Apply the Holistic Testing Model evolved with PACT (Proactive, Autonomous, Collaborative, Targeted) principles. Use when designing comprehensive test strategies for Classical, AI-assisted, Agent based, or Agentic Systems building quality into the team, or implementing whole-team quality practices.
<default_to_action> When designing test strategies or building quality into teams:
Quick PACT Application:
Critical Success Factors:
| Principle | Focus | Anti-Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Proactive | Test before code, design testability | Waiting for bugs to find you |
| Autonomous | Teams deploy when ready | QA as manual gatekeepers |
| Collaborative | Whole-team quality thinking | QA works in isolation |
| Targeted | Risk-based, high-value tests | Exhaustive checkbox testing |
| Quadrant | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tech + Support | Fast feedback | Unit, component, integration tests |
| Tech + Critique | Find limits | Performance, security, chaos |
| Business + Support | Shared understanding | BDD, acceptance tests |
| Business + Critique | Discover unknowns | Exploratory, usability, A/B |
| PACT Dimension | Agents |
|---|---|
| Proactive + Tech | qe-test-generator, qe-requirements-validator |
| Autonomous + Tech | qe-test-executor, qe-coverage-analyzer |
| Collaborative | qe-fleet-commander (orchestration) |
| Targeted | qe-regression-risk-analyzer, qe-quality-gate |
// During API design, ask: "How will we know if this times out under load?"
// Build observability from start
await Task("Risk Analysis", {
phase: 'refinement',
question: 'What could go wrong and how will we know?'
}, "qe-requirements-validator");
// E-commerce checkout? Test thoroughly.
// Admin panel used twice a month? Lighter touch.
await Task("Risk-Based Planning", {
critical: ['checkout', 'payment'],
light: ['admin-panel', 'settings']
}, "qe-regression-risk-analyzer");
| Old Way (Sequential) | Holistic + PACT (Concurrent) |
|---|---|
| Dev writes → QA tests → bugs found → fixes | Team discusses what to build and how to test |
| Slow feedback, finger-pointing | Fast feedback, shared ownership |
| Quality as gatekeeping | Quality as enabler |
| QA on critical path | QA builds infrastructure, coaches |
aqe/holistic-testing/
├── pact-assessment/* - PACT maturity analysis
├── quadrant-coverage/* - Coverage per quadrant
├── team-metrics/* - Quality ownership metrics
└── feedback-loops/* - Cycle time data
const holisticFleet = await FleetManager.coordinate({
strategy: 'holistic-testing',
pact: { proactive: true, autonomous: true, collaborative: true, targeted: true },
agents: [
'qe-fleet-commander', // Orchestration
'qe-test-generator', // Tech quadrant
'qe-requirements-validator', // Business quadrant
'qe-quality-analyzer' // Metrics
],
topology: 'mesh'
});
PACT = Proactive + Autonomous + Collaborative + Targeted
Quality is built in, not tested in. Teams own quality. QA enables, doesn't gate. Test what matters, skip what doesn't. Measure outcomes, not activities.
With Agents: Agents analyze PACT maturity, recommend quadrant coverage, and coordinate whole-team quality. Use agents to scale holistic thinking while maintaining human judgment.