STARWEST 2011 - Software Testing Conference

PRESENTATIONS

STARWEST 2011: Quantifying the Value of Static Analysis

During the past ten years, static analysis tools have become a vital part of software development for many organizations. However, the question arises, "Can we quantify the benefits of static analysis?" William Oliver presents the results of a study performed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to do just that.

William Oliver, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

STARWEST 2011: Session-based Exploratory Testing on Agile Projects

One of the challenges associated with testing in agile projects is selecting test techniques that “fit” the dynamic nature of agile practices. How much functional and non-functional testing should you do? What is the appropriate mix of unit, integration, regression, and system testing? And how do you balance these decisions in an environment that fosters continuous change and shifting priorities?

Bob Galen, iContact Corp

STARWEST 2011: Seven Key Factors for Agile Testing Success

What do testers need to do differently to be successful on an agile project? How can agile development teams employ testers’ skills and experience for maximum value to the project? Janet Gregory describes the seven key factors she has identified for testers to succeed on agile teams. She explains the whole-team approach of agile development that enables testers to do their job more effectively. Then, Janet explores the “agile testing mindset” that contributes to a tester’s success.

Janet Gregory, DragonFire, Inc.

STARWEST 2011: Test Process Improvement on a Shoestring

In most organizations cost reduction is still the number one motivation for test process improvement. Although several formal improvement models are popular, they require formal assessments, process change working groups, extensive implementation programs, and new organizational structures. Instead, you can quickly implement measures that improve your testing process incrementally within your day-to-day activities.

Martin Pol, Polteq Test Services B.V.

Structural Testing: When Quality Matters

Jamie Mitchell explores an underused and often forgotten test type-white-box testing. Also known as structural testing, white-box techniques require some programming expertise and access to the code. Using only black-box testing, you could easily ship a system having tested only 50 percent or less of the code base. Are you comfortable with that? For mission-critical systems, such low test code coverage is clearly insufficient.

Jamie Mitchell, Jamie Mitchell Consulting

Teach Your Acceptance Tests to Speak "Business"

Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) uses specification by example to define expressive automated tests that facilitate project communication and drive product design. Acceptance testing tools like Cucumber, FitNesse, and Concordion are powerful tools for building a common, ubiquitous language connecting business people, developers, and testers. A common language leads to common understanding and ultimately to better software that meets business needs and delights customers.

Richard Lawrence, Humanizing Work

Test Automation Magic: Pushing the Frontiers

The evolutionary cycle of test automation appears to have hit a plateau. Krishna Iyer and Mukesh Mulchandani believe it is time to push the frontiers again for another cycle of improvements. Together, they describe how you can improve your test automation, with results that others will see as sheer magic.

Krishna Iyer, ZenTEST Labs

Test Estimation and the Art of Negotiation

Many of us have struggled with test estimation. We have tried simple, heuristic models to craft a best guess-often without much success. We have also tried using a variety of complex, scientific models to calculate an accurate number. The problem is, we are usually fooled by the models-both simple and complex ones-and either overestimate testing needs or are lulled into impossible commitments. Lynn McKee and Nancy Kelln explore the realities of test estimation and propose a new mindset for handling estimation requests.

Nancy Kelln, Unimagined Testing

Test Process Improvement with TMMi®

The Test Maturity Model integration® (TMMi®) model, developed to complement the CMMI® framework, is rapidly becoming the test process improvement model of choice in Europe, Asia, and the US. Erik van Veenendaal, one of the developers of TMMi, describes the model’s five maturity levels-Initial, Managed, Defined, Management and Measurement, and Optimization-and the key testing practices required at each level.

Erik van Veenendaal, Improve Quality Services BV

Testing in Production: Which Version Wins?

Would your marketing department like to know which website feature will excite online customers to buy more products, return to your site again and again, and increase revenue and profits? Harish Narayan describes how his team uses risk-based testing and statistical test design to optimally check features deployed with multiple website options.

Harish Narayan, Vistaprint

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