The Latest

Quality Interactions: Bulding Effective Working Relationships[presentation]

As software professionals, we all care about quality. We focus our efforts on building quality into the code and testing to assess quality and find errors before our customers do.

Esther Derby, Esther Derby Associates Inc
Get a New Agile Attitude - Quality First[presentation]

For decades quality assurance (QA) has been a back-end loaded process. Developers put the bugs in, and QA tests the bugs out.

Robert Martin, Object Mentor
Plans, Processes, and Practices for Successful Test Outsourcing[presentation]

There are many reasons why outsourcing IT activities requires extra attention, especially when it concerns software testing. Examples of complete failures are common, and "backsourcing" is not uncommon today.

Martin Pol, POLTEQ IT Services BV
Testing of Web-Based and Java Applications with Models[presentation]

With most GUI test tools that exist today, model-based testing for Java applications is extremely difficult to implement.

Jeff Feldstein, Cisco Systems Inc
A New Paradigm for Collecting and Interpreting Bug Metrics[presentation]

Many software test organizations count bugs; however, most do not derive much value from the practice, and other metrics can actually harm the quality of their software or their organization.

James Bach, Satisfice Inc
Ping-Pong Programming: Enhance Your TDD and Pair Programming Practices[article]

Team player Dave Hoover wants to share a software development practice he enjoys. It emerged from the practices of extreme programming as a competitive yet simultaneously collaborative practice. Dave has found that this practice promotes the flow of knowledge between software developers better than any other practice he has experienced. As you might have guessed from the title of this week's column, this practice is called ping-pong programming, or P3 for short.

Dave Hoover
Write Sweet-Smelling Comments[magazine]

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 to sniff out stinky code and write comments that count.

Mike Clark
Do You Want Fries With That Test?[magazine]

Connect with an expert to learn how to work smarter and learn new ways to uncover more defects. In this issue, Michael Bolton dishes out commentary on why testers who master skills instead of memorizing techniques are relished in the software industry.

Michael Bolton's picture Michael Bolton
The Hard Truth about Soft Skills[magazine]

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Esther Derby explains why interpersonal skills can do more than boost your popularity; they can help you excel in the workplace.

Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
Implement by Feature[magazine]

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, Johanna Rothman recounts the tale of a wayward project rescued by a cross-functional team.

Johanna Rothman's picture Johanna Rothman
How to Win Friends and Automate Testing[magazine]

People who need people. It's more than just a sappy Barbra Streisand song; it's a smart way to think. Discover some techniques to increase tester/developer communication and get them working side by side on your next project.

Michael Kelly's picture Michael Kelly
The Accountability of Visibility[magazine]

Brian Marick uses Jeremy Bentham's centuries-old punitive philosophy to explain why visibility and self-regulation can propel the success of a project. In today's software development environment, exposing bugs and its root causes for all to inspect can help teams avoid introducing the same and similar bugs into their code.

Brian Marick
Remaining Relevant[magazine]

Wondering how to maintain a competitive edge in this era of outsourcing and downsizing? Become an entrepreneur. Try managing your career as if it were a business, because in many ways it is. You will find your work more rewarding—and you'll increase your value to your employer.

Chad Fowler
High Performance Testing[magazine]

As an activity, performance testing is often misunderstood, especially by executives and managers. Try these tips on your next performance testing project and put your team on the fast track to success.

Scott Barber's picture Scott Barber
The Expert as Impediment[magazine]

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Brian Marick offers advice on why people are sometimes right to resist experts.

Brian Marick

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