This question came up in the recently Rapid Software Testing Explored online class. Donatas asks: "Let's say you discover a problem in the application or the development process itself. However, it … [Read more...] about Persuasion for Testers
Testing Culture
34 Years in Testing
This past Friday, May 21st, 2021, was exactly 34 years since my first day at Apple Computer as a tester. Before that I was a dev, but I have been a tester ever since. This has put me in a … [Read more...] about 34 Years in Testing
The Best Testing Book I Know is Not Written in English
Every once in a while, Michael Bolton tells me "we gotta write our Rapid Software Testing book!" Today, I got that book in the mail, except it's in Chinese and we didn't write it. The book was … [Read more...] about The Best Testing Book I Know is Not Written in English
Covid-19 Reminds Us Why Testing Matters
Alas! regardless of their doom, The little victims play; No sense have they of ills to come, Nor care beyond to-day. That is part of a poem by Thomas Gray, and I'm thinking about it now as I sit in … [Read more...] about Covid-19 Reminds Us Why Testing Matters
Assess Quality, Don’t Measure It
How to measure quality is a popular question. The answer I want to give is easy to say, but not so popular: “Stop! Quality can’t be measured, but it can be discussed and assessed. Focus on that … [Read more...] about Assess Quality, Don’t Measure It
Let’s Encourage Live Thinking
In one of my classes, I start things off by challenging the students to "make a diagram of testing." Some people make complicated pictures, some make simple ones. Some are literal, some are … [Read more...] about Let’s Encourage Live Thinking
Why I Am a Tester
Alex Bunardzic asked me a question in a comment that inspires me to do a new post: "To me (and I’m sure you’ll find ways to convince me how wrong I am), if someone is intent on improving the … [Read more...] about Why I Am a Tester
What Could Kill Testing?
(I wrote this several years ago with Michael Bolton, but never got around to publishing it... UPDATE: Oh! I did publish this as an editorial in Tea Time for Testers. Well, anyway this is an … [Read more...] about What Could Kill Testing?
Jerry Weinberg’s Last Worry
Jerry Weinberg has died. Jerry was my teacher more than any other single person. As I have told my students and clients for years: my work is an elaboration and improvisation on his work. In November … [Read more...] about Jerry Weinberg’s Last Worry
Facebook and the AI Apocalypse
I hate Facebook. Hate is a strong word. It is too strong for Facebook, for instance. I had a Facebook account for about 30-minutes before I was banned, apparently by an algorithm. After locking down … [Read more...] about Facebook and the AI Apocalypse