test management challenges + solutions - selena delesie

Real-LifeTest Management

Challenges & Solutions

STP September 2010 Webinar

Selena DelesieConsulting Software Tester, Agile Coach

Delesie Solutionswww.delesiesolutions.com

[email protected]

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Last updated September 20, 2010Copyright (c) 2010, Delesie Solutions

mailto:[email protected]

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Copyright (c) 2010, Delesie Solutions 2

People Manager: 8 years

About Me...

Family & Friends

Health Nut

Wireless, Client, Server,

Web, Embedded

Test Program / Project Lead:

8 years


Some Types of Test Management Challenges

Team-Based

Stakeholder-Based

Project-Based


Staff not Getting Along Training Staff Rapid Growth Staff not Working to Potential Project, Staff, Budget, & Test Environment Co-ordination

Team-Based Challenges


I'm the new Test Manager Starting team size: 3 Ad-hoc process, lacking critical thinking I did all project planning Team size in 1 year: 10 Team members rely on me to make decisions Some team members under-performing

A Story about a Team


Delegate project planning & leadership to senior team members Stop providing all the answers Coach team members on new skill areas & techniques so they can succeed Provide regular training workshops Regular 1:1's with all team members Learn about motivators for each person Build relationships & a fun environment

Team Takeaways


Team members grow & develop More work accomplished Team members took ownership People spoke up, shared idea's, and made decisions Team members held each other accountable Everyone worked hard, and had fun Department highly regarded in the company

Team Results


Management is about doing things right.

Leadership is about doing the right thing.

Management vs. Leadership


“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men

to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to

keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt


Objective: Enhance growth of individuals, and increase teamwork & personal involvement. Conscious decision to lead in order to better serve others, not to increase own power. Emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy, & ethical use of power. Servant Leader Qualities: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, foresight, conceptualization, stewardship, growth & building community.

Servant Leadership


To be a great manager, stop control tactics, and be a servant-leader to: Gain respect Improve morale and motivation Increase productivity Build a strong successful team Improve value of testing in your organization

Managers – Change Your Perspective


“You get the best effort from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within.”

~ Bob Nelson

Goal: Help coachee recognize ways they can improve their effectiveness. Provide positive support & feedback. Offer occasional advice. Ask questions & rely on staff, who become the experts, to provide information. One-on-one, or in a group. Improves leadership, employee accountability, teamwork, communication, goal setting, specific skills.

Coaching, Not Telling


Build Relationships Open Communication Collaboration Work Hard, Play Hard Responsibility & Accountability Team Commitment & Team Results Reflect & Adapt Be a Learning Organization Lead by Example

Create a Healthy Environment


Non-Functional Requirements Not Enough Time Not Enough People Test Environment Lacking Quality is not a Priority

Project-Based


30 testers across 10 projects Minimum recommended testing outpaced capacity by 400% Testers expected to work weekends and evenings for months Not enough people or time Quality was said to be important, but not invested in or understood

A Story about Projects


Deciding what testing to do is like grocery shopping: Choose what to buy without going over budget, and buy what's needed most. Put 'test buying process' into hands of project managers They decided what projects & what testing would be completed within available budget, with our guidance.

Takeaways from Projects


Stakeholders gained immense respect for testing process, and trusted our decisions. Test group brought into new projects at same time as development. Existing projects re-prioritized & schedules revised.

Results from Projects


Don't be a victim of circumstance It's okay for people to want something Don't commit the impossible Educate on what testing can do Provide value every step of the way

Learn to Say 'No'


Tie Testing to Money

How much do they want to spend to get the information they need? Put decision in their hands – they set the priorities Eliminate mandatory overtime – if needed, get it paid for over & above salaries


Early Project Involvement

Get testing involved at start of projects Educate & show how you add value Don't become a roadblock Be a top-tier service provider Focus on 'we', not 'you' and 'me'


Agreed Upon Target Quality Levels

Decision makers determine priorities Provide guidance & information to help them make best decisions possible Find out what risks are acceptable & which are not; publish & sign-off


Developers & Testers Blaming Test not Included in Meetings Code Changes Result in many New/Reopened Bugs Unrealistic Expectations of Test Team Reporting the Right Information

Stakeholder-Based


I was the new Test Manager He was the new Development Manager Told me he didn't want testers to interact with developers Reason: We would intentionally use information we learn to make them look bad.

What?!

A Story about Stakeholders


Used active listening to learn more It wasn't about us Built relationships Spoke openly, honestly, & respectfully “We”, not “you” and “me” Built trust

Result: Became a big supporter of my department, sought our advice, and

advocated for changes to help us be a better service.

Stakeholder Takeaways


Be Personable Listen, and Understand Foster Open Communication The Whole Team Approach Build Trust

Communication Techniques

26Copyright (c) 2010, Delesie SolutionsMarc Archambault, Papershine.com

Communication Approach


Make Your Information...


Information is Relevant


They understand the information and find

value in it.

If they don't...

Was it the wrong information?

Was it the right information presented in the wrong way?

Information is Meaningful & Useful


Don't Risk:

Wrong Decisions Being Made

Losing Credibility

Causing More Work

Information is Accurate & Complete


Information is Timely

Mark Thaler


Clear on Next Steps Decision to be made? Need support? What do they need to do?

Information is Actionable

That was interesting, what's next?


Things to Consider... People Involved Leadership vs. Management Communication Techniques

What About Your Test Management Challenges?


Agile Testing: A Practical Guide for Agile Testers and Teams – Lisa Crispin and Janet Gregory

Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management – Esther Derby and Johanna Rothman

Difficult Conversations – Anne Dickson

The 5 Essential People Skills – Dale Carnegie TrainingLessons Learned in Software Testing – Kaner, Bach & Pettichord

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick LencioniSurviving the Top Ten Challenges of Software Testing

– Wiliam E. Perry and Randall W. RiceListen For Success: A Guide to Effective Listening – Arthur K. Robertson

Anything by Virgina SatirThe Social Styles Handbook – Wilson Learning

http://www.geraldmweinberg.com – Gerald M. Weinberghttp://www.nkarten.com/ – Naomi Karten

http://www.ayeconference.com/ – AYE Conference

Related & Recommended

http://www.geraldmweinberg.com/

http://www.nkarten.com/

http://www.ayeconference.com/

test management challenges + solutions - selena delesie

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