The Latest

Seven Strategies for Handling Distributed Agile [article]

Global markets, global talent, and a constant pressure to reduce costs through outsourcing are all major forces that contribute to distributed teams, but distribution can inhibit communication within the team. Here are seven strategies for staying agile in the face of distributed-team challenges.

Information Technology Predictions for 2013 [article]

While 2013 may appear calmer compared to 2012 due in part to fewer “big” events scheduled this year, the information technology (IT) industry and profession advances forward. The IT industry, interestingly enough, shapes events in addition to being shaped by events around the world.

Simplicity and Precision: Test Planning in Agile Projects [magazine]

Test planning is often thought unnecessary in an agile project. However, if our mindset is on "planning" rather than "plans," we see that test-planning activities happen throughout the project, taking advantage of levels of precision, i.e., what is absolutely necessary at each level.

Management Myth 13: I Must Never Admit My Mistakes [article]

Managers are people, too. They have bad-manager days. And, even on good-manager days, they can show doubt, weakness, and uncertainty. They can be vulnerable. Managers are not omnipotent. That’s why it’s critical for a manager to admit a mistake immediately.

Tackling Challenges with Agile Teamwork: An Interview with Janet Gregory [interview]

Janet Gregory shared with us some of the wisdom she's gained through her decade of experience with building strong agile teams. After defining "agile testing" we discussed how to ensure it succeeds. Janet is giving two sessions at the 2013 STARCANADA conference in Toronto on April 9th and 10th.

Agile Development and Software Metrics [article]

Dan Horvath explores useful metrics that utilize function point analysis (FPA) that you can apply to agile projects. Dan shows how to measure productivity and quality as well as how to estimate for agile projects.

I’ve Got a Feeling: Emotions in Testing [magazine]

There are people who believe that emotions have no place in software testing when, in fact, the opposite is true. Decisions about quality are always emotional. If you want to be a better tester, get in touch with your feelings.

Did You Know That Your Product Portfolio Is in Trouble? [article]

Based on his own work experiences, Anupam Kundu has found some patterns (or anti-patterns) that explain why product managers and product teams have a hard time managing their portfolios.

Breaking the Testing Norms: An Interview with Fiona Charles [interview]

Video

We had the chance to sit down with Fiona Charles ahead of her session titled "Using Mindmaps to Develop a Test Strategy" that she'll be giving on April 11th at STARCANADA. Fiona shares with us some of the ways that Mindmaps are able to break up the monotony and help create an organized strategy.

The Four Horsemen of the Testing Apocalypse [magazine]

Much like the biblical horsemen of Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death, the "Four Horsemen of the Testing Apocalypse" ride into our lives and work bearing great challenges. If the software of tomorrow is to be better than the software of today, we must face these foes directly.