RE: Advice on software testing?

Subject: RE: Advice on software testing?
From: "Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
To: 'Dan Goldstein' <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>, "'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:38:45 +0000

"The company should have a clear definition of what a bug is" -- I guess a standard definition doesn't exist then?

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Dan Goldstein
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 3:33 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Advice on software testing?

Yes, I've tested software for bugs, and I've also worked with folks
whose entire job is software testing.

The whole concept of a bug being "rejected" speaks to a faulty process.
The company should have a clear definition of what a bug is. When the
tester finds one, someone has to decide (a) whether it needs to be
fixed, and (b) whether to delay the release if necessary (two separate
decisions). A "no" in either case doesn't negate the tester's work or
the bug's existence.

I don't think the software tester should make either of those decisions.
Neither should the software developer. But you're describing a situation
where they have *input*, and that's as it should be.


-----Original Message-----
From: Dana Worley (MVP/JB)
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 3:15 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Advice on software testing?

Dan Goldstein wrote:
/Not sure what "position" can a tester have on a bug, other than, "The
bug exists, and here are the ramifications." /

I would surmise that you've never tested software, or worked with anyone
who is passionate about testing software!

As Peter said, as a tester I may turn in a bug that the engineer or the
"bug vetter" deems is not an issue. If I care about the quality of work
I am doing, and the quality of the product that will eventually be
shipped out, then I may very well take issue with my bug being rejected.
As with most things in life, you have use good judgment on when to stand
your ground and when to walk away.

FWIW, when we get close to a release, I sit down with every one of my
testers and ask them whether or not they feel a product is ready to
ship, or how close the product feels to being stable. These folks are
working with the software day in and day out, and have a pretty good
idea whether or not we should be comfortable shipping. In one of the
classes I took, the instructor said that in one company she worked with,
the testers would draw on the board each day how they were "feeling"
about the stability of the software -- smiley face, sad face, angry
face, etc. :-) We haven't done that, but I do rely on their input along
with risk analysis, market demands, and commitments when making a
decision on when to ship.




This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
http://www.doctohelp.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/ccardimon%40m-s-g.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.

Please move off-topic discussions to the Chat list, at:
http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/listinfo/techwr-l-chat

Information contained in this e-mail transmission is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, do not read, distribute or reproduce this transmission (including any attachments). If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or email reply.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
http://www.doctohelp.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.

Please move off-topic discussions to the Chat list, at:
http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/listinfo/techwr-l-chat


Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Advice on software testing?: From: Dana Worley (MVP/JB)
RE: Advice on software testing?: From: Dan Goldstein

Previous by Author: RE: Advice on software testing?
Next by Author: RE: Advice on software testing?
Previous by Thread: RE: Advice on software testing?
Next by Thread: RE: Advice on software testing?


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads