Talk given at Japan Symposium on Software Testing 2023 Abstract: Have you ever observed quality problems with what your team is delivering? Have you ever felt your team is learning about the actual status quo late, too late to include these insights in your next steps? Have you ever wondered how to influence change when you’re “just” a specialist on the team, maybe even felt powerless? I’ve mostly worked with people who never experienced effective collaboration across roles and specialties. How to get such a team to move toward testing throughout the delivery workflow from idea to production, on all kinds of levels, for all parts of the product, by the whole team? How to consider quality from the start and have it continuously inform our decision-making? Over the years, I’ve built a repertoire of tactics to help teams transform toward holistic testing and quality. They range from meeting people where they are to creating guidelines, pairing and many others. It’s a toolbox of approaches to try out and find the sweet spot where people start moving toward better directions together. These tactics are fallible, not all of them work in all contexts, and yet they have helped my teams get to a better place. Join this talk to get inspired to take things into your hands. Learn what you can try yourself in your context to help your team make the first steps on your journey towards holistic testing and quality. Key learnings: - Learn how you can influence team culture, no matter your role or experience level - Add team transformation tactics to your toolbox of approaches to try - Understand the many ways we can move towards holistic testing and quality

1. TEAM TRANSFORMATION TACTICS
FOR HOLISTIC TESTING AND QUALITY LISI HOCKE
@lisihocke

2. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke

3. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience

4. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience
Inspired by countless people

5. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Inspired by countless people

6. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Inspired by countless people

7. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Tactics for winning as team
Inspired by countless people

8. DISCLAIMER
@lisihocke
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Tactics for winning as team
Teams transformed themselves
Inspired by countless people

9. AGENDA
@lisihocke
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step

10. AGENDA
@lisihocke
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step

11. AGENDA
@lisihocke
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step

12. AGENDA
@lisihocke
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step

13. AGENDA
@lisihocke
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step

14. HOLISTIC TESTING
AND QUALITY
WHY EVEN
BOTHER?
@lisihocke

15. HOLISTIC?
@lisihocke

16. HOLISTIC?
@lisihocke
All the time

17. HOLISTIC?
@lisihocke
All the time
Everywhere

18. HOLISTIC?
@lisihocke
All the time
Everywhere
Everything

19. HOLISTIC?
@lisihocke
All the time
Everywhere
By everyone
Everything

20. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
@lisihocke

21. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
@lisihocke
Product development teams

22. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
@lisihocke
Product development teams
Cross-functional

23. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
@lisihocke
Product development teams
Cross-functional
Embedded hands-on

24. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke

25. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery

26. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication

27. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking

28. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers

29. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding

30. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Lack of safety & trust

31. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Lack of safety & trust

32. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame Inaction
Lack of safety & trust

33. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame Inaction
Lack of safety & trust
Lack of transparency

34. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame Inaction
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency

35. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame Inaction
Knowledge silos
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency

36. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
@lisihocke
Poor delivery Limited communication
Expert role thinking Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame Inaction
Knowledge silos … and many more
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency

37. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke

38. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access

39. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills

40. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience

41. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery

42. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability

43. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation

44. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support

45. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment

46. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding

47. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better relationships

48. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better quality outcome
Better relationships

49. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
@lisihocke
Inclusion and access Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better quality outcome
Better relationships
Stronger team

50. THE TEAM’S STARTING POINT KNOW WHAT
YOU CAN EXPECT
@lisihocke

51. A NOTE ON POWER & INFLUENCE
@lisihocke
Power bases
(French & Raven)
https://bit.ly/power-bases
Impact over
intention
https://bit.ly/impact-over-intention

52. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke

53. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke
Changes takes time

54. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it

55. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow

56. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow
It might not be the right time yet

57. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
@lisihocke
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow
It might not be the right time yet
Setbacks are a given

58. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
@lisihocke

59. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
@lisihocke
Context matters

60. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
@lisihocke
Context matters
Look for pain points, needs, concerns, fears, wishes

61. PICK YOUR BATTLES
@lisihocke

62. PICK YOUR BATTLES
@lisihocke
Focus with impact in mind

63. PICK YOUR BATTLES
@lisihocke
Focus with impact in mind
Preserve your energy

64. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
@lisihocke

65. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
@lisihocke
We can only change ourselves

66. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
@lisihocke
We can only change ourselves
Take courage and take action

