Do we really need game testers in development teams? What is it that defines the core competence of a tester, and does this competence add any value to the development team?
Exploratory Testing: Make It Part of Your Test StrategyTechWell
Developers often have the unfortunate distinction of not thoroughly testing their code. It’s not that developers do not understand how to test well; it’s just that often they have not had an opportunity to understand how the product works. Kevin Dunne maintains that implementing a team-wide exploratory testing initiative can help build the collaboration and knowledge sharing needed to elevate all team members to the level of product master. Exploratory testing can be performed by anyone, but the real challenge is making sure that the process is properly managed, documented, and optimized. Kevin describes the tools necessary to drive a deeper understanding of software quality and to implement an effective and impactful exploratory testing practice. Creating better software is not just about writing code more accurately and efficiently; it is about delivering value to the end user. Well-executed exploratory testing helps unlock this capability across the entire development team.
Reduce Development Cost with Test Driven Developmentsthicks14
A collaboration between NetServ Applications and Celtic Testing Experts on Test Driven Development and Design. This presentation demonstrates how an organization can reduce development cost by implementing TDD.
Do we really need game testers in development teams? What is it that defines the core competence of a tester, and does this competence add any value to the development team?
Exploratory Testing: Make It Part of Your Test StrategyTechWell
Developers often have the unfortunate distinction of not thoroughly testing their code. It’s not that developers do not understand how to test well; it’s just that often they have not had an opportunity to understand how the product works. Kevin Dunne maintains that implementing a team-wide exploratory testing initiative can help build the collaboration and knowledge sharing needed to elevate all team members to the level of product master. Exploratory testing can be performed by anyone, but the real challenge is making sure that the process is properly managed, documented, and optimized. Kevin describes the tools necessary to drive a deeper understanding of software quality and to implement an effective and impactful exploratory testing practice. Creating better software is not just about writing code more accurately and efficiently; it is about delivering value to the end user. Well-executed exploratory testing helps unlock this capability across the entire development team.
Reduce Development Cost with Test Driven Developmentsthicks14
A collaboration between NetServ Applications and Celtic Testing Experts on Test Driven Development and Design. This presentation demonstrates how an organization can reduce development cost by implementing TDD.
Darshan Desai - Virtual Test Labs,The Next Frontier - EuroSTAR 2010TEST Huddle
EuroSTAR Software Testing Conference 2010 presentation on Virtual Test Labs,The Next Frontier by Darshan Desai.
See more at: http://conference.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/past-presentations/
Test automation has many advantages. It is a useful but imperfect practice with limitations that are hard to anticipate in a new project. There are many questions that teams find themselves asking throughout a project’s lifecycle:
- How do I get started?
- What should I automate?
- How do I collect the data?
- How do I run my tests when no one is around?
- Do I always need to run all of my tests?
- Do I need to keep my tests forever?
- Where does automation fit in the cadence of the team?
In this session we’ll discuss these question and some additional practical lessons learned from several years of building solutions that leverage test automation in both large and small environments.
Most of the people might say that software test engineers do not write code. Testers normally need completely different skill set which could be a mix of Java, C, Ruby, and Python.
That is not all you require to be a successful tester. A tester requires having a good knowledge of the software manuals and automation tools.
Depending on the complexity of a project, a software testing engineer may write more complicated code than the developer.
Why communicated deadlines will always lead to bad quality, and why you should never communicate deadlines if you are working according to Agile values.
This presentation aims of covering all the issues related to PAIR-TESTING , a module of SOFTWARE TESTING PARADIGM. I would like to thanks all my friends and mentors for bringing up this presentation in such a good and effective way.
Test reporting is something few testers take time to practice. Nevertheless, it's a fundamental skill—vital for your professional credibility and your own self management. Many people think management judges testing by bugs found or test cases executed. Actually, testing is judged by the story it tells. If your story sounds good, you win. A test report is the story of your testing. It begins as the story we tell ourselves, each moment we are testing, about what we are doing and why. We use the test story within our own minds, to guide our work. James Bach explores the skill of test reporting and examines some of the many different forms a test report might take. As in other areas of testing, context drives good reporting. Sometimes we make an oral report; occasionally we need to write it down. Join James for an in-depth look at the art of the reporting.
