Agile Testing
A Practical Guide for Testers and Agile Teams
Lisa Crispin
Janet Gregory
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Crispin, Lisa.
Agile testing : a practical guide for testers and agile teams /
Lisa Crispin, Janet Gregory. — 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-53446-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-321-53446-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Computer software—
Testing. 2. Agile software development. I. Gregory, Janet. II. Title.
QA76.76.T48C75 2009
005.1—dc22
2008042444
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
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ISBN-13: 978-0-321-53446-0
ISBN-10: 0-321-53446-8
Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at R.R. Donnelley in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Second printing, March 2009
Dedication
Table of Contents
Foreword by Mike Cohn
Foreword by Brian Marick
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part I. Introduction
Chapter 1. What Is Agile Testing, Anyway?
Agile Values
What Do We Mean by “Agile Testing”?
A Little Context for Roles and Activities on an Agile Team
Customer Team
Developer Team
Interaction between Customer and Developer Teams
How Is Agile Testing Different?
Working on Traditional Teams
Working on Agile Teams
Traditional vs. Agile Testing
Whole-Team Approach
Summary
Chapter 2. Ten Principles for Agile Testers
What’s an Agile Tester?
The Agile Testing Mind-Set
Applying Agile Principles and Values
Provide Continuous Feedback
Deliver Value to the Customer
Enable Face-to-Face Communication
Have Courage
Keep It Simple
Practice Continuous Improvement
Respond to Change
Self-Organize
Focus on People
Enjoy
Adding Value
Summary
Part II. Organizational Challenges
Chapter 3. Cultural Challenges
Organizational Culture
Quality Philosophy
Sustainable Pace
Customer Relationships
Organization Size
Empower Your Team
Barriers to Successful Agile Adoption by Test/QA Teams
Loss of Identity
Additional Roles
Lack of Training
Not Understanding Agile Concepts
Past Experience/Attitude
Cultural Differences among Roles
Introducing Change
Talk about Fears
Give Team Ownership
Celebrate Success
Management Expectations
Cultural Changes for Managers
Speaking the Manager’s Language
Change Doesn’t Come Easy
Be Patient
Let Them Feel Pain
Build Your Credibility
Work On Your Own Professional Development
Beware the Quality Police Mentality
Vote with Your Feet
Summary
Chapter 4. Team Logistics
Team Structure
Independent QA Teams
