Improv(e) Your Testing!
Presenter: Damian Synadinos
Overview:
Improvisational comedy—sometimes called improv—is a form of theater in which the performance is created in the moment. Successful improv involves learning and using a variety of skills and techniques which allow performers to quickly adapt to a constantly changing environment and new information. Now reread the previous sentence, but replace the word improv with testing.
In many ways, improv is a great analogy for testing. As both an experienced improviser and tester, Damian Synadinos presents some of the many similarities between improv and testing. Each improv tip and trick is thoroughly described and demonstrated with help from the audience. Damian then explains and shows how the very same idea can be applied in a testing context. Using creative metaphors and critical analysis, old ideas about testing are reframed in novel and notable ways.
Whether novice or experienced, you are sure to laugh, learn, and leave with ways to help improv(e) your testing!
What should attendees bring? Nothing specific.
Bio: For over 30 years, Damian Synadinos helped “build better software & build software better” through testing. Now, through his company Ineffable Solutions, he helps “build better people”. As a full-time public speaker, he delivers entertaining and educational keynotes, talks, & training focused on people, based on experience, & supplemented with research. He also helped organize the “QA or the Highway” testing conference (QAortheHighway.com), performs & teaches improv, authored & illustrated a children’s book (HankAndStellaBooks.com), substitute teaches, and draws strangers for fun (IDrawStrangers.com).
Auditing your End to End Tests
Presenters: Jade Promhouse and Justin Wong
Overview: End-to-end tests are the cornerstone of validating real user flows, yet they’re often marred by high costs and instability. At Faire, we’ve recently rethought our approach to web end-to-end testing, conducting an extensive audit to scrutinize each test’s value and better balance our automation strategy. Our workshop unveils the methodologies behind our success, from aligning tests with core user journeys to making critical decisions on whether to replace, modify, or retain tests, and beyond the audit to the day to day of future development. Through this workshop, we’ll equip you with the tools to dissect your own tests, guiding you towards an optimal automation strategy that harmonizes speed, coverage, and reliability. As this session will be interactive, we invite you to bring your end-to-end test code and user journey outlines, as we’ll work with you to ensure you get personalized advice on elevating your automated testing strategy.
What should attendees bring?
- A laptop with your end-to-end code on it. Or, at minimum, a rough breakdown of your end-to-end code.
Bio:
Jade: Hello there! I’m Jade, a Senior Test Engineer at Faire, where I dive deep into the world of testing strategies, infrastructure and tooling. My journey has taken me through some fascinating companies, including Magnet Forensics and MappedIn, and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to share insights I’ve had at past Targeting Quality conferences and various meetup groups. I love tackling complex testing challenges, and try to approach them with a dash of humour to keep things interesting.
Outside of work, you’ll find me indulging in a myriad of hobbies. Whether it’s sewing, knitting, woodworking, or getting lost in the magic of video and board games, I’m all about embracing fun and creativity. I’m an avid reader, known to speed through books like there’s no tomorrow’s, and I have a deep love for animals and languages, which adds even more colour to my life.
I’m excited to share my experiences and insights with you, mixing in stories from my diverse interests. Expect a session filled with valuable takeaways, hopefully a good laugh or two, and maybe even a new way to look at the art of testing.
Justin:
– Graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering
– Worked at BlackBerry from 2010 to 2021 as a Network Tools Developer and Software Test Specialist
– Joined Faire in October 2021 as a Test Engineer
– Hobbies include video games, leading group exercise classes, cycling and photography
KWSQA Presents: Conference Speaking – Where Do I Even Start?
Presenters: Bailey Hanna and Tina Fletcher
Overview: Have you ever thought about presenting a talk at a conference before but didn’t know how to get started? Or have you always had an idea or a topic you want to present but you wanted some guidance or advice on some part of the process (abstract writing, presentation creation, or just public speaking itself)? Well then this workshop is for you!
In this full day workshop we will break down conference presentations into 5 actionable steps, guide participants through each of those (all the way from ideation and picking the right topic, through to actually getting an opportunity to present your new talk for the first time!) and leave everyone with a framework they can use over and over again. We’ll provide guidelines and tips for defining your topic, writing your abstract, how to find the right conference/space for your talk, creating your presentation, and for giving your talk. These guidelines will be utilized hands-on in the workshop to create a short presentation which you’ll then have the opportunity to present a 5-10 minute version of our talk on Day 2 of the Targeting Quality conference, as a lightning talk, allowing everyone to practice their new skills and gain experience in a safe and collaborative space.
Talking at a conference can seem daunting, but through this workshop we’ll show you how approachable it can actually be. You have valuable insights to share with the community (and the world) and we’ll work together to bring those to light!
Key Takeaways:
- Guidelines and tips for:
- Picking a talk topic & choosing a title
- Writing an abstract
- Finding a target audience/event
- Creating a presentation
- Presenting a talk at a conference
- An abstract and presentation for your first conference talk
- An opportunity to perform that talk on Day 2 of Targeting Quality
What should attendees bring?
- A laptop is required for the workshop
- Ideas of speaking topics to explore during the workshop
Bios:
Bailey Hanna is a Quality Team Lead at OCAS based out of Guelph, Ontario. She has been an active member of the testing community for a number of years, working to expand her knowledge and learn from others in the software industry. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Kitchener Waterloo Software Quality Association, where she enjoys the opportunity to give back to and grow her local testing community. Her primary areas of passion and experience are context-driven exploratory testing, test strategy and the improvement or development of solid team processes. Through her path into and through testing, she’s learned a lot about good practices, and of course, bad ones, and looks forward to opportunities to share these learnings with others.
Tina is an Engineering Director at SkillsWave who brings a software quality-focused mindset to the teams and projects she leads. She’s also a Director on the KWSQA Board, an occasional conference speaker, and a bit obsessed with her vegetable garden. Find her online at @fletchertinam or tinafletcher.ca.