Which factor does NOT influence the testing effort required?

The choice regarding the size of the deployment team is correct because it does not directly impact the testing effort required. Testing effort is primarily influenced by factors related to the test basis, such as its quality, which determines how much clarity and completeness is available to derive test cases effectively.

Configuration management practices play a crucial role in how testing is structured, organized, and executed. Good practices can streamline the process, thus affecting the required effort positively or negatively. The availability of test tools is another significant factor, as these tools can automate processes or facilitate testing activities, thereby impacting the amount of effort needed to conduct the tests.

In contrast, the size of the deployment team does not inherently affect how much testing is required or the complexity involved in the testing process itself. While a larger team may help in executing tests more efficiently, they do not influence the foundational aspects of what needs to be tested, the quality of that test basis, or the effective management of testing configurations and tools. Consequently, it is not a factor that influences the effort required for testing.