High Performance Agile Testing in Software Development

The Canadian ISTQB User Group is a totally volunteer-run organization that prides itself on bringing the most interesting topics for Software Testers across Canada.I was privileged and   honored and humbly agreed to do a presentation on the hot trend topic in the Software Testing field. I was excited to share my experience on Agile Testing in Agile team environment, for following reason:

As many organizations are adapting to agile software development, yet they do not adopt agile testing processes. Each sprint maybe treated as mini waterfall cycle, thereby bringing testers only after code is ready for testing.

Agile testing is a relatively new approach to software testing that follows the principles of agile software development as outlined in the Agile Manifesto.

A tester in an agile project will work differently than one working on a traditional project. Testers must understand the values and principles that underpin agile projects, and how testers are an integral part of a whole-team approach together with developers and business representatives.

Speaker Biography:
Sammy Kolluru brings rich experience in Agile Software Testing and Quality Assurance with proven track record of leadership and commitment to delivering quality software with his unique perspective; effectiveness, efficiency, measurement, visibility.

Sammy is the member of the Executive Board of Directors at the Canadian Software Testing Board (CSTB) and the member of the Agile Working Group Committee at the International Software Testing and Qualifications Board (ISTQB). Sammy was also the ISTQB’s internal reviewer for the Certified Tester Foundation Level - Agile Tester syllabus (CTFL-AT)

Take the survey to access trends in the software testing industry

CSTB and ISTQB ® are proud to invite you to take part in a survey to assess the current trends in the software testing industry. 

Click here to take the survey: http://sgiz.mobi/s3/WSTR2015

By completing this survey, you will:

·         Contribute to a better understanding of the software testing industry,

·         Help decision makers make the right investments,

·         Help you make more informed career decisions,

·         See the software testing trends in industry.

To thank you and to recognize your valuable contribution, you will receive an email with a summary of the results one month in advance of the report becoming publicly available.

Get your ISTQB Agile Tester Extension Certification Today

The Canadian Software Testing Board offers the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension certification. Candidates can register for the Agile Tester Extension certification exams by visiting www.cstb.ca. 

The certification for the Agile Tester Extension is designed for professionals who are working within agile development environments. It is also for professionals who are planning to start implementing Agile methods in the near future, or are working within companies that plan to do so. The certification provides an advantage for those who would like to know the required agile activities, roles, methods, and methodologies specific to their role.

In order to register for the Agile Tester Extension exam, the candidate must first obtain a Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification.

A candidate wishing to take a Foundation Level exam and Agile Tester Extension exam can go to the Canadian Software Testing Board’s website at http://cstb.ca/exams and register for an exam and write the exam on a date and time that is convenient.

General terms and conditions will apply to register for an ISTQB Certification exam. Please visit http://cstb.ca/general-terms-and-conditions for more details.

For more information about the CSTB, please visit http://www.cstb.ca, email cstb@cstb.ca or call 1(866)656-6603. 

Principles behind agile methods — The Agile Manifesto

Agile methods are a family of development processes, not a single approach to software development. In 2001, 17 prominent figures in the field of agile development (then called "light-weight methodologies") came together at the Snowbird ski resort in Utah to discuss ways of creating software in a lighter, faster, more people-centric way. They created the Agile Manifesto, widely regarded as the canonical definition of agile development, and accompanying agile principles.

Some of the principles behind the Agile Manifesto are

• Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software
• Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
• Working software is the principal measure of progress
• Even late changes in requirements are welcomed
• Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers
• Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication
• Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
• Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
• Simplicity
• Self-organizing teams
• Regular adaptation to changing circumstances

The publishing of the manifesto spawned a movement in the software industry known as agile software development.

Which Software Testing Career Path and Certification is Right for You?

Are you wondering which ISTQB certification is right for you? The following is a short explanation of the various certifications and the way you might want to proceed based on your career goals. The tricky thing in our industry is the constant change. The skills of today may or may not be marketable tomorrow, so while you’re thinking about what you want to do, you should also consider what you need to do to be able to get or retain the job you want.

Foundation Level – This is where you need to start. This is the gateway certification for all the other ISTQB certifications. This level is designed for beginners all the way up to those who have been in the industry for awhile (or maybe a long while) and need to brush up their skills and update their terminology. One of the fastest ways to fail in an interview is to use the wrong terms for testing processes, documents and techniques. Organizations tend to adopt their own terminology and it helps to have a base of “standard” terminology, particularly before you venture out for an interview.

