Early fault detection with model-based testing

Current and future trends for software include increasingly complex requirements on interaction between systems. As a result, the difficulty of system testing increases. Model-based testing is a test technique where test cases are generated from a model of the system. In this study we explore model-based testing on the system level, starting from early development. We apply model-based testing to a subsystem of a message gateway product in order to improve early fault detection. The results are compared to another subsystem that is tested with hand-crafted test cases. Based on our experiences, we present a set of challenges and recommendations for system-level, model-based testing. Our results indicate that model-based testing, starting from early development, significantly increases the number of faults detected during system testing.