First, about scope... As I began my trash walking (see here and here), I quickly found that I needed guidelines on what counts as my work space and work product. I am collecting trash along the road, … [Read more...] about Test Coverage Parallels in Trash Walking
Process Dynamics
Test Talk About Trash Walks
So, for exercise, I'm picking up trash. Here is a picture of me all kitted up: So far, I've done 37 miles of trash collecting. And I can't help but see some interesting parallels with software … [Read more...] about Test Talk About Trash Walks
How Michael Bolton and I Collaborate on Articles
(Someone posted a question on Quora asking how Michael and I write articles together. This is the answer I gave, there.) It begins with time. We take our time. We rarely write on a deadline, except … [Read more...] about How Michael Bolton and I Collaborate on Articles
Benjamin Mitchell and the Trap of False Hypocrisy
One of the puzzles of intellectual life is how to criticize something you admire without sounding like you don't admire it. Benjamin Mitchell has given an insightful talk about social dynamics in … [Read more...] about Benjamin Mitchell and the Trap of False Hypocrisy
Programmer Pairing with a Tester
My sister, Erica, is not a programmer. Normally she's not a tester, either. But recently she paired with me, playing a tester role, and spotted bugs while I wrote in Perl. In the process, it became … [Read more...] about Programmer Pairing with a Tester
Exploratory Testing is not “Experienced-Based” Testing
Prabhat Nayak is yet another thinking tester recently hired by the rising Indian testing powerhouse, Moolya. Speaking of the ISTQB syllabus, he writes: One such disagreement of mine is they have put … [Read more...] about Exploratory Testing is not “Experienced-Based” Testing
A Nice Quote Against Confirmatory Testing
Most of the technology of "confirmatory" non-qualitative research in both the social and natural sciences is aimed at preventing discovery. When confirmatory research goes smoothly, everything comes … [Read more...] about A Nice Quote Against Confirmatory Testing
Immaturity of Maturity Models
Maturities models (TMMi, CMM, CMMi, etc.) are a dumb idea. They are evidence of immaturity in our craft. Insecure managers sometimes cling to them as they might a treasured baby blanket. In so doing, … [Read more...] about Immaturity of Maturity Models
This is What We Do
In the Context-Driven Testing community, the testing craft is a living, growing thing. This dialog, led by my partner in Rapid Testing, Michael Bolton, is a prime example of the life among us. Read … [Read more...] about This is What We Do
Reclaim Your Personal Method
(Since this pertains to both self-education AND technical work, I'm posting this on both of my blogs) Randy Ingermanson has an interesting approach to writing fiction. It's called the Snowflake … [Read more...] about Reclaim Your Personal Method