The Latest

Implement by Feature [article]

Every manager has a story to tell. Find out how one management professional tackles a fictional dilemma. The story may be made up, but the solutions are tried and true. In this installment, Johanna Rothman recounts the tale of a wayward project rescued by a cross-functional team.

Do You Want Fries With That Test? [magazine]

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and learn new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton dishes out commentary on why testers who master skills instead of memorizing techniques are relished in the software industry.

Automation or Not, It's All About the Data [article]

While anyone who has automated her testing knows you can't create repeatable automated tests from unstable data, it did not dawn on this week's columnist--self-proclaimed automation lobbyist Linda Hayes--that this issue cripples manual testing as well. Read on to share her epiphany.

The Hard Truth about Soft Skills [magazine]

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Esther Derby explains why interpersonal skills can do more than boost your popularity; they can help you excel in the workplace.

Implement by Feature [magazine]

How to Win Friends and Automate Testing [magazine]

People who need people. It's more than just a sappy Barbra Streisand song; it's a smart way to think. Discover some techniques to increase tester/developer communication and get them working side by side on your next project.

The Accountability of Visibility [magazine]

Brian Marick uses Jeremy Bentham's centuries-old punitive philosophy to explain why visibility and self-regulation can propel the success of a project. In today's software development environment, exposing bugs and its root causes for all to inspect can help teams avoid introducing the same and similar bugs into their code.

Remaining Relevant [magazine]

Wondering how to maintain a competitive edge in this era of outsourcing and downsizing? Become an entrepreneur. Try managing your career as if it were a business, because in many ways it is. You will find your work more rewarding—and you'll increase your value to your employer.

High Performance Testing [magazine]

As an activity, performance testing is often misunderstood, especially by executives and managers. Try these tips on your next performance testing project and put your team on the fast track to success.

Hold That Decision [article]

In the rush to complete a project, teams often make hasty decisions, including decisions about which features will be included when the product is released. Rather than making quick decisions, a team should defer a critical decision. Especially if they might learn more throughout the project that will help them make a better decision. In this week's column, Mike Cohn explains the importance of taking advantage of the new knowledge project teams acquire and how this allows them to make better decisions by deferring them.