Tips

  • Defining configuration management

    In this tip, Heusser explains that configuration management is a context-specific term, but that it ultimately means reducing the risk of failure due to change.

  • Just enough configuration management

    SSQ contributor Matt Heusser, describing techniques such as push-button build, continuous integration and push-button deploy, gives tips to help you decide just how much configuration management is...

  • Are managers needed in Agile development?

    In Agile development, teams are self-directed. Are managers even needed or do they just get in the way?

  • Change notifications: Think big. Think social media.

    In this tip, SSQ contributor Kay Diller suggests the use of firewall-protected social media to inform your organization of changes.

  • Change management in an Agile environment

    Since the idea of Agile development is to enable and encourage product or application owners to change their minds, change management in an Agile context should be smooth and natural. Here are six ...

  • Internationalization and localization testing

    In this tip, SSQ contributor Matt Heusser explains how to test for internationalization and localization, including techniques, tools and quick attacks to weed out hard-to-find bugs.

  • The cloud: Does it fit into your business model?

    In this tip, SSQ contributor David W. Johnson discusses four factors that will help you determine whether investing in cloud computing is appropriate for your business.

  • Continuous integration in embedded software development

    This tip, the first of a two-part series, speaks to the role that continuous integration plays to help you create better releases and reduce the workload in embedded software development.

  • Continuous integration in embedded software development

    In this second part of a two-part series, consultant Howard Deiner talks about the benefits of CI, specifically when used for embedded software development.

  • To simulate, or emulate? That is the question

    Understanding the differences between simulator and emulator embedded software development tools is critical to effectively using them. This article dives into the issue and provides some suggestio...

  • Estimation approaches in Agile development

    In Agile environments, estimating is done using "story points." In this tip, SSQ contributor Chris McMahon describes how story points are used on Agile teams and how story size, velocity and iterat...

  • Agile development for embedded software

    In this tip, Agile consultant Howard Deiner describes how Agile software development can and should be done with the iteration cycles using emulators or virtualized hardware so that the benefits of...

  • Test automation: Three approaches to browser testing

    Test automation when working with Web browsers can present challenges, such as slowly-loading pages, checking for sorted data, and testing static data. In this tip, SSQ contributor Chris McMahon de...

  • Deadly sins of embedded software development & testing

    In "The Divine Comedy," Dante probably wasn't talking about embedded software development, yet developers may be guilty of committing the seven deadly sins. In this tip, consultant Howard Deiner lo...

  • STAREAST: Agile testing and defect tracking

    Defect tracking systems (DTS's) are often used in application lifecycle management (ALM) to keep track of the bugs found during software development. In this tip, Agile expert Lisa Crispin talks ab...

  • Application security that won't weaken performance

    Security is important, but what happens when adding code to address security affects performance or usability? In this tip, SSQ contributor Crystal Bedell gives three best practices experts recomme...

  • Overcoming challenges with cross-site scripting testing

    Cross-site scripting (XSS) is the most common security vulnerability in the Internet today. In this tip, security expert John Overbaugh will explain what XSS is and will show techniques to test for...

  • Application security: Injection vulnerabilities

    A top security vulnerability in Web applications is an injection attack -- one in which the Web application is tricked into treating input as if it were code, allowing a hacker to gain control of a...

  • Eight traction tips to make Agile development stick

    Agile transition isn't easy. The tendency may be to revert back to traditional methods once the going gets tough, though experts encourage organizations to stick with it. In this tip, we learn eigh...

  • Agile development: Lessons for small projects

    In 2003, QA professional Chris McMahon was one of a team of two implementing a small project using Agile techniques. Though the methodology was new, the guidelines of the Agile Manifesto were taken...