Seeking knowledge in testing

Certification, certificates, degrees, demonstrated skill, practice (jobs). When I read a resume, I see these things. Each provides a data point about the person. Each can be used as a filter in hiring. Next, many people looking to hire have interview questions (even standardized ones). I asked a few of these after I read the resume. But to me when I was looking to hire someone, I looked for a quality that is hard to see on resumes or in standard questions. I want to see passion for the job I am offering. I believe my thinking is that passion about doing the work was more important and that passion would lead to the person seeking knowledge to perform well in the job.

How do we inspire and find passion?

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Upcoming appearances and book goings on

Well, the book is starting to ship and be available this week. Check out your favorite online book seller for “Software Tests Attacks to Break Mobile and Embedded Devices” from CRCPress.

FYI I will be presenting a free webinar based on my recent book on software test attacks to find bugs in mobile and embedded software. There are parts that are applicable to many mobile and embedded systems.

See
http://lnkd.in/bsDFm97

Finally if you have some time (and money) I will be teaching at STARWEST in two weeks (google “STARWEST +conference” to find the details and how to register.

How do we test when we have many version of hardware and software configurations?

See http://opensignal.com/reports/fragmentation-2013/ for interesting data on just how many platforms might need to be testing for a typical mobile app.

Short answer: to many.

So what is a tester to do?

Well as my book talks about I am a big fan of combinatorial testing (you can google on that and look for the tool from NIST called ACT). It is possible to use math to test a large space, such as numerous platforms, in a very scientific approach.

If you are faced with having to test an app on a “good” set of combinations, see this link
http://opensignal.com/reports/fragmentation-2013/ and then my book of combinatorial test attack 32.

Next level testing?

So we were at Softec Asia (software testing) last week. It is a regional conference but there seemed to be a lot of interest in software testing. The interest started at “how do I get started”, but interestingly there was also interest in “getting testing to the next level”. I think the certifications may be a start for some testers, but to be a good tester and working at higher levels, much more is needed. So the questions would be: 1) what skills are needed to become a good; 2) how does a tester work on developing these; 3) does a tester need skills outside of “traditional” test training; and 4) what are the resources to help?

I think I know the answer to item 3. I have always felt a tester needs many skills other than testing, e.g. system and software engineering, hardware experience, soft science skills, science skills, and even management. I have spent 55 years of training and effort to learn these (starting in pre-school).
The answers to the other question are not clear to me. The industry may have some of these in work. We see standards, groups like AST and ISTQB, training companies, traditional college, and OJT. Of these OJT may be best, but it seems like we need more. Further what we have, e.g. standards, books of knowledge, training, and certification, have not stood the test of usage and time.
So anyone working in testing, using books, following standards, getting training and/or seeking certification should view each of these with a scientific eye (scientific method). Evolution and survival of the fit will take place.