Test patterns, quality patterns, Q-patterns or whatever we wish to call it. I am referring to test ideas that can be reused in similar contexts. This could for instance be File Handling, Data Types, Installation, Upgrades etc. There is nearly an infinite list of areas that could test patterns could be available for.

When you start a new project with test areas that you are not all familiar with… you wish to have some test ideas or test patterns that you might be able to apply easily. Experienced testers usually have this documented or in their heads. The test patterns created for one company is usually proprietary, so you are not allowed to bring it with you.

So when you start from scratch at a company there is a lot to wish for. You try to use what you have and need to adopt to possibly new systems. Eventually you will notice that you have almost started from scratch. You start redoing the same things that you have done before at previous companies.

I have asked some of the major test consultancy companies about how they do with test patterns and test data. So far all of them has looked at my strangely and said that it is not possible to reuse the test cases they produce. Also, that these test cases are property of the customer.

Imagine that consultant companies with a few thousand testers start assisting each other with test data, test patterns and experiences. Generally, it seems like they are not doing this at the moment. The smaller companies would have a hard time to compete if this was the case.

If there was a public website where these kinds of data could be stored it would make things easier for all testers. Perhaps it is a dystopia, but I see no reason why we need to rethink our test ideas each time we get to a new company. I can understand that these test patterns in themselves hold great value to the company and that they would like it to be theirs alone. Still, I think it should be possible to have the general areas more public.

If anyone have thought of this before and know of a place where to find these so called public test patterns and test data please assist me in pointing me in the right direction. If not, is this something we should take the initiative in starting?