Let's Test 2012

The first (as far as anyone I know is aware) Context-Driven conference in Europe is quickly approaching. On May 7-9, 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden, Let's Test "A European conference on context-driven testing - for testers, by testers" will take place.

This is a CAST inspired conference, meaning that it focuses on in-depth exploration of topics, includes facilitated discussion as part of every talk (i.e. speakers don't get to "run out of time" as soon as they hear that "hard question") and conferring only increases between and after sessions. It's a fabulous format! If you haven't experienced it, and you are passionate about testing, you really want to -- it will change your perspective on conferences forever.

I am proud to say that I will not only be attending Let's Test 2012, but that I am honored to be on the program with some first-run content that I'm very excited about:

A Full Day Tutorial: Context Appropriate Performance Testing, from Simple to Rocket Science
A Keynote: Testing Missions in Context From Checking to Assessment
 

2 Cents on Ethics

I really had no plan to chime in on the blog conversation between Michael Bolton and Cem Kaner, but after the amount of time I've spent today having email discussions with folks who (apparently) were interested in my 2 cents, I've decided to go ahead and share. I feel it important to point out that as I have spoken to neither of them regarding this conversation, I most certainly don't want to give the impression that I am speaking for either of them.

(As a side note, I'm seriously beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just add a "Notes and Disclaimers" box to my blog... then again, that would be about the same as prefacing all my notes and disclaimers with "Allow me to provide some context" -- which would seem rather redundant coming from me. {grin})

Anyway, it would seem that it all started with Michael's post Why Pass vs. Fail Rates Are Unethical (Test Reporting Part 1) that, if not inspired, certainly contributed to Cem's post Contexts differ: Recognizing the difference between wrong and Wrong which, unsurprisingly, triggered the following post by Michael I Might Be Wrong (But Not For Me)

Ok, all caught up? Good. Lemme share what I think might be happening here and while I'm at it share my model for approaching ethics-related situations in business environments (testing or otherwise).

Testing vs. Checking ... my 2 cents.

I was pleased to see Michael Bolton's series on Testing vs. Checking. If you haven't been following, what I consider to be the central thread of the topic (and the unfortunately inevitable fallout that seems to happen in "testerland" almost any time someone says something that makes sense).
From Michael:

• http://www.developsense.com/2009/08/testing-vs-checking.html
• http://www.developsense.com/2009/09/transpection-and-three-elements-of.html
• http://www.developsense.com/2009/09/pass-vs-fail-vs-is-there-problem-here.html
• http://www.developsense.com/2009/09/elements-of-testing-and-checking.html

From James Bach:

• http://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/358

From Scott Barber:

• http://www.perftestplus.com/resources/014PeakPerf.pdf Original, ST&P Magazine, 2005
• http://www.logigear.com/newsletter/investigation_vs_validation.asp Reprinted by Logigear, 2007