2-5-09 Bangalore.
A lucky day for me, to personally meet some well-known personality of testing field.
Yes, you guessed it right I am talking about the BWST-1 conference held in Bangalore.
I had a great time out there in matter meeting people, learning, understanding testing, problems faced by testers etc…
I apologies for the delay in posting about BWST-1, actually the learning from this conference was equal to a big pool (of knowledge) and to write about my understanding from this pool it’s some what equal to catch a fish bare handed.
Anyways, following is my experience for/in BWST-1.
The day began with a general introduction between all presented (15) testers. Introduction was pretty much important to know each other [and to target people easily :-) (just kidding)]
India’s first ever Software testing conference BWST-1 was attended by, Ajay Balamurugadas, Aishwarya D Shukla, Guruprasad, Manjunath, Rahul Verma, Rahul Mirakhur, Shrini Kulkarni, Manoj Nair, Ravisurya, Santhosh Tuppad, Raghu Sahay, Sharath Byregowda, Pradeep Soundararajan and off course ME.
We were given three color cards 1. Red 2. Green 3. Blue.
Red- to stop every one and you speak your point.
Green- to add some interesting point.
Blue- to start a new thread.
Being our first time, using these cards were a bit confusing task but, after a while everybody started understanding the basic fundas of how to use these cards.
Moving on to presentations,
Presenter - Ajay Balamurugadas, Topic - Rapid Software Testing (changing the way of testing).
Ajay’s experience is experienced by almost all fresh testers, he says when he was new organization gave a template and set of test case which had to be executed nothing else, no other conditions or no other thoughts to be executed.
A new one has to follow this orders but, he didn’t found thing working so what he did is except those test cases, tried a different angle of testing, exploratory testing and unbelievably error/bug flowed like running water.
[Now, it doesn’t mean that only change in angle (exploratory testing) bought these error/bugs but, it’s a tester who should understand his perfect angle and utilize it in a correct direction.] Target achieved but, when testers achieve their target questions raise and that is what happened, now ajay communicated and tried to explain every one how/why error/bugs generated.
There after, ajay became the bug hunter of his organization. (Everybody wanted a piece of ajay for testing)
Nice move isn’t it?
Moral of this presentation-
1. Always move in a direction in which you are perfect.
2. Communicate or stand only when you have enough evidence to prove something.
(Detail description and discussion of this presentation click here)
Presenter - Manoj Nair, Topic - An attempt for better testing.
Manoj’s experience was all about testing a product in every direction which was really appreciated in his organization but, slowly and some how a problem created of managing data. Sometime questions rose to him saying how to manage data and what mode of presentation would be better. This was a real time question for testers. Manoj found solution for him, which is session based test management.
A question rose in between this presentation – Limits of data providing after which it becomes an overflow of data (by- Aishwarya)
This actually gave a different angle for the discussion, according to me this question is yet unanswered.
Moral of this presentation-
Data’s are meant for informing you only if, you manage them.
Presenter - Manjunath, Topic - Review of Bug Reports.
Frankly speaking first few minutes were bouncer for me coz I didn’t get the idea of reviewing the bug report.
Then slowly slowly when manjunath shared his experience that time my ideas got cleared actually then I understood the real purpose of reviewing a bug report.
Shrini sir explained me or you can say gave examples on this topic. (While walking towards the restro for lunch)
Now, I think reviewing the bug report is something which every tester should practice.
Presenter - Rahul Verma, Topic - Confession of a Fallible Tester.
What a presenter? Seriously he reminded me, my graduations first presentation but, his presentation was more professional kind off, amazing presentation.
Rahul verma didn’t present a way of testing instead he presented his mistakes which taught testing to him.
One of his experience:- In one of his assignments rahul’s senior gave him a tool and said use this tool for testing coz this is the best tool existing. He accepted that and tested with that tool but simultaneously he use to search reasons which makes this tool tagged best tool.
He shared his experiences with us which were more than a motivating presentation.
Rahul’s presentation didn’t taught how to test but he taught to learn from your mistakes
Can any one motivate you to make mistakes, rahul did seriously speaking, this presentation charged me to make more mistakes only if, I learn from it.
Moral of this presentation-
Nobody can educate you unless and until you want to learn.
Presenter - Rahul Mirakhur, Topic - Career in testing.
Rahul presented two questions why testing and why not testing. He gave out quite a few example how he tackle people with a question why testing.
According to him each and every one is a tester and every one like to explore, which was very true.
People at a certain level in IT sector do nothing just manage the given task and while managing they do not get a chance to live or to do what they want to do. I think this actually happens in real world.
Then he talked about how earlier developers were forced to do testing which created this mental blockage.
People have created a mental block either they live with it or leave it.
Moral of this presentation-
Every negative side has a positive angle for someone.
Presenter - Shrini Kulkarni, Topic - Test Automation, mindset, skill and people.
Seriously guys, I found him a pool of knowledge covered with a small brain.
Shrini discussed about his experiences in automation testing, meeting different people with different mind set plus with different skills.
What I learn from him,
Test automation- automation is more than just scripting.
People – many with many ideas.
Skill- to working differently
Mindset- keep on changing your ideas.
Moral of this presentation-
Testing lost its real meaning when it was brought to India.
