Software Test Design: Do's & Dont's

Hi All,
As a senior tester and QA Analyst, I have always wanted to have a place to discuss on this very challenging but extremely exciting topic.
Well, what better place than this!
To start, here are my two cents:

1. As an experienced tester and QA Analyst, I think that an efficient software test design should begin with the basic understanding of process and the methodology or life-cycle being planned for the software in question.

2. Software tools are part of the solution, and Not the solution themselves.

I request all testing minds out there to contribute.

Thanks,
RJ.