The Foundation Level is in the process of being expanded to include several extension modules. Right now, the agile extension is due to be available in early 2014 and work is starting on the model-based testing extension. These are separate certifications you can get that are “added on” to your Foundation Level certification.

Advanced Level – This is where you need to start making decisions. What do you like to do? What do you want to do? Where are the most opportunities?

Advanced Level – Test Analyst – If you are not very technically minded, and would rather work with the user, know the business application and apply your skills more for analysis than programming, you want to pursue the Advanced Test Analyst certification. This certification is designed for the strong tester who has a deep understanding of the business domain and the needs of the user. You’ll learn about designing good test documentation, conducting effective reviews, and participating in risk analysis sessions (particularly to help determine the impact of a realized risk to the business user). You’ll learn about how you can contribute the test information (input data, action, expected results) to the test automation effort and you’ll learn about usability testing. You’ll also build upon the test techniques you learned at the Foundation Level and will learn new techniques such as domain analysis and cause-effect graphing, as well as how to test using use cases and user stories. You’ll learn more about defect-based and experience-based techniques so you’ll know how to pick an appropriate defect taxonomy and how to implement traceable and reproducible exploratory and checklist-based testing. Let’s not forget process improvement as well. You’ll learn what to track in your defect management to be sure you have the information to figure out what could be improved in your process and how you can do it. This certification is designed for the person who wants to spend their time testing, not programming or delving into the code or troubleshooting technical issues.
The path for the Advanced Test Analyst at the Expert Level will include a further specialization in usability testing and further development of testing techniques. At this point, these new syllabi are being discussed but will not be available until at least 2015.

Advanced Level – Technical Test Analyst – OK, admit it, you really like to play in the code. You like to review it, program tests to test it and create test automation and tools. If this is describing you, you definitely need to be looking at the Advanced Technical Test Analyst certification. This certification is designed for the technically minded individual who wants to and is capable of programming, both in scripting languages (e.g., python) as well as standard programming languages (e.g., java). You’ll learn how to approach white-box testing to find the difficult problems that are often missed by the black-box testing that is usually done by the Test Analyst. You will learn strong testing techniques that will allow you to systematically test decision logic, APIs and code paths. You will also learn about static and dynamic analysis techniques and tools (stamp out those memory leaks!). You will learn about testing for the technical quality characteristics such as efficiency (performance), security, reliability, maintainability, and portability. You’ll learn how to do effective code and architectural reviews. And, you’ll learn about tools – using tools, making tools, and a little about selecting the right tools. After all, you wouldn't want to accidentally get a tool that creates code mutants (really, that’s a legitimate tool usage) when you really wanted a simulator. And did I mention automation? You will learn the basis for automation that will be built on at the Expert Level.

The Advanced Technical Test Analyst certification is the gateway to the Expert Level for Test Automation (Engineering) and Security. The Test Automation (Engineering) syllabus and the Security syllabus and their associated certifications are likely to be available in 2014 or early 2015.

Advanced Test Manager – Those who can, do, and those who can’t, manage? Well, that’s not usually a successful formula for a test manager. If you are a test manager or want to be one, and you are willing to learn all the necessary techniques and practices to be successful, then this certification is the one for you. You will learn all about test planning, monitoring and controlling for projects but you will also learn about establishing test strategies and policies that can change the course of testing for the organization. You will learn about how to effectively manage, both people and projects, and will learn the importance and application of metrics and estimation techniques. You will learn your role in reviews. You will learn how to effectively manage defects and how to focus on improving the test process. You will also learn the importance and proper usage of tools and be able to set realistic expectations regarding tool usage. So, if you like telling people what to do, and they tend to listen to you, this is probably the right certification for you. However, that said, remember that technical people respect technical people, so rather than just getting the Advanced Test Manager certification, you should think about also getting at least the Advanced Test Analyst certification as well.
The Advanced Test Manager certification is the gateway to the Expert Levels for Improving the Test Process and Test Management. The Expert Level Improving the Test Process certification focuses on various techniques and models that are used for test process improvement. This provides a good coverage of the most popular models and provides information regarding how to approach an improvement effort to net an effective result. The Expert Level Test Management certification focuses on honing those strategic, operational and personnel skills to make you the best test manager you can be. There is significant discussion in the syllabus about how to be sure your department is performing well and is receiving the accolades it deserves. There is also realistic information regarding managing people effectively and dealing with difficult situations.

