How Did I Miss That Bug? Managing Cognitive Bias in Testing NEW
How many bugs have you missed that were obvious to others? We all approach testing hampered by our own biases. Understanding our biases—preconceived notions and the ability to focus our attention—is key to effective test design, test execution, and defect detection. Gerie Owen and Peter Varhol share an understanding of how the testers’ mindsets and cognitive biases influence their testing. Using principles from the social sciences, Gerie and Peter demonstrate that you aren’t as smart as you think you are. They show how to use knowledge of biases—Inattentional Blindness, Representative Bias, the Curse of Knowledge, and others—not only to understand the impact of cognitive bias on testing but also to improve your individual and test team results. Finally, Gerie and Peter provide tips for managing your biases and focusing your attention in the right places throughout the test process so you won’t miss that obvious bug.