Deliver software with fewer defects by simply tracking the 12 key performance indicators included in this list. Matt Angerer, Senior Solution Architect at ResultsPositive, has curated a list of the most important KPI's for your testing and quality assurance professionals.
A Rapid Introduction to Rapid Software TestingTechWell
You're under tight time pressure and have barely enough information to proceed with testing. How do you test quickly and inexpensively, yet still produce informative, credible, and accountable results? Rapid Software Testing, adopted by context-driven testers worldwide, offers a field-proven answer to this all-too-common dilemma. In this one-day sampler of the approach, Michael Bolton introduces you to the skills and practice of Rapid Software Testing through stories, discussions, and "minds-on" exercises that simulate important aspects of real testing problems. The rapid approach isn't just testing with speed or a sense of urgency; it's mission-focused testing that eliminates unnecessary work, assures that the most important things get done, and constantly asks how testers can help speed up the successful completion of the project. Join Michael to see how rapid testing focuses on both the mind set and skill set of the individual tester who uses tight loops of exploration and critical thinking skills to help continuously re-optimize testing to match clients' needs and expectations.
How much information should your test cases (or test missions, charters, or other types or similar test artifacts) include? What are the pros and cons of adding lots of detailed information in your test cases? These are questions I will discuss in this article, based on my experience with testing.
Darshan Desai - Virtual Test Labs,The Next Frontier - EuroSTAR 2010TEST Huddle
EuroSTAR Software Testing Conference 2010 presentation on Virtual Test Labs,The Next Frontier by Darshan Desai.
See more at: http://conference.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/past-presentations/
Test automation has many advantages. It is a useful but imperfect practice with limitations that are hard to anticipate in a new project. There are many questions that teams find themselves asking throughout a project’s lifecycle:
- How do I get started?
- What should I automate?
- How do I collect the data?
- How do I run my tests when no one is around?
- Do I always need to run all of my tests?
- Do I need to keep my tests forever?
- Where does automation fit in the cadence of the team?
In this session we’ll discuss these question and some additional practical lessons learned from several years of building solutions that leverage test automation in both large and small environments.
Most of the people might say that software test engineers do not write code. Testers normally need completely different skill set which could be a mix of Java, C, Ruby, and Python.
That is not all you require to be a successful tester. A tester requires having a good knowledge of the software manuals and automation tools.
Depending on the complexity of a project, a software testing engineer may write more complicated code than the developer.
Why communicated deadlines will always lead to bad quality, and why you should never communicate deadlines if you are working according to Agile values.
This presentation aims of covering all the issues related to PAIR-TESTING , a module of SOFTWARE TESTING PARADIGM. I would like to thanks all my friends and mentors for bringing up this presentation in such a good and effective way.
Test reporting is something few testers take time to practice. Nevertheless, it's a fundamental skill—vital for your professional credibility and your own self management. Many people think management judges testing by bugs found or test cases executed. Actually, testing is judged by the story it tells. If your story sounds good, you win. A test report is the story of your testing. It begins as the story we tell ourselves, each moment we are testing, about what we are doing and why. We use the test story within our own minds, to guide our work. James Bach explores the skill of test reporting and examines some of the many different forms a test report might take. As in other areas of testing, context drives good reporting. Sometimes we make an oral report; occasionally we need to write it down. Join James for an in-depth look at the art of the reporting.
Deliver software with fewer defects by simply tracking the 12 key performance indicators included in this list. Matt Angerer, Senior Solution Architect at ResultsPositive, has curated a list of the most important KPI's for your testing and quality assurance professionals.
