Recently we found ourselves unexpectedly with a group of people who had been told what they needed without being asked what the fundamental problem was or how it could be solved. No needs assessment had occurred. Instead a quick solution had been sold to them and we had been asked to deliver it on behalf… Continue reading Know the Need(s) Before
Month: June 2014
Inventory the Processes First
One of the concerns with Process Improvement is the tendency to throw out all the old processes and start anew as if nothing had ever existed. This is an understandable reaction if the existing processes have never been organised, recorded, and classified. The problem is compounded if they are scattered throughout the organisation, exist only… Continue reading Inventory the Processes First
Count the 'Bouncebacks'
“Bouncebacks’ is not a technical term in common use. In our usage here we are counting the number of times a defect (or issue) bounces back and forth between tester and developer (or other personnel). It is common for a defect to have a count of at least 2 and maybe 4 if some clarification… Continue reading Count the 'Bouncebacks'
Demographic (testing) Dividend
The demographic dividend occurs when fertility rates drop; and and a bulge of people move through the society creating a reduced dependency ratio. A definition can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_dividend. You might ask what impact this has on testing. Several countries (in the world) are currently experiencing a demographic dividend right now. Some are just… Continue reading Demographic (testing) Dividend
More People is the Answer
No it is not the answer. The amount of testing we can do will always outrun the number of people who can do it. There is always more testing that one can add to try and assure that less defects are in the system. However, that will only take you so far. Inserting less defects… Continue reading More People is the Answer