This involves an independent review of the testing and defect management processes across the SDLC stages. The audit is conducted against the following cornerstones of a mature test process:

	Test early
	Test throughout the lifecycle

A typical audit exercise spans the following core processes:

	End-to-end test life cycle processes viz- planning, design and execution
	Defect tracking, reporting and defect management processes

The audit also covers support processes like change management, configuration & release management and problem / issue management, which need to seamlessly integrate with the core testing processes. Current processes are typically evaluated from the following perspectives:

	Level of independence
	Adequacy of checks and controls in the process
	Approach to ensure reliability of regression / impacted conditions testing - both functionally and technically impacted
	Facilitation of re-use and future automation

Recommendations to address gaps / lacunae could include 'What' needs to be done relating to:

	Testing organization structure, including ownership and control
	Processes, including templates
	Frameworks and Techniques relating to test design