teams

Hand holding a camera lens focusing on faraway mountains Agile and DevOps Bring the Focus Back on QualityAs companies move to agile and DevOps, silos are coming down and there is more interaction and collaboration among teams. Quality is also becoming everyone's responsibility for the entire software development lifecycle. Quality is more than just testing: Consider a quality value stream along the overall value chain.
Person planning a project using an agile framework Frameworks Are an Agile Leader's Best FriendWith a framework in place, engineers can stop worrying about everything that framework does for them. Your team can focus on solving your business problems instead of building yet another solution to an old problem that's been solved before. Look around and identify the mistakes your team is making over and over.
Microphone on a stage at a conference Lessons Learned (and Unlearned) at STARCANADA 2018With a week full of sessions, tutorials, training classes, and events, the STARCANADA software testing conference had plenty of takeaways. Some highlights: what jobs will look like in the future with AI, why testers should lead efforts to make quality everyone's responsibility, and the importance of unlearning.
Chalkboard showing half analytical and half colorful doodles Helping Introverts and Extroverts Work TogetherThe personality tendencies of extroversion and introversion concern where people get their energy, and this is key to understanding how coworkers can perceive—and sometimes misinterpret—each other’s behavior. If the introvert-extrovert dynamic poses challenges, consider discussing these differences as a team.
Two people practicing pair programming Solo Programming, Pairing, and Mobbing: Which Is Right for You?Programming often is considered an individual pursuit, but there are other options gaining popularity: pairing, where you work with another developer or tester, and mobbing, where the entire team works on one thing at a time. Each is effective for certain kinds of challenges. How much collaboration is right for you?
An airplane in flight, photo by Andrew Palmer What Aircrews Can Teach DevOps TeamsAircrews learn a set of skills involving a structured way of communicating that breaks down barriers and forces an honest evaluation of the issues. They also automate what they can but still practice their craft over and over again, including what to do during failures. DevOps teams can learn a lot from aircrews.
Microphone on a stage for a keynote presentation 4 Lessons from the STARWEST 2018 Keynote PresentationsWith a week full of sessions, tutorials, training classes, and events, the STARWEST software testing conference had plenty of takeaways useful for your professional and personal life. Here are four lessons distilled from the conference’s keynote presentations on testing, communication, and directing your career.
Annoying coworker talking loudly on the phone How to Deal with Coworkers' Irritating Behaviors like an AdultAnnoying behaviors are amplified in an office due to close quarters and personal preferences. No one likes to have an awkward conversation—especially when it’s with someone you have to face every day—but if a coworker's behavior is driving you up the wall, be a grown-up and let them know. Here's what to say.