Presenter - Sharath Byregowda, Topic - Session Based Test Management.
He shared his experience as how he changed the way of testing and achieved something which was unknown or unexpected.
You must read his blog Here, this would give you a clear idea about how he tested a product with his team and managed to create great result in testing.
Moral of this presentation-
Do what ever you want but manage things to make you understand.
Clock slowly and steadily moved on to 6.00pm which was the indication of stop.
Being very frank I was exhausted just because testing was more than testing out there was more than my expectations but, enjoyed it truly.
We ended up our BWST-1 conference on a good note- promising to be back soon.
On that note we left the premises to enjoy the evening out in Bangalore we went to a mall, to fill in up some food stuff. The process of hanging out got carried out for 3 hours and around 9.00pm we left towards are respective places.
"Testing lost its real meaning when it was brought to India."
ReplyDelete>> What does 'meaning' tell or express or communicate here?
>> What does the word 'real' means here in your context? How real is that 'real' and 'lost its real meaning when it was brought to India' in written words here?
>> 'brought' -- how it was brought to India? Did you see that how it was brought? Did you see who brought it to India? Did you infer how it was brought? Did you question that how it was brought? Did you investigate that how it was brought? Did you know why they brought and how you know that it had lost its meaning? Then did you know the meaning after it had lost meaning? How did you know that? Or did you believe if the speaker said that without questioning? Or did you infer or understood it the otherwise; if not how do you know that?
First of all thanks anonymous for your questions it gave me a creative thought for my next post.
ReplyDeleteOk expressing the word meaning >>
Many testers, test software the way they want or comfortable with, so the first priority is given to SELF rather than testing.
What’s the use of testing or to be in a profession which has been given a second priority?
Even today, interviewers ask this question, why do we need a tester? Don’t you think the meaning is lost?
When a tester is judged by the nos. of bug he found? Don’t you think the meaning is lost?
Everybody needs an experienced tester, here (in India) even if a fresher has more knowledge than an experienced tester but, this tag “fresher” kills his knowledge. Don’t you think the meaning is lost?
I met testers who knew the importance of testing but they don’t want to understand testing and sometimes they even abuse testing. Don’t you think the meaning is lost?
The word REAL.
There is a guideline of testing a software, by that I mean a basic rules and regulations but, I am sure that many Indian testers don’t do that.
If you are a tester can you ask your self a question “how many testers in India are improving testing or have the fire to learn some thing new in testing”
I bet you can count them on your fingers.
By that I don’t say that the testers out side India do follow basic steps or learn, actually I can say no one cares.
And ya, in this I cannot blame only testers of India because they are just a small part of a big game which is called SDLC.
Last week I met few testers from Australia and South Africa, can you believe they (testers) are sacked if they don’t follow the flow of testing, as compared to India, only two words work “ chalta hai… “
Why every one is struggling to find the meaning of testing instead of finding the meaning why don’t we testers test our skills and knowledge?
Brought >>
It was just a way of expressing my sentence. Testing is not a commodity which was parceled and brought to India but yeah it was something we learned from outside.
And in this process of learn the purpose was left back, that’s the reason companies out here don’t understand what testing is all about. Talking about the speaker, he was just presenting his experience with what all different types, process testing is done outside which was better according to me that made me think, that yes the meaning is lost…
I would like to ask you how can you say testing in India is at a stable level or how many people understand the actual purpose of testing.
Let me clarify my self, I am not at all against Indian testers but yeah I hate the mentality of testers out here, let me give you an example,
1. A tester given a product without any requirement he accepts it, WHY?
2. If he adds value why is it not counted, not bothered to find reasons.
3. They are happy with what they do and want no one to push them out of this set.
Fortunately, we have testers like Mr. Pradeep soundararajan. Mr. Rahul, Mr. Shrini. Mr. Mohan. Who are trying their level best to improvise this testing community and yeah I too want a change for Indian testers. I respect them a lot coz they have an ability to become a light for all (Indian) testers but, who understands?
A very few people are attempting to change which is good for tomorrow.
Congratulations! Sounds like a fine day,
ReplyDeleteThanks,
ReplyDeleteJames Lyndsay.
Its my honor to have your comment on my post.
thanks a lot, it really motivates me.
Shikhar,
ReplyDeleteA very good summary report of the day, going thru your post, I re-collected a lot of discussions/arguments among all participants had :). But, it's very sad that an event like that happens and is encouraged only by one school of testing. As I mentioned in BWST, I wish other testers also participate in events like this.
-Sharath.B
@Sharath,
ReplyDeleteThe other schools of testing aren't constant learners as we are. They are certified and have reached the pinnacle but have we reached the pinnacle?
BWST is an invitation only kind of a peer conference and we invite minds that want to engage in discussions and learn from each other.
If they are bothered about learning they would come. No meaning feeling for them.
@Sharath...
ReplyDeleteThanks sharath, I agree that no other institute support testing as Edista does. I wish too that other tester also learn the importance of sharing knowledge. Atleast, we are lucky that we understand that and support our testing community.
@ Pradeep Soundararajan,
I total agree your point, that other schools aren't a constant learner. Truly certificate have reached the a specific pinnacle and this peer conference haven't reached anywhere but, atleast we have started the first step towards a new pinnacle and soon will mark our presence...