monty python’s flying test lab - stickyminds

T2 Concurrent Session Thursday 05/08/2008 9:45 AM

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab

Presented by:

Robert Sabourin AmiBug.com, Inc.

Presented at: STAREAST Software Testing Analysis & Review

May 5-9, 2008; Orlando, FL, USA

330 Corporate Way, Suite 300, Orange Park, FL 32043 888-268-8770 904-278-0524 [email protected] www.sqe.com

Robert Sabourin Robert Sabourin has more than twenty-five years of management experience, leading teams of software development professionals. A well respected member of the software engineering community, Robert has managed, trained, mentored, and coached hundreds of top professionals in the field. He frequently speaks at conferences and writes on software engineering, SQA, testing, management, and internationalization. The author of I am a Bug!, the popular software testing children’s book, Robert is an adjunct professor of Software Engineering at McGill University.

AmiBug.Com, Inc.© Robert Sabourin, 2006March 6, 2008 Slide 1

Monty Python’sFlying Test Lab

Robert SabourinPresident & Principal consultant

AmiBug.Com, Inc.Montreal, Canada

[email protected]


And now for something completely different . . . Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionized comedy and brought zany British humor to a world-wide audience. However, buried deep in the hilarity and camouflaged in its twisted wit, lie many important testing lessons—tips and techniques you can apply to real world problems to deal with turbulent projects, changing requirements, and stubborn project stakeholders. Rob Sabourin examines some of the most famous Python bits—“The Spanish Inquisition” telling us to expect the unexpected, “The Dead Parrot” asking if we should really deliver this product to the customer, “The Argument” teaching us about bug advocacy, “Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit” demonstrating the need to pick the right testing tool, and a host of other goofy gags, each one with a lesson for testers.

• How to test effectively with persistence • Make your point with effective communication • Keys ways to clarify project goals and requirements

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab!


• Overview– Learning and metaphors– Ambiguous requirements– Logic and reasoning– Dead software– I always wanted to be a tester– Throw code over the wall– Help desk arguments– Communications– Testing tools– Nobody expects the process

inquisition



Learning and Metaphors

• Teaching• Learning• Retaining• Applying knowledge• Share experiences• Don’t get carried away …


Ambiguous Requirements

• Is it really perfectly clear?

• Do not tick off the stakeholders

• Decision tables?• Real communications?


Witch Burning

• False logic

• Incongruent chain of reasoning

• A witch weighs the same as a duck!


Witch Burning

• Indirect measures

• Calibration

• The sound of wisdom.


Dead Parrot?

• When I bought this software you said it was taking time to get to know my computer.

• “Norwegian Blue Screen Saver”


Dead Parrot?• What do you

mean it’s sleeping?

• It’s crashed!• It has abended• It will run no more• It is deceased• This is a dead

program!!!


Lumberjack• I always wanted

to be a tester, Leaping from bug to bug …

• “He’s a tester and he’s OK –He Sleeps all night and he works all day”


Lumberjack• He crashes

code and eats his lunch and lives by the blue screen

• And when he hears of Vista he runs to the latrine!


The Taunting

• So what exactly are the developers throwing over the wall?

• A cow or a duck?• Can we really “run

away!”?


The Argument

• Helpdesk …• This isn’t an

argument, it is a series of contradictions?

• Yes it is!• No it isn’t.


Trading Languages

• Do you understand the customer?

• Do your customers understand you?


Defend against fruit

• Choose the right tool for the right job.

• Take heed – do not take claims at face value.


Spanish Inquisition

• Nobody expects the process inquisition!

• Our three weapons are Fear, Surprise and a Fanatical Devotion to Thick Binders


Holy Hand Grenade

• Follow instructions or just plain act on it.

• Do testers need to hide behind process?


SPAM

• SPAM is finally pervasive!


Thank You

Questions?

monty python’s flying test lab - stickyminds

Documents