A Comprehensive Assessment Model for Requirement-based Test Case Prioritization: Integrating Internal Factors and Dependency Analysis through Expert Evaluation

Abstract

Test case prioritization (TCP) is a critical component of regression testing in agile software development. Requirement-based TCP leverages information from software requirements to improve testing effectiveness, but gathering and assessing relevant requirement factors remains a challenge. This paper proposes a comprehensive assessment model for requirement-based TCP that incorporates both internal factors (complexity, change impact, and prioritization) and requirement dependencies. The model employs pairwise comparison (PC) and expert evaluation techniques to assign weights to the factors. The assessment process is validated using the iTrust medical record system as a case study, with four experts from diverse software engineering backgrounds participating in the evaluation. The resulting weighted factors provide a quantitative basis for designing more effective TCP strategies. The proposed model contributes to the advancement of requirement-based testing and offers practical insights for software practitioners seeking to optimize their TCP processes.