Author: Neil

  • Bridging the Gap

    Bridging the Gap

    Bridging the Gap between vendors and the final client can be difficult for a System Integrator. It is one thing to actually make the decision, purchase the software, integrate the software and deliver it. It is very much another situation when you come to the various levels of testing and need to coordinate multiple vendors, one System Integrator, and a client with multiple departments with differing needs.

    Please take a look at the Case Study 1 : https://nvp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Case-Study-1.pdf for one occurrence.

  • Quantifying Intangibles – 4

    Quantifying Intangibles – 4

    Refining and maintaining the value of intangibles is an on-going task that must be re-visited with every project and at least once a year the entire list needs to be validated to confirm that they are useful items to be included in a project costing. Items that were important may no longer be necessary and new ones may need to be added.

  • TASSQ May 2025 Webinar

    Toronto Association of Systems and Software Quality (TASSQ) is pleased to announce our Webinar for May 2025.

    Topic: Back to Basics

    Presenter: Huib Schoots

    Location: Online, Zoom

    When: Tuesday May 27 at 6:15 p.m. (EDT)

    Cost: $14.00 CAD

    Register at https://tassq.org/events

    Presentation Abstract:

    Back to Basics

    Organizations are often concerned that testing is not sufficiently focused on finding the problems that really matter. Testers often don’t know how to determine when they’ve tested enough. Testers are naturally inclined to test too much. So we test too much and probably regularly test the wrong things… The solution is simple: back to basics!

    Presenter Bio:

    My personal mission is to improve software quality by shaping better people by connecting, innovating, facilitating, coaching, enabling, and teaching. I’m fascinated by mindset, thinking, behaviour, communication, and collaboration. I’m active in many communities. Some keywords about me: humanist, servant leader, open, direct, creative, idea generator, result-driven, humorous, problem solver, curious, confronting, critical thinker, passionate and energetic, lifelong learner, entrepreneurial, analytic, and continuous (world) improver. I like hanging out with friends, singing in a rock band, playing trombone in a brass band, board & computer games, LEGO, photography, running, beer brewing, magic tricks, travelling, and reading. I work as a quality & test consultant, trainer & coach.

    Plenty of reasons to Attend TASSQ Webinars:

    As a professional involved in QA you will:
    Get prompt information on topics and thought leadership affecting the QA community

  • Quantifying Intangibles – 3

    Quantifying Intangibles – 3

    Last week we gave a partial list of intangibles: Better Quality; Strategic decisions; Opportunity and Innovation; Flexibility and Information and Decisions. We recommended setting a base level cost so they had some value. It should not start out too high but as you gain information over the projects, it should be possible to refine the benefit and get a more accurate benefit figure.

  • Quantifying Intangibles – 2

    Quantifying Intangibles – 2

    Last week we talked about quantifying the intangibles related to a project without stating what they were. The inability to actually state what they are contributes to the inability to quantify them. So here is a partial list: Better Quality; Strategic decisions; Opportunity and Innovation; Flexibility and Information and Decisions.

  • Quantifying Intangibles

    Quantifying Intangibles

    Last week we talked about how missing Quantifying the Intangibles caused issues in people supporting QA efforts. When intangibles cannot be costed (but still take effort) and the benefits the provide may not be immediate they become a (not so hidden) cost on the project. At the very least we need to put a baseline cost on the intangibles.

  • Why is QA Difficult to Understand?

    Why is QA Difficult to Understand?

    It is difficult to quantify some aspects of QA, particularly the intangible aspects that cannot be costed. If they are lumped under the overall category of being long term improvements or ‘good for the company’, it is very difficult to justify that type of expense out of a project budget. It is no wonder that these types of ideas get very little exposure in your typical IT project.

  • TASSQ April 2025 Talk

    TASSQ April 2025 Talk

    Toronto Association of System and Software Quality -TASSQ is pleased to announce our Webinar for Aprilh 2025.

    Topic: The Pursuit of Failure

    Presenter: Chris Armstrong

    Location: Online/Zoom

    When: Tuesday April 29 at 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. EST

    Cost: $14.00 CAD

    Register at: TASSQ

    Presentation Abstract:

    As testers, we often seek balance: risk & quality, introvert & extrovert, holistic & granular, failure & success.

    Throughout my twenty years in testing, I have had the longest relationship with failure. It has the power to demotivate, derail, break, and end progress.

    Is our identity as testers in finding bugs, in pointing out where things are incorrect, do we only bring negativity, are we diametrically opposed to developers in this saga called software development?

    What you will learn:

    1. Methods of reflection and retrospection to break the cycle of failure into success.
    2. The language that we use as testers has power.
    3. Awareness, movement, and relevancy – software is ever evolving, and we need to change with and help to shape its future, without burning out