agile testers: becoming a key asset for your team

Becoming a key asset for your team: the role of agile testers

Gojko Adzichttp://gojko.net

@gojkoadzic

Problems

Developers invading into testing → loss of control

Lack of documentation, so people don't know what to test → no effect

Very little influence → no respect People feel pushed out → no job satisfaction No clear definition of work → confusion, fear

Problems Symptoms

Developers invading into testing → loss of control

Lack of documentation, so people don't know what to test → no effect

Very little influence → no respect People feel pushed out → no job satisfaction No clear definition of work → confusion, fear

Problems

Testing is decoupled from development, happens at the end

Lack of communication between business, developers and testers

Animosity between developers and testers

B2 bomber crashed and $2bn went up in flames

"the aircraft actually performed as it was designed. In other words, all the systems were

functioning normally."

Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenterhttp://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jun05/0,4670,B2Crash,00.html

GET INVOLVED!

Collaborative specifications

Your job is to provide a testing perspective

Advise what is to be tested rather than test it yourself

Teach them about important issues Learn about the domain and what

developers plan to do

Heavy automation

• Collaborate with developers on automation

• Learn about what they are actually doing

• Share ideas

• Get a lot more time for exploratory testing

Finally stop those guys from making the same mistakes

over and over

Avoid doing the same stuff all the time

Get a lot more time for exploratory testing

Build quality in from the start

Verify business rules by a click on a button

Get more visibility and respect

• www.gojko.net

• www.acceptancetesting.info

• www.agiletesting.org.uk