Better Software Magazine

Better Software Magazine Articles

Sustainable Change

We're pleased to bring you technical editors who are well respected in their fields. Get their take on everything that relates to the industry, technically speaking. In this issue, Brian Marick suggests three ways to combat recidivism on your projects.

Brian Marick
Metrics Motivation

Typical metrics are used to predict an outcome by comparing plans to actual results. They are objective and don't influence what you are trying to measure. Biased metrics, on the other hand, are a valuable tool for deliberately altering behavior to improve the performance of a group. Find out how biased metrics can be used on your projects to pinpoint problems in specific areas and to influence people to fix them.

Jan Scott
Model Driven Architecture: It's Not Your Father's UML

Software engineering has come a long way, but programmers still spend a lot of time on tasks that could be automated. Fortunately, there's model driven architecture with its new generation of modeling tools that go way beyond the average UML. Learn how MDA addresses the challenges of today's highly networked, constantly changing systems environment and provides an architecture that assures portability, platform independence, productivity, and much more.

Timothy Korson
Brushing Up on Functional Test Effectiveness

What does dental floss have to do with automated functional testing? More than you might think. Learn from one Agile practitioner how you can apply the tenets of good oral hygiene to your functional tests for requirements artifacts so effective they'll make you smile.

Jennitta Andrea's picture Jennitta Andrea
More Than One Answer; More Than One Question

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and discover new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton continues his discussion of James Bach's Heuristic Test Strategy Model by focusing on the importance of customer-facing quality criteria.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Staying Out of Code Debt

All code is not created equal. Learn from a master of the craft how to spot bad code and mold it into good. Mike wraps up his year-long column with tips for heading off code bankruptcy and leaves us with some final words of wisdom to help us continue to improve our coding craft.

Mike Clark
Relocate for Reuse

All code is not created equal. Learn from a master of the craft how to spot bad code and mold it into good. This month, Mike Clark explains how moving code from one class to another to make it reusable can save you time in the long run.

Mike Clark
No More Middleman

Every manager has a story to tell. Find out how one management professional tackles a fictional dilemma. The story may be made up, but the solutions are tried and true. In this installment, Esther Derby tells you how to stop playing "Manager in the Middle" and get your team members talking.

Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
Elemental Models

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and discover new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton continues his discussion of James Bach's Heuristic Test Strategy Model by introducing the Product Elements perspective on test coverage.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
Test Is a Four-Letter Word

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Gregory Pope offers alternatives to the dreaded "T" word.

Gregory pope12's picture Gregory pope12

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