Tips

Tips

Software development team structure and skills

• How to apply impact mapping to software with examples

  Impact mapping can reduce scope creep and enable flexibility in the SDLC by creating a shared understanding among all stakeholders. Learn how to apply it to software projects.  Continue Reading

• The importance of edge case testing: When to fix the bug

  While edge cases in software testing only affect a small subset of users, testing for them is still important. Learn which edge fixes are worth making and which can be ignored.  Continue Reading

• Is Scrum master certification worth it?

  Considering a Scrum master certification? Let's look at the considerations that factor into a decision to pursue certification and whether being a Scrum master benefits a career.  Continue Reading

• What's the value in an Agile release train?

  When multiple development teams work on code, integration and deployment become more complicated. ART could be a useful tool to smooth out these wrinkles.  Continue Reading

• The key role testing plays in a Three Amigos strategy

  Because testers are skilled in asking questions and suggesting scenarios that lead to alternative workflows, they can be especially useful in Three Amigos efforts.  Continue Reading

• Is continuous testing in DevOps worth the effort?

  Continuous testing isn't simple to implement, but it can add exceptional business value to software development when done right. Here are the key elements.  Continue Reading

• What does a developer advocate do?

  Developer advocates have a special vantage point because they talk to -- and hear from --both the people who develop a particular software product and the people who use it.  Continue Reading

• 5 essential best practices for QA teams to adopt

  Performing QA duties properly should mean more than checking lists of basic application requirements. Here are five ways software QA teams can improve review processes all around.  Continue Reading

• Make the shift-left testing approach work for your team

  Developers test to find defects and correct flaws before an application reaches release. But the ever-quickening pace of development puts pressure on testing.  Continue Reading

• 3 software developer goals that are top of mind in 2023

  Like many people, software professionals have their own goals in mind for 2023, including a focus on project management, software accessibility and data structure decisions.  Continue Reading

• 10 essential Scrum Master skills

  From sprint planning to servant leadership, Scrum Masters help Agile developers, product owners and other team members perform at their best. Here's what makes a good Scrum Master.  Continue Reading

• The role of the T-shaped software tester in modern dev

  While a T-shaped tester delivers a powerful and specialized skill set, continuous learning should be an ongoing priority for all software team members.  Continue Reading

• The major differences between QA and SDETs

  How do SDET and QA roles differ? The similar positions both focus on code testing, but it's their unique focuses that makes them a valuable part of an Agile team.  Continue Reading

• Make quality a priority in your software engineering culture

  A software team needs quality to ensure a strong product. Here are some ways to implement quality in all facets of development and build it into every software release.  Continue Reading

• Why a successful software tester's skillset is more than just technical

  How can you become a good software tester? It requires more than just technical expertise. Here are some important personality traits QA pros need to have.  Continue Reading

• What are an SDET's roles and responsibilities?

  A QA professional remains essential to the creation of quality software, while a software development engineer in test adds a different layer to the process.  Continue Reading

• How software testing certifications can boost your career

  How can software testing certifications give QA professionals a leg up in their careers? Learn how in this overview, as well as what certification types testers should consider.  Continue Reading

• 5 examples of ethical issues in software development

  As software becomes entrenched in every aspect of the human experience, developers have an ethical responsibility to their customers.  Continue Reading

• 3 dramatic ways to increase developer productivity

  Developers work best when distractions are at a minimum, yet most organizations simply aren't doing their part to reduce them. Be brave and try these three aggressive methods.  Continue Reading

• Why development team membership should change regularly

  Static development teams might be hurting your company. But too much reorganization can cause chaos. Here's how to strike a balance that keeps teams engaged and innovative.  Continue Reading

• Deal with remote software testing challenges

  Is your software QA team new to remote work? Learn what technical, process and culture challenges you will encounter, and how to surpass them to ensure quality.  Continue Reading

• 3 reasons testers need a QA manager in Agile

  Agile teams without a QA manager prioritize developers' perspectives -- even to the software's detriment. Here are three ways in which a QA manager offers value to Agile teams, and how they support testers.  Continue Reading

