Becoming an Information Provider with Dashboards

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

A primary concern for a test manager is to keep the test on schedule while meeting the test objectives, keeping stakeholders happy and making sure the tests are good. Like taking a trip by car, you have a destination and only so many resources to get you there. By keeping an eye on your car's dashboard, you can know your status anywhere along the way. Likewise in testing, a dashboard is a visible and effective way to organize and publish your testing status in one place so that you and others can easily see the progress of testing. The visibility of key testing metrics also increases your value as a key provider of project information from the testing perspective. Instead of being just a "problem finder" you become an "information provider” and can support the management decision making process to deliver quality systems.

In this presentation, Randy explains how test metrics can help a test manager understand the status of testing, how to know which metrics are the right ones for your projects, how to obtain them, and how to create a dashboard that can be used to display the status of testing so metrics can be easily understood and used to make good decisions. You will also learn how to avoid applying test metrics in dangerous ways and learn how to make mid-course estimates and adjustments so your testing project can reach its destination safely. You will leave this presentation with a solid understanding of test metrics and practical examples so you can know how to create your own testing dashboard.

Cheap and Free Test Tools

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)
In this session, Randy presents an overview of free and inexpensive test tools that can add power and efficiency to test planning, execution and evaluation. You will see how you can apply these tools together to achieve a combined effect of greater test speed and coverage. Randy presents and demonstrates tools that can be used for pairwise test design, test management, defect tracking, test data creation, test automation, test evaluation and web-based load testing.

Agile Methods and Software Quality

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

Many testers and developers are interested in agile methods because they offer faster ways to deliver systems. In this presentation, we will explore what agile methods are and they impact they have on software quality.


To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.

Credibility - The Tester's Key to Success

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

This presentation describes five specific ways for a tester to build and keep credibility. Each credibility building practice will be reinforced by case study examples of actual success stories. Topics covered include how to build trust over the long term, creative ways to document test findings, the importance of timing in presenting test findings, the importance of knowing the type of information your audience and stakeholders value, eight credibility killers to avoid, and how to rebuild credibility once it is lost.

To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.

Keeping it Between the Ditches - A Dashboard to Guide Your Testing

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

Like a dashboard in your car, a test manager's dashboard can help keep your testing effort on track. A dashboard is a collection of metrics that indicate progress, risk, resource utilization and quality levels of the software under test. In this session we will explore the key components that should be on your dashboard, how to obtain the measurements, how to track the results and use them to make informed decisions and how to convey the results to management. Examples of various dashboard approaches will be shown.

We will also discuss how to deal with factors such as unexpected change and new risks that may threaten to derail your testing project.

To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.

Testing Dirty Systems

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

Dirty systems are defined as systems for which the tester may lack any of the following:

  • Complete Documentation
  • Full understanding of requirements
  • Design/Architecture is not done in a standardized format and/or
  • The defect density of the software is unknown

The object of this tutorial is to assist testers in how to approach testing a system, which in many instances appears as a "black-box" to them. The testing process is heavily focused on a diagnostic step, which scopes the test problem, and assists the tester in building an effective test plan. The process proposed in this presentation should significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the software testing.

To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.

The Risks of Risk-Based Testing

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

Risk-based testing has become an important part of the tester's strategy in balancing the scope of testing against the time available for testing. Although risk-based methods have been helpful in prioritizing testing, it is important to realize that there are ways we can be fooled by risk. In this presentation, Randall Rice will discuss at least twelve ways that risk assessment and risk-based methods may fail. In addition, Randy will draw parallels to other risk-based industries and discuss the important role of contingencies to be the safety net when the unexpected occurs.

To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.

What Every IT Manager Should Understand About QA and Testing

Course categoryConference Sessions (Free)

The outcome of a project greatly depends on what management believes about testing and Quality Assurance. This presentation describes nine misconceptions held by management and what best practices indicate are the truths about testing and QA.

To view this presentation, simply set up a FREE user account by clicking on the title link and following the directions on the right side of the page. Your information is private and will not be sold or released to any other party.