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ATEF

The Automotive Testing Efficiency Framework

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What is ATEF?

ATEF – the Automotive Testing Efficiency Framework – is a structured model to assess and improve testing efficiency.

Not by introducing yet another test method.
But by analyzing the capabilities that truly impact outcomes: automation, traceability, reuse, maintainability, and CI/CD readiness.

It´s not a test tool, method, or process model, but a neutral, tool-independent way to evaluate how well your current testing setup performs – and where the biggest potential lies for improvement.

Why we created Atef

Testing in the automotive domain is both complicated and complex. Over the years, we’ve seen teams struggle – not because they lack tools or methods, but because it’s often unclear what truly improves efficiency. We’ve analyzed recurring patterns across real-world series projects to find out what really moves the needle.

The result is ATEF: a structured model that identifies key drivers of testing efficiency – and helps teams focus on what actually delivers value.

Who is ATEF for?

ATEF is designed for professionals who shape, manage, or improve testing workflows in automotive projects – especially where complexity, tool diversity, and compliance matter. It supports roles such as:

Verification & Validation Leads

Seeking clarity across fragmented test activities and tools.

Engineering IT & Toolchain Architects

Aiming to close efficiency gaps between ALM systems, test tools, and CI/CD pipelines.

ALM/PLM Coordinators

Aligning requirements, test cases, and test results across the development lifecycle.

Software & System Development Managers

Responsible for testability, maintainability, and automation-readiness in development teams.

EE Department Heads

Looking for greater visibility into test quality, effort, and resource usage across domains.

Use Case 1
Structured Testing Efficiency Assessment

Problem
Testing efforts are increasing, but measurable impact often remains unclear. Many organizations lack a structured method to assess testing efficiency, leading to missed improvement opportunities and inconsistent quality outcomes.

Symptoms
• High effort, low test confidence
• Fragmented improvement initiatives
• No shared metrics for test process performance
• Unclear priorities for optimization

Solution with ATEF
ATEF enables a structured capability-based efficiency assessment across all relevant testing processes.

By defining maturity levels for each key capability, it helps:

• Objectively identify strengths and inefficiencies
• Align teams on improvement goals
• Create a baseline for continuous progress

Result
• Clarity on where efficiency is gained or lost
• A fact-based improvement roadmap
• Better alignment between testing, development, and management
• Stronger confidence in test quality and output

Use Case 2
Strategic Tool Evaluation Based on Testing Capabilities

Problem
Tool decisions are often based on features, demos, or stakeholder preferences – not on measurable efficiency impact. This leads to underutilized tools, increased complexity, and missed potential.

Symptoms
• Inconsistent tool effectiveness across teams
• High tool costs with limited impact
• Resistance from teams due to unclear benefits
• Procurement decisions based on vendor promises

Solution with ATEF
ATEF introduces a capability-based evaluation framework that connects tool functionality to actual testing needs.

Each tool is assessed by its contribution to specific capabilities and maturity growth.

Result
• Tool investments aligned with strategic efficiency goals
• Increased tool adoption and effectiveness
• Reduced risk of tool mismatches and costly rework
• Transparent justification for procurement and stakeholders

Use Case 3
Clear Justification for Testing Investments

Problem
Testing teams often struggle to justify investments in tools, automation, or process changes. Without measurable impact, these proposals face skepticism from management or are deprioritized by procurement.

Symptoms
• Delayed or blocked investment decisions
• Cost discussions dominate quality needs
• No visibility on expected return from test initiatives
• Frustration between technical teams and decision-makers

Solution with ATEF
ATEF maps testing initiatives to measurable capabilities and maturity levels – creating a transparent link between cost and value.

This provides a solid, fact-based argument for why a specific investment is necessary.

Result
• Faster, more confident decision-making
• Aligned understanding of investment benefits across roles
• Clear ROI perspective for testing-related spending
• Strategic budget allocation based on leverage

Use Case 4
Eliminate Tool Fragmentation Between ALM and Testing

Problem
Testing processes are often fragmented across disconnected tools – from requirements to test design, execution, and reporting. This creates inefficiencies, broken traceability, and bottlenecks in automation and CI/CD pipelines.

Symptoms
• Manual transfer of data between tools
• Traceability links break during changes
• Test results not integrated into ALM or version control
• CI/CD processes stop before meaningful validation

Solution with ATEF
ATEF identifies media breaks and integration gaps by evaluating capabilities like traceability, interoperability, and automation readiness.

It highlights how toolchains can be aligned to enable seamless workflows.

Result
• Reduced manual effort and handovers
• More robust and maintainable traceability
• CI/CD compatibility through integrated testing
• Better collaboration across development, test, and IT

Use Case 5
Scalable Testing Practices Across Projects and Teams

Problem
Test excellence often exists in isolated teams – without a consistent framework, it’s hard to scale best practices across multiple projects or business units. This limits organizational learning and creates inefficiencies.

Symptoms
• Different teams follow different test strategies and tools
• Best practices are not reused across projects
• No shared maturity baseline
• Difficult to benchmark or drive improvements on org level

Solution with ATEF
ATEF introduces a standardized capability maturity model that enables comparison across teams, projects, and sites.

It provides a roadmap for coordinated testing maturity and scalable quality improvement.

Result
• Consistent testing processes across the organization
• Better knowledge transfer and onboarding
• Strategic visibility for quality and engineering leadership
• Focused scaling of what truly works

How Does ATEF Work?

ATEF doesn’t tell you how to test.
It shows you how well your current test setup actually works.

Processes

The actual testing activities – from requirements analysis to execution and reporting – observed in their real-world form.

Capabilities

Efficiency drivers such as traceability, automation, integration, reuse, and maintainability.

Maturity Levels

Each capability is rated on a 5-level scale. This enables benchmarking, structured improvement planning, and more objective evaluation of tools and workflows.

What are the Benefits?

ATEF enables smarter decisions in testing – based on structure and insight, not assumptions.

Transparency
See where testing effort is
spent vs. where it creates value.

CI/CD Alignment
Spot missing links and friction in
your delivery pipelines.

Clarity
Understand which capabilities drive
efficiency – and which block it.

Reusability & Maintainability
Reveal hidden waste in your
test assets and automation.

Neutral Evaluation
Compare tools and workflows based
on their real impact.

Better Conversations
Shift discussions from opinions
to evidence-based improvement.

Why Testing Efficiency Matters

Testing efficiency is not just about reducing effort. It directly determines how fast, stable, and confidently software can evolve. ATEF helps connect these dots – and focus improvement where it matters most.

Efficient Testing
... detects defects earlier and more reliably.

Smart Automation
... boosts test coverage and reduces redundant work.

Higher Maintainability
... reduces overhead across releases

Fewer Late Surprises
... lead to smoother integration and less firefighting

Stronger Traceability
... improves auditability and compliance

Assess your Testing Processes

Curious how ATEF would apply to your setup? Get in touch and receive the ATEF Starter Package with more and detailed information.

We are currently looking for early adopters and partners to validate and shape the next phase.

Get Started with ATEF

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