The Latest

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.

The Test Case as a Scientific Experiment [article]

David Coutts explores the similarities between software testing and the scientific method, and concludes by proposing a new definition for the software testing method. David was inspired to write this article after reading Messrs, Kaner, Pettichord, and Bach, who have each hinted at the usefulness of the scientific method to software testing. A subject David felt was worth exploring in more detail.

The Expert as Impediment [magazine]

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Brian Marick offers advice on why people are sometimes right to resist experts.

A Look at Visual Studio 2005 [magazine]

Need to get the scoop on the latest software tests and trends? You've come to the right place. Get one reviewer’s opinion of Microsoft’s Visual Studio 2005.

Watir Works [magazine]

Test automation of Web applications can be done more effectively by accessing the plumbing within the user interface. Kohl and Rogers offer a nuts and bolts look at Watir, a tool many are using to check the pipes.

It Takes Two to Tango [magazine]

Pair programming is an Agile practice that has been shown to greatly improve code quality without a huge increase in development time. This article explains the ins and outs of pair programming and some things you need to consider before you tell team members to grab a partner and get programming.

Injecting Testability into Your Test Designs [magazine]

The term dependency injection has attained buzzword status within the programming community. Follow Agile developer J.B. Rainsberger as he goes beyond the buzz and breaks down a specific example of how injecting a dependency can improve the testability of your design.

Changing How You Manage Change [magazine]

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 the first installment of this series of columns, Naomi Karten offers tips on how to handle change in the workplace.