Presentation given at the 23rd UK Test Management forum on Wednesday 29th July 2009 about communication problems on software teams and specification workshops from a testing perspective.
4. Problems
Developers invading into testing → loss of
control
Lack of documentation, so people don't know
what to test → no effect
Very little influence → no respect
People feel pushed out → no job satisfaction
No clear definition of work → confusion, fear
7. An experiment with four active battalions in
US Army
Commander expectations
matched actions in only 34% of
the cases
L.G.Shattuck, 2000
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/milreview/shattuck.pdf
8. The process is very much like a
telephone game
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mataniere/3107073262
9. B2 bomber crashed and $2bn went
up in flames
"the aircraft actually performed
as it was designed. In other
words, all the systems were
functioning normally."
Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jun05/0,4670,B2Crash,00.html
10. You can't help a lot when the party
is already over...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biolog/3457774800
11. Problems
Developers invading into testing → loss of
control
Lack of documentation, so people don't know
what to test → no effect
Very little influence → no respect
People feel pushed out → no job satisfaction
No clear definition of work → confusion, fear
12. Problems Symptoms
Developers invading into testing → loss of
control
Lack of documentation, so people don't know
what to test → no effect
Very little influence → no respect
People feel pushed out → no job satisfaction
No clear definition of work → confusion, fear
13. Problems
Testing is decoupled from development,
happens on the end
Lack of communication between business,
developers and testers
Animosity between developers and testers
14.
15. Specification workshops
Everyone in the same room to discuss and
agree on what should be done
Iron out inconsistencies and gaps
Warn, suggest, discuss, convince
Communicate intent
Learn!
16. Solutions for problems
Workshops promote communication between
business, developers and testers
Testers can influence the specifications same
as anyone else
Everyone learns first-hand what the
specification is so people know what to develop
and test
People start understanding what testers do and
respect it