STARCANADA 2019 - Keynote
Wednesday, October 23
A Framework for the Whole Team to Own Quality
Enterprise software teams often keep testers in silos, only to be frustrated when testing is slow. A frequent answer is to make the whole team responsible for quality. But how does that work? How can testers engage key stakeholders in testing throughout the software development cycle? How can test managers build teams where everyone participates in a way that plays to individual strengths while simultaneously increasing collaboration? In this practical and inspiring talk, Jess Ingrassellino will share how she developed collaborative test charters when she started working as the first...
The Logic of Verification
Software testing is sometimes described as verification and validation—according to Wikipedia, “the process of checking that a software system meets specifications and that it fulfills its intended purpose.” Yet, if we examine the concept and logic of verification, we recognize that there are serious limitations to what can and cannot be checked and verified. This is not to say that checking is a bad thing—on the contrary; checking can be very valuable. Still, it’s important for testers and their clients to recognize the fundamental limitations of checking and to address those limitations...
Thursday, October 24
The Lazy Student’s Guide to Test Automation
Do you loathe regression? Do you tire of the repetitive tasks that are part of your product's lifecycle? If you do, then you might be lazy like Chris Loder. Since his Grade 4 teacher wrote “Chris is lazy” on his report card, it has become his way of life. Chris will share how his “lazy” mindset has enabled him to produce world-class test automation with minimal effort. He’ll show examples of his work with software verification, documentation, reports, and analytical functionality, and even go into the archives to bring out some of his earliest automation efforts. You’ll leave with key...
Conscious Curiosity: The Key To Innovation
Curiosity is the spark that drives ideas. It fuels imagination, creative work and innovation, and it is the driving force behind discoveries of all kinds. Yet we tend to lose our drive to be curious as we grow up. How can we all be more consciously curious? How can you help instill a culture of curiosity at your company or at home? What are the benefits of a curious mind and culture? Jessie will share her innate and learned curiosity, and how it fueled her exploration of the subject. She will walk you through how she has learned to ask more inquisitive questions, looks for new and...
Automation Face-Off
What do you think about when you hear the words "test automation"? Are you considering developing your own tools to help you probe the product deeply, or will you apply a commercial tool for automated checking? Are “tools” and “automation” the same thing in your world, or do you see them as fundamentally different? Are you excited by new, powerful, enabling technologies, or do you worry that a robot will replace you? And are these our only choices? One thing is for sure: When we apply automation and tools, we may fundamentally change the context and the nature of the work we do. Our...