• How user story mapping aids requirements gathering in Agile

  Agile requirements are dynamic, not static. Collaborate on user story maps to make sense of frequently evolving customer needs, and put a Scrum Master at the center of it all.  Continue Reading

• How to train junior developers in 5 steps

  Junior developers thrive on trust and training -- even if you're wary of the former and have little time for the latter. Here's how to get inexperienced programmers tuned up fast.  Continue Reading

• Try these 5 team-building activities for software developers

  Whether it's a soft skills workshop, simulated outage exercise or in-house tech conference, these one-day events get dev teams out of a coding rut. Plan yours now.  Continue Reading

• 10 skills of highly effective software testers

  QA professionals with hands-on experience and a mix of technical and soft skills offer great value for software engineering teams. Testers with these 10 skills can boost their careers.  Continue Reading

• How to make distributed Agile teams efficient and collaborative

  Agile teams don't always exist under one roof, but they should still be aligned in responsibilities and goals. Here's the best way to approach global Agile team management.  Continue Reading

• Take a shift-left approach, but avoid developer burnout

  Shift left is often a net positive for software quality. Yet, the change moves more tasks to earlier in the app dev process. Take care not to bury developers.  Continue Reading

• Hire testers with a mix of technical skills and hutzpah

  There's a lot at stake when you hire a software tester -- and a lot to consider about the applicants. Matt Heusser shares how to evaluate capabilities and personalities.  Continue Reading

• How to keep developers and testers happy -- and productive

  The stresses of software development can strain testers and developers' comradery. Foster a collaborative and communicative environment to keep the whole team productive.  Continue Reading

• Embrace these 5 tenets for better QA leadership

  Knowledge and hands-on skills are always useful, but successful QA team leads also inspire and stand up for their teams. Here are five ways to remove team obstacles and coach great testers.  Continue Reading

• Hire a software testing team that fits your startup culture

  Albeit strapped for cash and time, software startups need testers as much as large companies. Advocate for a testing team, and find candidates who will excel in a startup culture.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise software developers: Forget minor software bugs

  Many enterprises think software isn't perfect unless they eliminate minor defects. However, this approach won't prevent major disasters, and it hinders the practices that would.  Continue Reading

• What enterprises learn from software failure incidents

  Research from Etsy and IBM suggests we are learning the wrong lessons from software failure incidents and points toward how to get it right.  Continue Reading

• Testers face pressure to improve software technical skills

  If you want to stand out from the testing crowd, spend some time acquiring technical skills. Expert Matthew Heusser offers an on-point tester training curriculum.  Continue Reading

• Five reasons your software testing career is harder than necessary

  No job is perfect, but software testers do have a few things to complain about. Expert Amy Reichert shares the five things that make her want to polish her résumé.  Continue Reading

• What modern test manager responsibilities entail

  What does a test manager do? That's not the easiest question to answer, as responsibilities vary. Expert Matt Heusser explains the crux of the role and provides some tips as well.  Continue Reading

• Agile project management using the Cynefin framework

  Learn how the Cynefin framework facilitates problem solving, Agile project management and teamwork.  Continue Reading

• Attracting the right Agile software developers

  A lot of software development job candidates will claim to have Agile skills, but are they just throwing around buzzwords? In this tip, consultant Catherine Powell will help you find the qualified candidates who live out the values and practices of ...  Continue Reading

• Eight steps for a successful software release

  Have you done everything to prepare for a successful software release? Software project manager Kay Diller describes eight things you can do to ensure your deployment will go smoothly. From creating your team to being prepared with a back-out plan, ...  Continue Reading

• Expert shows seven ways to improve your project management abilities

  Project management offices can benefit when the team has a diverse portfolio of skills. Learn how to become a better project manager by reading these seven suggestions, which range from developing talents and group leaders to better assessing ...  Continue Reading

• Who does what in a Testing Center of Excellence?

  With a Testing Center of Excellence (TCE) an organization can improve its software testing. Learn how and what each TCE participant does in this article from David W. Johnson  Continue Reading

• The role of a software test manager

  Effective software test managers not only understand the discipline of testing, but they are also able to manage and implement a testing process in their organizations. That requires team leading skills, communication skills, and being able to ...  Continue Reading