A Tester’s Guide To The Galaxy

Abstract: I’ve created a reference card pack that you can use to do better testing, by fostering a team-driven approach to collaborative holistic exposure of high-value product risks.

Overview:

There are three main ways that we learn: Ingestion (books, blogs, models), Collaboration (conferences, discussions, webinars, meet-ups) and Experimentation (exercises, modeling, day-to-day exploration, etc). Since I recognize there is a myriad of options available to fit your own learning style for the purpose of advancing the testing craft, I’d like to introduce another tool that may help: Tester Reference Cards.

Purpose:

Previously, I presented a new model/framework for testers, A Sprint Framework For Testers. My intention was not that testers use that as a script, but more as a model to inform their thinking; however, it does need some rewording and less emphasis placed on test cases to make it more properly represent the context-driven mindset that I actually posses. However, while deciding how to reword some of those ideas, a new artifact sprang forth in these reference cards. Like the framework, these are not to act as scripts to follow, but rather a guideline for how to go about performing better testing within each stage of your development process. While I believe the framework can provide value, I feel that converting that framework into an immediately tangible form that can be applied in the moment has even more intrinsic value. In other words, the Sprint Framework had a baby, and this is it!

Reference Cards:

ref-cards-02

Conclusion

Keep these as reference sheets in digital form or print them out double-sides (duplex) for a physical manifestation that can be shared by various team members. These reference cards can be used for prompting more healthy and holistic discussions in grooming sessions, sprint planning meetings, team retros, etc. They can also be used in groups or individually by programmers, testers, product owners, scrum masters and other internal stakeholders. I’ve provided you with the tool, but it is only as useful as you apply it within your context. Use whichever method that you feel adds the most value for your given context and the various learning styles within your team.

3 thoughts on “A Tester’s Guide To The Galaxy

  1. Mark Stephen says:

    These three factors are really the important and fully beneficial ones so as to enhance the capability of any software testing executive.

    Thanks CONNOR ROBERTS ! for sharing this so beneficial and important info about improving your testing standards. Simply like the way how you have explained that.

  2. This feels auto-spammy, and I have removed the link to your product. A genuine comment next time might be more effective. (Of course, this comment may never be read either)

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