A Rapid Introduction to Rapid Software TestingTechWell
You're under tight time pressure and have barely enough information to proceed with testing. How do you test quickly and inexpensively, yet still produce informative, credible, and accountable results? Rapid Software Testing, adopted by context-driven testers worldwide, offers a field-proven answer to this all-too-common dilemma. In this one-day sampler of the approach, Michael Bolton introduces you to the skills and practice of Rapid Software Testing through stories, discussions, and "minds-on" exercises that simulate important aspects of real testing problems. The rapid approach isn't just testing with speed or a sense of urgency; it's mission-focused testing that eliminates unnecessary work, assures that the most important things get done, and constantly asks how testers can help speed up the successful completion of the project. Join Michael to see how rapid testing focuses on both the mind set and skill set of the individual tester who uses tight loops of exploration and critical thinking skills to help continuously re-optimize testing to match clients' needs and expectations.
How much information should your test cases (or test missions, charters, or other types or similar test artifacts) include? What are the pros and cons of adding lots of detailed information in your test cases? These are questions I will discuss in this article, based on my experience with testing.
How do we define quality in games, and what does it actually mean in practice? In this article I will discuss which definition of quality I prefer, and begin to explore how I apply that definition to games.
This presentation is a theoretical overview of the differences between normal software testing and game testing, based on my experience within software testing, and my limited experience within game testing
This presentation outlines my views on why and how you should give feedback in a Scrum Team
Feedback is a critical tool in growing the self-organizing and genuine team
Presentation about how to start performing exploratory testing as a developer. Very basic and simple, and very streamlined. Should be the start for a developer who has not tested before.
In this article I will explore why I think that deadlines should never be communicated to the development teams, and why all deadlines are basically meaningless anyway.
This presentation is a quick introduction to software testing and game testing. It should be used as a starting point, and links have been provided for further reading.
This whitepaper teaches you how to successfully use bug reports, surveys, feature requests, and other feedback types to collect and manage high-quality feedback during a beta test.
The Leaders Guide to Getting Started with Automated TestingJames Briers
Conventional testing is yesterday’s news, is required but needs the same overhaul that has happened in development. It needs to be a slicker operation that really identifies the risk associated with release and protects the business from serious system failure. The only way to achieve this is to remove the humans, they are prone to error, take a long time, cost a lot of money and don’t always do what they are told.
Automation needs to be adopted as a total process, not a bit part player. Historically automation has focussed on the User Interface, which can be a start, but is often woefully lacking. Implementing an Automation Eco-System, sees automation drive through to the interface or service layer, enabling far higher reuse of automated scripts, encompasses the environment and the test data within it’s strategy, providing a robust, repeatable and reusable asset.
Don’t just automate the obvious. Automation is not a black box testing technique. Rather it is mirroring the development and building an exercise schedule for the code. Take your testing to the next level and realise the real benefits of a modern Automation Eco-system.
This paper describes the different techniques of testing the software. This paper explicitly addresses the idea for testability and the important thing is that the testing itself-not just by saying that testability is a desirable goal, but by showing how to do it. Software testing is the process we used to measure the quality of developed software. Software Testing is not just about error-finding and their solution but also about checking the client requirements and testing that those requirements are met by the software solution. It is the most important functional phase in the Software Development Life Cycle(SDLC) as it exhibits all mistakes, flaws and errors in the developed software. Without finding these errors, technically termed as ‘bugs,’ software development is not considered to be complete. Hence, software testing becomes an important parameter for assuring quality of the software product. We discuss here about when to start and when to stop the testing of software. How errors or Bugs are formed and rectified. How software testing is done i.e. with the help of Team Work.
JIMS Vasant KunjII is the Top institute for BCA. JIMS is one of the Best BCA Colleges in Delhi which offers best placements in Top IT Companies in Delhi NCR. It is amongst the top A+ Category highest ranked colleges in Delhi, provides 3 years Regular Degree from UGC Approved University.
This unit of Software Testing is a part of BCA 5th sem syllabi.
UNIT-I
Review of Software Engineering: Overview of software evolution, SDLC, Testing Process, Terminologies in
Testing: Error, Fault, Failure, Verification, Validation, Difference between Verification and Validation,
Test Cases, Testing Suite, Test Oracles, Impracticality of Testing All data; Impracticality of testing All
Paths. Verification: Verification methods, SRS verification, Source code reviews, User documentation
verification, and Software project audit, Tailoring Software Quality Assurance Program by Reviews,
Walkthrough, Inspection, and Configuration Audits.
