Testing is Dead - Long Live Testing

Presentation by Shrinivas Kulkarni, Plenary Keynote Speaker @STC 2012.

Presentation Abstract

For the last 2-3 years, the buzz making rounds is very disheartening to testers - it is about alleged death of testing. Riding on surge of Agile development model, emergence of likes of facebook, twitter and success of crowdsourcing etc – obituaries are being written about death of testing as we know it. One thing is catching up in software industry – whether software makers or consumers – that is “speed”. While, for software makers it is really do or die situation, software consumers cannot afford to relax and move with their own slow pace. With software and technology being integrated so intimately – their size, inertia and legacy practices are pulling them down. Testing in what ever form and shape – is valuable only when it aids speed, agility and helps organizations to be adaptable. Testing gets knocked off in one sense – slow, process heavy, brain dead testing is dying where as testing that goes hand in hand with development, that adapts to new changes of business, development models and helps organizations sustain and grow – lives on. This talk focuses on analyzing the subject of changing perceptions about testing and how need for speed is influencing the way testers are doing their work. But then, where does this death apply? Entire software industry or pockets within? Join me in understanding the worlds of software makers and software consumers - where and how testing is dead – if we agree it to be so.

Key Takeaways
1. Understand how testing practice is split into various flavors in software makers and Software consumer's world
2. Understand the triggers and conditions that are causing the shift in direction and emphasis on testing
3. How testers can re-position their skills in view the changes and what keeps them in the focus.
4. Understand how testing is taking rebirth and what we can do to align with its emerging form.

About Shrini

Shrini Kulkarni is a software tester and a lifetime student of the craft of software testing. In a career spanning over 14 years, Shrini played multiple roles covering entire spectrum of software lifecycle - specially the roles of Test Lead, Test Manager, Test consultant and Test Architect. Shrini is known in testing communities in the US, Europe and Indian subcontinent through his blog and conference presentations. Shrini has consulted several banking and financial services clients in improving software testing practice and solving testing related problems. In multiple engagements spanning wide range of technology platforms and business domains. Shrini holds a post graduate degree in mechanical engineering from Indian institute of technology, Chennai, India and has worked in organizations like i2 technologies, Aditi Technologies, Microsoft Hyderabad, iGATE, HCL Technologies and Barclays Technology center India.

Transcript

1. Testing is Dead. Long Live Testing … Shrini Kulkarni Test Solution Architect Barclays Technology Center India Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this presentation are purely personal and in no way relate to or reflect the practices of my employer. Shrini Kulkarni
2. Testing is Dead. Says Who?
3. Dr. Alberto’s Statement • Old Testmentality vs. New Testmentality • Speed First Quality Second • Product Bugs vs. Idea Bugs – what to chase • Fail Fast and cheap • Focus on building right IT that building it Right • Focus on building right IT that building it Right •QA and Automation Testing Dead? • Quality is tainted • Testing slows you down – that is Bad !!!
4. Dr. Gojko’s Statement • Testing was always compromised – pushed to last – Time pressure, late changes • Value of testing as we progress in the cycle diminishes • Testing is safety-net for developers – remove it to make them responsible and accountable • What good is a solid product (no bugs) that no one uses?
5. Dr. Whittaker’s Statement • Developers are producing better code • Writing test plans is waste of time – nobody reads them • We know where the bugs are – finding bugs is no big deal anymore • Testing makes developers complacent • Cloud Advantage – Cloudy with chance of tests…. • Cloud Advantage – Cloudy with chance of tests…. • Testers - stop testing but enable those who do – the developers • Crowdsourcing
6. The Post Mortem Report Testing is dead because – • Speed first quality second – testing slows down things • New Agile/Fragile models • Developers are getting better • Value of testing late in cycle is very low • Idea bugs are important • Cost of finding, fixing and deploying fix is ridiculously LOW. …. ….
7. Two world views
8. News from other world…Testing is not Dead… but… •Folks from both worlds meet at funeral procession and exchange ideas. •Ideas from other worlds are tried out •Testing in other world is NOT dead •Culture, Legacy and Business context influence •Culture, Legacy and Business context influence •Brain Dead Testing is dying for sure in some pockets
9. When things change …..
10. Emerging New order…Where two worlds meet… • Business - hence is primary context driver – Scott Barber • Skilled testing is valuable when it fits the context • Role of testing in “Speed first quality second” approach • Scaling up to Agile/Fragile models any • What if we don’t do any testing That testing will survive and thrive which – • Listens to its stakeholders and the relevant business context • Provides the information that sought • At a speed (and hence the cost) that is reasonable • Adopts and Adapts to the changes at a speed to make business successful
11. Closing Remarks • Testing is Dead, Long Live testing – don’t take literally – but take seriously • Listen and Align to your bosses on their expectation of testing • There is some job security – don’t worry • Keep talking to people in other world and know about trends there • Keep talking to people in other world and know about trends there • Manage your skills like you manage your financial portfolio ….. Never stop Learning
12. Where is your Radar?
13. Thank You Testing is Dead. Long Live Testing King is dead. Long Live King