Grand Testing Master Theory - Mind Mapping

Workshop

Graham Thomas, Independent Consultant,

UKT4

Grand Testing

Master Theory

Mind Mapping

Workshop

Graham ThomasIndependent Software

Testing Consultant

Stockholm3rd December 2007

AbstractThis workshop is an opportunity to

contribute to the development of the Software Testing Body of Knowledge

Through the medium of Mind Mapping, a quick, simple and effective way for groups to work together

We will look at the structure of Software Testing, and then go on to examine what constitutes good testing practice

Agenda

Introduction - 10 mins

Brainstorming - 15 mins

Break-out 1 - 30 mins

Energiser

Break-out 2 - 30 mins

Learning Points - 10 mins

Conclusion - 5 mins

Chess Master Cluster Theory

Less Experienced

Smaller memory clusters

Don’t give whole picture

Grand Master

Overlapping memory clusters

Give whole board

Build up Testing Clusters

Chance Discovery Analysis

Use Chance Discovery Analysis to discover the unseen commonalities

(Chance discovery is a class of algorithms to discover relationships in unstructured data – Les Hatton)

Three Good Things

A few years ago I was invited to a corporate Clay Pigeon shooting day. I had never shot before, but it sounded like fun so I thought that I would give it a go.

In the morning we had a practice at the six disciplines. I had never shot before so I was put into the absolute beginners group.

I was hopeless. I couldn’t hit anything.

The coach was very good. He had a look at what I was doing, and for each discipline, just told me 3 simple things, that I could relate to, that would help me.

In the afternoon I won the individual competition –with a high score, and two 6’s.

And that got me to thinking about 3 good things. If only we could do that for Software Testing.

Brainstorming

So if you know the answer please don’t keep it to the end!

We don’t have a year so lets see what we can do in 5 minutes!

An example of how far thinking and collaboration tools have developed

An example Mind Map

Break-Out 1

Mind Mapping Testing Clusters

Part io In your groups, work on the Flip Chart to

draw a Mind Map for Software Testing

o Group together related activities

o Draw links where necessary

Part iio Group feedback

o Build common Mind Map

Energiser

Break-Out 2

Mind Mapping 3 Good Things

Part io Work through your original Mind Maps

o Where you can, add in 3 good things

• Those things that you know to be good

• That work for you

• And you would tell to others in order to help them

Part iio Group Feedback

o Build common 3 Good Things Mind Map

Learning Points

What did you learn form the workshop today?

What will you take away from today?

Feedback on how the workshop went today?

Suggestions for future direction for the work?

Summary

I hope that you can see the same possibilities that I can for the Grand Testing Master Theory,

You have helped too Develop Software Testing Cluster Mind Maps

o Identify Industry Best Practice with 3 Good Things examples

o Further the work on a Software Testing Body of Knowledge

If you would be interested in doing further work in this area please talk to me afterwards, drop me an e-mail, or visit my website for a link to the MindMaps

Contact Details

Graham Thomas

Independent SoftwareTesting Consultant

graham@badgerscroft.com

+44 7973 387 853

www.badgerscroft.com