UNIT–II (8)
Functional Testing: Boundary Value Analysis, Equivalence Class Testing, Decision Table Based Testing, Cause
Effect Graphing Technique. Structural Testing: Control flow testing, Path testing, Independent paths, Generation
of graph from program, Identification of independent paths, Cyclomatic Complexity, Data Flow Testing,
Mutation Testing.
UNIT-III (8)
Regression Testing: What is Regression Testing? Regression Test cases selection, reducing the number of test
cases, Code coverage prioritization technique. Reducing the number of test cases: Prioritization guidelines,
Priority category, Scheme, Risk Analysis.
Approaches to unraveling a complex test problemJohan Hoberg
When testing a complex system you are often faced with complex test problems. Cause and effect cannot be deduced in advance, only in retrospect.
According to the Cynefin framework, the general approach to tackle complexity is probe-sense-respond. Try something, analyze the outcome, and based on that outcome, try something else. This is the basis of all my approaches to begin unraveling complex test problems. But how do I select my test scope for a specific complex test problem?
In this article I outline why I believe it should not be mandatory for all code changes to go through QA before they are merged to a master branch and released.
Quality Information Coverage - A QI ConceptJohan Hoberg
When I talk about Quality Intelligence, an important part of the QI concept is transparency and visibility. Providing the right quality intelligence to the right stakeholders at the right time. When doing this I find it valuable to talk about “Quality Information Coverage”, a concept which I am going to expand on in this article.
The Bug Backlog - An Evergrowing MountainJohan Hoberg
If you are part of a development team working on a game, and you are working in some kind of Agile way, you most likely have a bug backlog, or at least bugs as part of some kind of backlog. The bug backlog looks very different during different stages of the game development cycle - it starts out empty, and then as features and complexity is added, it grows. And in most cases it never stops growing.
One of the most important aspects of Quality Intelligence is transparency and visibility. Intelligence is worthless if it does not affect the decision-making process in some way. If the intelligence is not available to the people involved in the decision-making process, then it will have no effect.
Quality Intelligence - what does the term stand for in theory and in practice? This is a follow up to my previous presentation about why I think QI should replace QA as the acronym of choice.
This presentation outlines principles and thoughts that guide me in my pursuit of creating high quality complex software
I will also try to give concrete examples at the end of the presentation of what this looks like in practice
When dealing with complexity you have to be aware of that cause and effect can only be deduced in retrospect. With this in mind, success or failure, is not completely in our hands when we are developing complex products. What is in our hands is the commitment we show, the ownership we take, and the effort we put in. That is what we should celebrate.
Moving from scripted regression testing to exploratory testingJohan Hoberg
An article I wrote for the King Tech Blog about our move from scripted to exploratory testing.
https://techblog.king.com/moving-from-scripted-regression-testing-to-exploratory-testing/
In this article I will explore what I believe is a good foundation for building high quality software. I will cover a wide array of different topics which have in common that I believe they all contribute to this goal.
Harnessing WebAssembly for Real-time Stateless Streaming PipelinesChristina Lin
Traditionally, dealing with real-time data pipelines has involved significant overhead, even for straightforward tasks like data transformation or masking. However, in this talk, we’ll venture into the dynamic realm of WebAssembly (WASM) and discover how it can revolutionize the creation of stateless streaming pipelines within a Kafka (Redpanda) broker. These pipelines are adept at managing low-latency, high-data-volume scenarios.
CW RADAR, FMCW RADAR, FMCW ALTIMETER, AND THEIR PARAMETERSveerababupersonal22
It consists of cw radar and fmcw radar ,range measurement,if amplifier and fmcw altimeterThe CW radar operates using continuous wave transmission, while the FMCW radar employs frequency-modulated continuous wave technology. Range measurement is a crucial aspect of radar systems, providing information about the distance to a target. The IF amplifier plays a key role in signal processing, amplifying intermediate frequency signals for further analysis. The FMCW altimeter utilizes frequency-modulated continuous wave technology to accurately measure altitude above a reference point.
