The Latest
Testing Your Worth[article] There's no doubt that the current job market is tight and a little shaky for test professionals. In a climate where entire test groups are being laid off or trimmed to the bone, Johanna Rothman notices a trend in test management priorities that you might want to consider. Follow the story of how one test manager determined tester ROI and how testers might approach increasing their value. |
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A Comparison of IBM's Orthogonal Defect Classification to Hewlett Packard's Defect Origins, Types, and Modes[article] In the last three years, the author has worked with seven Software Development teams to help them categorize defects using Hewlett Packard's Defect Origins, Types, and Modes. More recently, the author has assisted a software testing and development organization analyze the results of defects categorized using IBM's Orthogonal Defect Classification (ODC). |
John Huber
September 28, 2001 |
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License to Hack[article] Is your organization doing Extreme Programming or one of the other agile methods? Are they considering it? Before you jump on the latest methodology bandwagon, you should make sure you're not just giving your developers a license to hack. Karl Wiegers provides some insight into how agile development models can be misused and how you can ensure that your process improvement effort has the best chance to be effective. |
Karl E. Wiegers
September 19, 2001 |
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The Problem Isn't Always THE Problem[article] When things go awry, sometimes the first problem you see is not The Problem but just a product of its symptoms. But if problems can hide behind other problems, how can you learn to spot the true culprit at the source of your dilemma? Elisabeth Hendrickson shares some lessons she's learned about "The Problem." |
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Exploratory Planning[article] StickyMinds columnist James Bach has used this space to describe and discuss Exploratory Testing, a style of testing that emphasizes product exploration and fluid test design and execution. In this week's column, test consultant Lee Copeland adds his own twist to the exploratory premise. |
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7 Keys to Building Great Work Teams[article] Successful projects depend on how well the team works together. Elements that lead to success include commitment, contribution, good communication, and cooperation. Cooperation itself includes factors such as follow-through, timeliness, and others. Conflict management and change management are also important. This article analyzes and explains all of these elements that constitute a productive and successful team. |
Suzanne Willis Zoglio
August 20, 2001 |
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Will Tighter Deadlines Improve Software Quality?[article] It may sound counterintuitive at first, but making tighter deadlines may improve software quality. When deadlines are strictly adhered to, the panic and rush as the deadline approaches can undermine quality of product. Heller discusses how a looser, but earlier deadline can encourage a healthier environment, and higher quality. |
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Agile Development[magazine] Technical Editor Brian Marick explains the values behind the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Above all, Agile practitioners value: individuals and interactions; working software; customer collaboration; and responding to change. |
Brian Marick
June 26, 2001 |
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Across the Great Divide[article] Many bemoan the strained relationship between testers and developers. But while we can't force testers and developers to see eye to eye on everything, we can reduce some of the tension by making simple changes in the way we communicate. Learn some great tips and tricks in this article. |
Susan Joslyn
June 18, 2001 |
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Managing Virtual Teams[article] We are in the middle of a tremendous reassessment of the world of work as we go forth boldly into the 21st century brought about through the creative use of the Internet. Compare the way we've always done things - would it make a difference in your productivity? |
Linda McInnis
May 30, 2001 |
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Internet Accessibility[article] Ever try to navigate the Web with your eyes closed? Without a mouse? Fifty million Americans are differently-abled, and nearly half of these people encounter difficulties accessing the World Wide Web. The U.S. government recently took steps to tackle the accessibility issue. Here's some coverage of the issue. |
Brian Globerman
May 15, 2001 |
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Conducting a Temperature Reading[article] Negative mindsets and instances are so easy to fall into, and it can be difficult to see the positive in things. By using the "temperature reading" technique, a completely attitude and outlook turnaround time can be achieved in very little time. Learn this easy method for improving your mindset. |
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Softening Iterations - Setting up for success[article] You have an approved project that is about to begin - the project team is in place, the product owner has been identified - the stakeholders are eagerly waiting to see results of this agile approach that they have all heard good things about ... Here's your dilemma ... the stakeholders are expecting to see tangible progress at the end of the first iteration in two or three weeks - having been through presentations of Agile processes. But you know that it's really not feasible to deliver anything remotely useful in that short a period. Agile processes warrant early delivery of business value, stressing on working code. Release planning and iteration planning are all based around user stories completed to the extent of being ready to deploy. But the reality is often different. |
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e-Talk Radio: Beck, Kent, 5 December 2000[article] Ms. Dekkers and Mr. Beck talk about some of the elements of eXtreme Programming, including test first programming, programming in pairs, and stories. |
Carol Dekkers
May 10, 2001 |
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What Could Possibly Go Wrong?[article] A software project is a complex thing. It involves many players, many tasks, and lots of things that could go wrong (and often do). If not for dogged optimism, some projects might not be tackled at all. But optimism doesn't mean turning a blind eye to potential pitfalls. In this column, Esther Derby applies a lesson about asking, "What if..." |