The Advanced Test Manager certification is also a pre-requisite for the management part of the Expert Level Test Automation certification. This focuses on how to effectively manage an automation project, including getting the right tools, resources, budget and timeframe. This syllabus should be available in late 2014 or early 2015.

Which Way to Go?
It’s entirely up to you. As you can see, there are several ways you can go with the certification path. And remember, for example, you might not want to get the Advanced Technical Test Analyst certification if you are a test manager, but you can always read the free syllabus and learn something even without a big time investment. All the ISTQB syllabi are available for download. They make for interesting reading, even if you are not planning the particular career path that is indicated. Our industry is constantly changing and new syllabi are always in the works. If you plan to head for the Expert Level, it’s a good idea to start planning your path now as that may determine which Advanced certification(s) you will need. Keep an eye on the ISTQB web site for new additions to the syllabus family. And remember to train, not just for your current job, but for the next job you want to get. Right now, the job market is hot for those with the skills of the Advanced Technical Test Analyst. There is always a need for good test managers. Note the emphasis on the word “good”. And, many companies want Advanced Test Analyst’s as well because of the need for black-box testing and strong domain knowledge. Right now, the biggest growth in in the Advanced Technical Test Analyst area, but that can change quickly. Get your training now, so you’ll be ready.

It’s unlikely that we will run out of work anytime in the future because, as long as there are developers, there will be a need for testers. It’s built in job security! Plan and train for your future. It’s looking bright!

Gain Recognition for Your Company

Join companies such as Platinum Partner Blizzard Entertainment in the the ISTQB Partner Program. The ISTQB Partner Program recognizes organizations around the world that have supported the professional development of their software testing staff through ISTQB certification. The Program comprises four levels of partnership (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Global) and the partnership level of an organization is determined through the number of certification points it has accumulated, which relate to the ISTQB Certificates held by staff.

The major benefits of the ISTQB Partner Program include:
·  Permission to use the ISTQB Partnership Program logo (and other permitted marketing material) on your organization’s website
·  Recognition of your organization’s testing professionalism, both in the local and international market
·  Official Recognition Letter, indicating identity/location, validity and level
·  Listing of your organization on ISTQB website
·  Listing of your organization on the CSTB website
·  Special privileges in relation to ISTQB related events and conferences
·  Eligibility to receive the alpha version of new ISTQB Syllabi with the opportunity to contribute to their review
·  Honorary membership of the exclusive “ISTQB Partner Forum” which will allow Partners to receive news on the ISTQB Roadmap.

Increasing productivity of SW projects ISTQB® certification can help

Software engineering and software project management are complex activities. Both software development and software management have dozens of methodologies and scores of tools available that are beneficial. In addition, there are quite a few methods and practices that have been shown to be harmful.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness or harm of various methods and practices Capers Jones has developed a scoring method. The data for the scoring comes from observations among about 150 Fortune 500 companies, some 400 smaller companies, and 30 government organizations. Negative scores also include data from 15 lawsuits. The rankings are based on about 20,000 projects that span 50 industries and 24 countries. The analysis is based on the author’s book Software Engineering Best Practices published by McGraw Hill in 2010. Some new data is taken from The Economics of Software Quality published by Addison Wesley in 2012. This version is current through mid-2014.

See the latest ISTQB® in a Nutshell presentation

Keynote on "Testing in Agile Team Environment"

The Canadian ISTQB User Group is a totally volunteer-run organization that prides itself on bringing the most interesting topics for Software Testers across Canada. Upon request by the Director of Sela Canada Mr. Eran Barlev to be a keynote speaker. I was privileged and   honored and humbly agreed to do a presentation on the hot trend topic in the Software Testing field. I was excited to share my experience on Agile Testing in Agile team environment, for following reason:

"As more and more organizations are adopting to Agile approach from traditional Waterfall approach, it has become very important to understand how Agile team works and delivers together in a shorter sprint cycle with customer and quality in mind. The International Software Testing and Qualifications board (ISTQB) also understands the significance of the Agile approach and are working towards implementing Agile Examination to certify as Certified Agile Tester."

Registration: http://cstb.ca/istqb-user-group-meeting

There were about 70 software testing professionals attending my keynote session. The audience were active participants and were engaged with me throughout the session. I received great feedback and some requested to even organize another session on Advanced Agile.