental limitations
• Corporate culture
• Project or corporate goals

The first step in making this decision is to assess your long-term testing and risk management goals. Then, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each model in relation to your goals.

You might determine that one model fits your goals best, but circumstances seem to dictate another approach. For example, you might see advantages to having a long-term lab that you can use for testing software patches and upgrades, but your organization does not seem to have the budget to build and maintain a permanent lab. Although you need to weigh the possible outcomes of the opposing solutions, you might come up with creative ways to support your ideal solution. Ask yourself questions such as the following:

• How will the decision impact test quality?
• How will the decision impact team training and design support?
• Will the lab also benefit other existing projects?
• Can other projects combine efforts and budgets to share a lab?
• Can you build the lab in stages, starting with the most essential components and then adding to it as the budget allows?
• Will hardware vendors agree to a special arrangement?

  For example, can the vendors provide equipment on loan before it is purchased, or will they give you the equipment in return for using your organization's name for marketing purposes?

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