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Testing To Go: Page 6 of 9

• The lab should provide frequent project status reports so you won't be surprised by anything at a late date. Ask that the report format and timing meet your internal publication needs.

• Everything the testing lab does for you is owned by you, the customer. This includes documented scripts that are created to run the test. This way, regardless of what happens to the third-party tester, your organization will be able to ensure continuity.

• The contract should include specifics of what is to be delivered and how it is to be turned over. Success in terms of deliverables and a time line should also be defined contractually.

Full Disclosure

Every test should answer four questions: What was tested? What wasn't tested? What succeeded? What failed? But in the case of outsourcing, there's a fifth vital question: Who else does the testing house work for? Getting a straight answer is important as much for reasons of perception as for possible conflicts of interest.