March 2024 Influences

This month, I’ve been a little obsessed with writing about testing. I’m a tester, of course I’d obsessed with testing.

I’m going to share a few links and videos I’ve been watching about AI, testing, and my March influences.

I grew up in the Central Valley of California and in high school, I became a fan of Neal Stephenson. At that time, I could only imagine what the future could be like. Ideas like the metaverse, avatars, and AI seem very close today.

Testing

In 2018 I took a course with a group of software testers. It’s been about seven years since then I’ve been writing down what I learned from Rapid Software Testing. In short, start with the test strategy, coverage and test coverage, and the testing story. I wrote my own personal glossary from my training. I’ve heard that RST will publish a book and I’m curious what’s changed and what is timeless.

If you are new to testing or software, don’t worry about being anxious or worried about how to test. There are roles for a reason because this is what businesses want from you. If you are a junior, energy and excitement can make a big difference. As you grow in your role, find mentors, teach what you are learning, and keep writing about your insights.

Be dynamic. Whether you are a beginner or a senior, there is something you can share. Testing is often intuitive; however we’re asking you to share your wisdom about the business and testing in general. Software is never done and often we run out of time. Look around for testability, organization, and missing coverage.

AI and Testing

Ministry of Testing - 31 Days of Testing

This whole month the Ministry of Testing has been publishing bangers on how we are using AI and testing today.

31 days of threads and a bevy of discussion.

• Day 3 List ways in which AI is used in testing
• Day 6 Explore and share insights on AI testing tools
• Day 21 Developer Your AI in Testing Manifesto

This video is the culmination of Rahul’s learning journey. Check out the Rahul’s Testing Titbits.

Test Compass

Wayne Roseberry shared a YouTube video on how he thinks and tests an AI product called Kusho. Wayne used Test Compass

I’ve been using Camunda and Business Process Modeling and Notation for a few years and it’s not perfect but it does provide a consistent visual across systems, projects, and teams. I might take some of these ideas or try out Test Compass.

Books and Media

• Snow Crash - Reading with my book club group.
• The Wisdom of Frugality: Why Less Is More
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
• The Minimalist Entrepreneur: How Great Founders Do More with Less
• The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices

Big Questions for Myself

• Which community needs you to build your business?
• How do you tailor your thinking so that you can reduce risk while generating new opportunities?
• Would Google’s Gemini 10M tokens give you valuable insights from your software projects?