He doesn't like you!I don't like you either!

QA and Dev don't have to be enemies!

Why we don't get along, and how we can so nobody loses an arm to a lightsaber!

@g33klady

I am...Hilary Weaver aka

@g33klady on TwitterBlog: g33klady.wordpress.com

@g33klady

@g33klady

TOTALLYNOT HER

FAULT!

@g33klady

BackgroundArt schoolComputer scienceDorkatronBlah blah blah@g33klady

My first meeting with devs

@g33klady

I've only been a QA for a week and I've found so many bugs!

Fast forward...

@g33klady

“Meet Hilary, our QA...” or “Hey you're that awesome QA!”

How did I get here?

@g33klady

●“They don't understand the process”●“They don't even keep up with the industry”●“They're not helpful to me”●“They're jerks!”

What do they mean?

How we can all work together to be the most awesome software development teams in the

world!!!

“They don't understand the process”

@g33klady

●Writing the code●Building the architecture●The overall SDLC

“I need this RIGHT NOW!”

Do you like programming?

● Pair Programming● Code Reviews

● Your Code● Their Code

@g33klady

No interest in programming?

● Learn the basics● ProgrammingBasics.org● Google “learn the basics of programming”

Knowing how the underlying structures work is important!

@g33klady

Gotta know the structures!

@g33klady

Regardless...

● Be more involved in the SDLC● ALL PLANNING MEETINGS!

● Pair testing● Sit as a team

@g33klady

Worst layout ever

@g33klady

Devs

QA

Regardless...

● Be more involved in the SDLC● ALL PLANNING MEETINGS!

● Pair testing● Sit as a team● Review support tickets● On-Call

@g33klady

“They don't understand the process”● Get to know coding concepts● Get to know and understand the architecture of your application● Pair program on their code or yours● Code review their code or yours● Be involved in every step of the SDLC

@g33klady

“They don't understand the process”

● Pair testing● Sit together● Review and learn from support tickets● Be an on-call

@g33klady

<RANT>

@g33klady

@g33klady </RANT>

“They don't keep up with the industry”

@g33klady

“I never see them outside of work”

● Community involvement● User groups● Conferences

Developer user groups

● Learn about latest techniques and technologies the devs are using● Test Invaders● Always go out after!

@g33klady

Get to know devs as “humans”!

Testing user groups

● Solidarity● Broaden your horizons● Create a user group if there isn't one!

@g33klady

Non-testing conferences

● Look for testing tracks● Learn about what your devs learn about● Be a standout

@g33klady

The dreaded... Public Speaking!● Lightning talks● Submit to speak at a conference

@g33klady

If we want things to change, we have to be willing to change

ourselves

“They don't keep up with the industry”

● Keep up with learning new things!● Be a test invader ● Go to, or create, tester user groups● Go to conferences, even non-testing ● Give talks at UGs and conferences● Get uncomfortable

@g33klady

“They're not helpful to me”

@g33klady

No more “it's broken; fix it”. EVER.

● Digging deep● Taking ownership

Code structure = multiple paths

@g33klady

Enter SSN

Check if Past Client

Past Client? DisplayMessage

Otherstuff

Yes

No

@g33klady

Know the ins and outs● All potential points of failure● Architectural structure● Integrations

@g33klady

Be the authority on your application

Learn about your devs● Sloppy devs

● No interest in unit testing● Easy to spot bugs● “job security” bullshit

● Devs with a quality focus● Bugs are harder to find● Digging deep is important

@g33klady

How do I “dig deep”?● Pore through logs● Step through the code with the dev● Use any tools you can

● Fiddler is my go-to@g33klady

Priority and SeverityIf I were this dev, I'd hate QA tooDon't be that guy!

@g33klady

Priority and Severity● Document the definitions and expectations

● WITH devs!@g33klady

Everyone has the same definitions = less likelihood of contentionDon't cry wolf, they'll stop listening

Typo != App Crash

@g33klady

Everyone suffers if you focus on grammar before functionality

Prioritize Testing● Get the more difficult things fixed ASAP● Typo = minutes; Crash >= day(s)

@g33klady

Functionality first means less devs rolling their eyes!

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THIS

WORLD!

Write great bug reports!

@g33klady

It's like your math homework – SHOW YOUR WORK

Good Bug Reports FFS!

@g33klady

Write bug reports as if for memory-wiped future you● What steps did you take?● What doesn't produce the bug?● Screenshots + logs + debugger output● Leave ZERO questions

I'm not supposed to...● “QA” vs tester● Company policies

● Do the devs know?● Do they just think you're lazy?

@g33klady

“They're not helpful to me”● gain insight into your devs and the codebase● pore through logs● walk through the code with the devs● use tools!● Standardize priority/severity

@g33klady

“They're not helpful to me”

● Prioritize your testing● Be legendarily awesome with your bug reports● take ownership and figure it out● Communicate the process

@g33klady

“They're jerks!”

@g33klady

● Tactfulness● And...

Don't be a dick

Help everyone in the organization understand the benefits of testingFocus on quality at every step

@g33klady

Symbiotic relationshipWe are each a necessary evil for the other. @g33klady

“So to sum up:● QA forces me to change my headspace. And I hate it for that.● QA points out my flaws as a developer. And I hate it for that.● QA is necessary and makes software better. And I hate it most of all for

that.”

@g33klady http://codebetter.com/kylebaley/2012/01/30/qa-a-hillbilly-love-story/

How do we foster these relationships?

● Play together● Lunchtime social stuff● Find common non-work interests

@g33klady

But what about THEM?If we want things to change, we have to be willing to change too

@g33klady

“As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change

towards him... We need not wait to see what others do.”

-Gandhi

● Get to know programming, and the infrastructure and architecture of your application● Work and play together with your devs● Continue to improve yourself and your craft● Take ownership and dig deep into issues● Be amazing and legendary● Also, don't be a dick

@g33klady

How to be awesome

@g33klady

We CAN all get along, but it has to start somewhere...

@g33klady

Hilary Weaver | @g33klady g33klady.wordpress.com