Improving your testing

• Presenter: Anko Tijman
• Type: Interactive workshop
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Audience: agile team members, testers

Abstract

Testing in agile projects is merely based on taking on a role by one of the team members. As applications become more complex and agile becomes more mainstream, agile testers need to know more about testing in general and test techniques specific. First we will practice the attitude of a tester, that is thinking how to create problems (test cases) rather than solving problems (a business and technology driven focus). Second, it is discussed what test techniques are usefull in an agile context rightaway, and what techniques need adaptation in order to be effective. (For instance, test techniques tend to be dependent on documentation up front, but does this mean they are less useful).

In this session several traditional test techniques [such as Equivalence Partitioning, Boundary Value Analysis, Heuristic Evaluation, Exploratory Testing, Process Cycle Test, Data Flow Test] will be exercised and discussed. The attendees will decide what techniques are discussed. At the end a general approach to agile test techniques is expressed.

Benefits of attending

• The attendees will learn more about thinking like a tester, the testers attitude
• The attendees will learn Test techniques
• The attendees will learn what kind of test techniques are valuable in an agile context

What will the organiser learn

• What agile team members consider useful test techniques
• Feedback on agile testing from more experienced agile team members

Session Outline

• 0 – 10 minutes: personal and group introduction (testing and agile experience)
• 10 – 25 minutes: Thinking like a Tester (includes a case or 2)
• 25 – 45: Technique [1]: explanation, case, discussion
• 45 – 65: Technique [2]: explanation, case, discussion
• 65 – 85: Technique [3]: explanation, case, discussion
• 85 – 105: Technique [4]: explanation, case, discussion