starwest 2013 courage and freedom in exploratory testing

© 2013 Congruent Compliance LLC 1

Courage and Freedom in Exploratory Testing

October 2013

© 2013 Congruent Compliance LLC 2

Griffin JonesConsultantAgile / Testing / Regulatory

October 2013

This Presentation Covers …• How to think about Exploratory Testing• The questions to ask yourself• Project roles and Exploratory Testing• Warning Signs• Project stories and a stump-speech

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EXPLORATORY TESTING IS …Simultaneous …

• Test Execution• Test Design• Learning• Optimization

Execution

Design

Learning

Optimization

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EXPLORATORY TESTING IS …

… not your Hands.

The thoughts inside your Head…

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EXPLORATORY TESTING

… requires …

… and …

… to Question

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FOUR QUESTIONS …Performance• Should I change how I perform a task?

Redesign• Should I redesign the task?

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… FOUR QUESTIONSMission• Am I working on the correct mission?

Learning• Am I learning

and adapting?

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1. PERFORMANCEShould I change how I perform a task? • Intentional Alternation and Variation

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2. REDESIGN Should I redesign the task? • Intentional Galumphing …

… or cut the Gordian-Knot

… or cut-to-the-chase

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3. MISSION Working the correct mission? • Who values the mission, and Why?

Ask the Zero Questions• Is this a problem for me, right now?• Anything not worth doing, …• Where’s the Beef?

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4. LEARNING Am I learning and adapting? • Can I solve my own problems?• Am I self-healing?• Am I aware of the greater context?• … or am I stuck

and need a jiggle?

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DoerManager-of-DoerClient

THREE ROLES: STORIESExecution

Design

Learning

Optimization

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WARNING SIGNS OFSUPERFICIAL COMMITMENT

Abdication• Refusing responsibility

Resignation• Mentally Unengaged with the Design

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WARNING SIGNS OFSUPERFICIAL COMMITMENT

Mechanistic Efficiency• Using people like Machines

All Success – No Failures, No Slack• And no Learning

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THE FINAL QUESTIONConstantly ask yourself …

What is the best test, I can perform right now?

… and do that.

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How to Think about ET• Having the Courage to Think

The four questions to ask yourself• Should I change how I perform a task?• Should I redesign the task?• Am I working on the correct mission?• Am I learning and adapting?

SUMMARY … AHOW COURAGE AND FREEDOM

INFLUENCE

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Project Roles and Exploratory Testing• The courage and freedom need for each role

Four Warning Signs • Abdication, Resignation, Mechanization,

All Success

The Final Question• What is the Best Test,

I can perform right now?

SUMMARY … BHOW COURAGE AND FREEDOM

INFLUENCE

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IMAGE CREDITS …http://thecrossovertest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/courage21.jpg

http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/18heminke/files/2013/01/freedom-jumping_00376259-1s2s8xq.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Computer_keyboard.gif

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/ThinkingMan_Rodin.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Our_Community_Place_Sandbox.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Soup_Spoon.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sand_sorting_tower.jpg

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… IMAGE CREDITShttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_assembly_line_-_1913.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_cuts_the_Gordian_Knot.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Perilsofpauline.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hereford_bull_large.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinyl_very_dusty.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EdwardVIIIcoin.jpg

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QUESTIONS AND STORIES

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Griffin Jones

Griffin.Jones@CongruentCompliance.com

October 2013