6th International Conference on Machine Learning & Applications (CMLA 2024)ClaraZara1
6th International Conference on Machine Learning & Applications (CMLA 2024) will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and results in theory, methodology and applications of on Machine Learning & Applications.
Hybrid optimization of pumped hydro system and solar- Engr. Abdul-Azeez.pdffxintegritypublishin
Advancements in technology unveil a myriad of electrical and electronic breakthroughs geared towards efficiently harnessing limited resources to meet human energy demands. The optimization of hybrid solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems plays a pivotal role in utilizing natural resources effectively. This initiative not only benefits humanity but also fosters environmental sustainability. The study investigated the design optimization of these hybrid systems, focusing on understanding solar radiation patterns, identifying geographical influences on solar radiation, formulating a mathematical model for system optimization, and determining the optimal configuration of PV panels and pumped hydro storage. Through a comparative analysis approach and eight weeks of data collection, the study addressed key research questions related to solar radiation patterns and optimal system design. The findings highlighted regions with heightened solar radiation levels, showcasing substantial potential for power generation and emphasizing the system's efficiency. Optimizing system design significantly boosted power generation, promoted renewable energy utilization, and enhanced energy storage capacity. The study underscored the benefits of optimizing hybrid solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems for sustainable energy usage. Optimizing the design of solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems as examined across diverse climatic conditions in a developing country, not only enhances power generation but also improves the integration of renewable energy sources and boosts energy storage capacities, particularly beneficial for less economically prosperous regions. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights for advancing energy research in economically viable areas. Recommendations included conducting site-specific assessments, utilizing advanced modeling tools, implementing regular maintenance protocols, and enhancing communication among system components.
Final project report on grocery store management system..pdfKamal Acharya
In today’s fast-changing business environment, it’s extremely important to be able to respond to client needs in the most effective and timely manner. If your customers wish to see your business online and have instant access to your products or services.
Online Grocery Store is an e-commerce website, which retails various grocery products. This project allows viewing various products available enables registered users to purchase desired products instantly using Paytm, UPI payment processor (Instant Pay) and also can place order by using Cash on Delivery (Pay Later) option. This project provides an easy access to Administrators and Managers to view orders placed using Pay Later and Instant Pay options.
In order to develop an e-commerce website, a number of Technologies must be studied and understood. These include multi-tiered architecture, server and client-side scripting techniques, implementation technologies, programming language (such as PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and MySQL relational databases. This is a project with the objective to develop a basic website where a consumer is provided with a shopping cart website and also to know about the technologies used to develop such a website.
This document will discuss each of the underlying technologies to create and implement an e- commerce website.
NO1 Uk best vashikaran specialist in delhi vashikaran baba near me online vas...Amil Baba Dawood bangali
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#vashikaranspecialist #astrologer #palmistry #amliyaat #taweez #manpasandshadi #horoscope #spiritual #lovelife #lovespell #marriagespell#aamilbabainpakistan #amilbabainkarachi #powerfullblackmagicspell #kalajadumantarspecialist #realamilbaba #AmilbabainPakistan #astrologerincanada #astrologerindubai #lovespellsmaster #kalajaduspecialist #lovespellsthatwork #aamilbabainlahore#blackmagicformarriage #aamilbaba #kalajadu #kalailam #taweez #wazifaexpert #jadumantar #vashikaranspecialist #astrologer #palmistry #amliyaat #taweez #manpasandshadi #horoscope #spiritual #lovelife #lovespell #marriagespell#aamilbabainpakistan #amilbabainkarachi #powerfullblackmagicspell #kalajadumantarspecialist #realamilbaba #AmilbabainPakistan #astrologerincanada #astrologerindubai #lovespellsmaster #kalajaduspecialist #lovespellsthatwork #aamilbabainlahore #blackmagicforlove #blackmagicformarriage #aamilbaba #kalajadu #kalailam #taweez #wazifaexpert #jadumantar #vashikaranspecialist #astrologer #palmistry #amliyaat #taweez #manpasandshadi #horoscope #spiritual #lovelife #lovespell #marriagespell#aamilbabainpakistan #amilbabainkarachi #powerfullblackmagicspell #kalajadumantarspecialist #realamilbaba #AmilbabainPakistan #astrologerincanada #astrologerindubai #lovespellsmaster #kalajaduspecialist #lovespellsthatwork #aamilbabainlahore #Amilbabainuk #amilbabainspain #amilbabaindubai #Amilbabainnorway #amilbabainkrachi #amilbabainlahore #amilbabaingujranwalan #amilbabainislamabad
Sachpazis:Terzaghi Bearing Capacity Estimation in simple terms with Calculati...Dr.Costas Sachpazis
Terzaghi's soil bearing capacity theory, developed by Karl Terzaghi, is a fundamental principle in geotechnical engineering used to determine the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. This theory provides a method to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of soil, which is the maximum load per unit area that the soil can support without undergoing shear failure. The Calculation HTML Code included.