67. A TOOLBOX OF TACTICS CHOICE
SELECTION
@lisihocke

68. WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
@lisihocke
1. People first
2. Meet people where they are
3. Show, don’t tell
4. Make sharing the default
5. Build on existing energies
6. Optimize for flow
7. A bit better every day
8. Change the narrative
9. Build resilience in
10. Work through conflict
11. Make space for everyone
12. Optimism goes a long way
(Here’s room for more)

69. PEOPLE FIRST
@lisihocke
1

70. PEOPLE FIRST
@lisihocke
Show curiosity to foster relationships
1

71. PEOPLE FIRST
@lisihocke
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
1

72. PEOPLE FIRST
@lisihocke
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
Contribute hands-on to build trust
1

73. PEOPLE FIRST
@lisihocke
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
Contribute hands-on to build trust
Help and ask for help
1

74. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
@lisihocke
2

75. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
@lisihocke
Don’t assume, learn
2

76. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
@lisihocke
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
2

77. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
@lisihocke
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
Work where they work
2

78. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
@lisihocke
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
Work where they work
Accept they can only
go at their own pace
2

79. SHOW, DON’T TELL
@lisihocke
3

80. SHOW, DON’T TELL
@lisihocke
Let people experience it
3

81. SHOW, DON’T TELL
@lisihocke
Let people experience it
Encourage to experiment
3

82. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
4

83. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
Share access
4

84. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
Share access
Share knowledge
4

85. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
4

86. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
Share pain
4

87. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
@lisihocke
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
Share pain
4
Share credit

88. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
@lisihocke
5

89. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
@lisihocke
Shape the system
5

90. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
@lisihocke
Piggyback on existing practices
Shape the system
5

91. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
@lisihocke
Piggyback on existing practices
Shape the system
Build on intrinsic motivation
5

92. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
@lisihocke
6

93. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
@lisihocke
Discover faster ways to collaborate
6

94. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
@lisihocke
Discover faster ways to collaborate
Stop starting, start finishing
6

95. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
@lisihocke
Discover faster ways to collaborate
Stop starting, start finishing
Slow down to go fast
6

96. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY
@lisihocke
7

97. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY
@lisihocke
Be okay with good enough
7

98. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY
@lisihocke
Be okay with good enough
Take tiny steps
7

99. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
@lisihocke
8

100. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
@lisihocke
Reframe the situation
8

101. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
@lisihocke
Reframe the situation
Tell it into existence
8

102. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
@lisihocke
9

103. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
@lisihocke
Focus on enabling
9

104. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
@lisihocke
Focus on enabling
Refrain from solo work
9

105. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
@lisihocke
Focus on enabling
Refrain from solo work
Go away to test it out
9

106. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT
@lisihocke
10

107. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT
@lisihocke
Put the fish on the table before it rots
10

108. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT
@lisihocke
Put the fish on the table before it rots
Don’t assume, ask
10

109. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
@lisihocke
11

110. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
@lisihocke
Cater to people’s needs
11

111. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
@lisihocke
Cater to people’s needs
11
Hear all voices

112. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
@lisihocke
Cater to people’s needs
Opt for joint decisions that get lived
11
Hear all voices

113. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY
@lisihocke
12

114. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY
@lisihocke
Radiate confidence we can figure this out together
12

115. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY
@lisihocke
Radiate confidence we can figure this out together
Celebrate all the things
12

116. MY TOOLBOX OF TACTICS
@lisihocke
1. People first
2. Meet people where they are
3. Show, don’t tell
4. Make sharing the default
5. Build on existing energies
6. Optimize for flow
7. A bit better every day
8. Change the narrative
9. Build resilience in
10. Work through conflict
11. Make space for everyone
12. Optimism goes a long way
(Here’s room for more)

117. SO WHAT ABOUT TESTING AND QUALITY?
@lisihocke

118. SO WHAT ABOUT TESTING AND QUALITY?
@lisihocke
Team culture is the foundation for everything

119. THE NEXT STEP OVER TO YOU
@lisihocke

120. GET STARTED WITH A FIRST STEP
@lisihocke

121. BUILD YOUR OWN TOOLBOX AS YOU GO
@lisihocke

122. WE’RE NOT ALONE ON THIS JOURNEY
@lisihocke

123. THANK YOU! www.lisihocke.com
@lisihocke
Together we can move the world, step by step

124. THANK YOU! www.lisihocke.com
@lisihocke
Together we can move the world, step by step
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