Several important test-related issues have emerged from the previous discussion. We have learned that
1. there is a demand for software of high quality with low defects;
2. process is important in the software engineering discipline;
3. software testing is an important software development sub process;
4. existing software evaluation and improvement models have not ad-equately addressed testing issues.
An introduction to the Testing Maturity Model is now presented to the reader as a framework for discussion of these issues, and as a means for addressing them. The model is discussed in more detail in later chapters of this text. The focus of the TMM is on testing as a process in itself that an be evaluated and improved. In the testing domain possible benefits of test process improvement are the following: