Software testing has undergone an evolutionary process. The early stages of software testing were primitive and did not fully meet intended goals: better quality products through broader and deeper testing coverage, taking less time to test, and reducing quality-related costs.

The current state-of-the-practice, which we refer to as "Software Testing 3.0", is now emerging. Software Testing 3.0 offers the culture, methodologies, beliefs, and techniques that will enable software testing to truly deliver the full potential of quality engineering, test automation and global resources.

This paper will trace the evolution of software testing through its first two phases, discussing the shortcomings or "disconnects." It will then present Software Testing 3.0, and conclude with a discussion of why senior executives should care - in essence, why it matters to them that software testing is finally evolving to a point where it can meet and exceed management expectations.