Metatesting: The Questions

Testers deliver quality. Testers are a proxy for the user. Automation finds defects. Test Automation increases efficiency. Software development focuses on the users’ needs. Which of these statements are true? Which are false? We each have understandings of software testing and Quality Assurance, but how many of them stand to scrutiny? As testers do we seek truth? Do we need to be able to recognize what is true to help our stakeholders? If our job as testers is to scrutinize, shouldn’t we first scrutinize ourselves, to make sure we’re able to properly test? In this session, Paul Merrill contends that most of what we think we know about testing and test automation is false – and the falsehoods may not be contained to our domain. Learn a handful of techniques for metatesting (or testing the tester), including “the questions”. Come away from this session with the secrets only the best testers know and the ability to wield them for good in your testing.

• Speakers
• Paul Merrill, Principal, Beaufort Fairmont