I was honored to be ask to present at Vermont Code Camp 2018, the 10th annual VCC! I’m learning about data and AI and machine learning and I plan to write more about it in this space. For now, here are my slides from my own talk today on the Whole Team Approach to Testing […]
Read More
Diversity in conference speakers == new ideas, more learning
I attended my first testing conference back in the early 90s. I can only remember one woman speaker, and she made such an impact on me, I still remember the session well – it was about how to test requirements. I have used those ideas ever since! Thanks in large part (in my opinion, anyway) […]
Read More
Continuing my learning journey
I’ve had such an exciting time the past year and it has led me into an amazing new opportunity, I’d like to share my learning journey so far! Modern testing and data science For the past year, I’ve been inspired by Alan Page and Brent Jensen’s A/B Testing podcast discussions of their “Modern Testing” principles. […]
Read More
All-remote retrospective
In February I wrote about the experimental retrospective format for our team’s “cross-pod retro” (so-called, because our large team is divided into smaller pods). Since then, my manager Jo Webb and I have continued to tweak the retro format, based on feedback from surveys done following each retro. Building on feedback Our teammates said they […]
Read More
Mob all the things!
I’m so excited that I get to participate in the Mob Programming conference next month- April 12-13 – in Burlington, MA. Check out the program and registration details. This is an amazing opportunity to work in small groups with leaders like Lisi Hocke, Woody Zuill and Llewellyn Falco. An even better way to learn about […]
Read MoreCourage to coach
You might notice that my posts here aren’t necessarily about actually doing testing activities. For the past several years I’ve been one of only three testers on a team of 25 or more coders. Currently, I’m the only tester spread across several mini-teams that add up to around 17 coders. I can’t possibly test every […]
Read More
Retrospectives for large teams with many sub-teams
My team has 40+ members, distributed into seven or so “pods” and across several locations. It’s a challenge to communicate information among the multiple pods. In addition, we often face obstacles that cross over multiple pods. We usually have a “cross-pod retrospective” once a month. It’s typically in the “Happy/Puzzler/Sad” format. We collect items in […]
Read More
Telling stories together while practicing critical thinking with VTS
We use our story telling and critical thinking skills constantly as we test and develop software. How often do we practice those skills on something other than features we are going to release to production? Musicians practice their craft. Even coders can practice their craft with katas and code retreats. How can we practice telling […]
Read More
My Tester’s Island Discs!
As soon as I heard the introductory episode to Neil Studd’s Tester’s Island Discs podcast, I sent in my five song selections. I didn’t expect to be picked, but it was really fun to think of the five tunes I’d take to the Tester’s Island! I’ve listened to every episode, and have learned a lot […]
Read More