Immunizing Image Classifiers Against Localized Adversary Attacksgerogepatton
This paper addresses the vulnerability of deep learning models, particularly convolutional neural networks
(CNN)s, to adversarial attacks and presents a proactive training technique designed to counter them. We
introduce a novel volumization algorithm, which transforms 2D images into 3D volumetric representations.
When combined with 3D convolution and deep curriculum learning optimization (CLO), itsignificantly improves
the immunity of models against localized universal attacks by up to 40%. We evaluate our proposed approach
using contemporary CNN architectures and the modified Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR-10
and CIFAR-100) and ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge (ILSVRC12) datasets, showcasing
accuracy improvements over previous techniques. The results indicate that the combination of the volumetric
input and curriculum learning holds significant promise for mitigating adversarial attacks without necessitating
adversary training.
Hierarchical Digital Twin of a Naval Power SystemKerry Sado
A hierarchical digital twin of a Naval DC power system has been developed and experimentally verified. Similar to other state-of-the-art digital twins, this technology creates a digital replica of the physical system executed in real-time or faster, which can modify hardware controls. However, its advantage stems from distributing computational efforts by utilizing a hierarchical structure composed of lower-level digital twin blocks and a higher-level system digital twin. Each digital twin block is associated with a physical subsystem of the hardware and communicates with a singular system digital twin, which creates a system-level response. By extracting information from each level of the hierarchy, power system controls of the hardware were reconfigured autonomously. This hierarchical digital twin development offers several advantages over other digital twins, particularly in the field of naval power systems. The hierarchical structure allows for greater computational efficiency and scalability while the ability to autonomously reconfigure hardware controls offers increased flexibility and responsiveness. The hierarchical decomposition and models utilized were well aligned with the physical twin, as indicated by the maximum deviations between the developed digital twin hierarchy and the hardware.
NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER IN CONDENSING HEAT EXCHANGERS...ssuser7dcef0
Power plants release a large amount of water vapor into the
atmosphere through the stack. The flue gas can be a potential
source for obtaining much needed cooling water for a power
plant. If a power plant could recover and reuse a portion of this
moisture, it could reduce its total cooling water intake
requirement. One of the most practical way to recover water
from flue gas is to use a condensing heat exchanger. The power
plant could also recover latent heat due to condensation as well
as sensible heat due to lowering the flue gas exit temperature.
Additionally, harmful acids released from the stack can be
reduced in a condensing heat exchanger by acid condensation. reduced in a condensing heat exchanger by acid condensation.
Condensation of vapors in flue gas is a complicated
phenomenon since heat and mass transfer of water vapor and
various acids simultaneously occur in the presence of noncondensable
gases such as nitrogen and oxygen. Design of a
condenser depends on the knowledge and understanding of the
heat and mass transfer processes. A computer program for
numerical simulations of water (H2O) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
condensation in a flue gas condensing heat exchanger was
developed using MATLAB. Governing equations based on
mass and energy balances for the system were derived to
predict variables such as flue gas exit temperature, cooling
water outlet temperature, mole fraction and condensation rates
of water and sulfuric acid vapors. The equations were solved
using an iterative solution technique with calculations of heat
and mass transfer coefficients and physical properties.
Forklift Classes Overview by Intella PartsIntella Parts
Discover the different forklift classes and their specific applications. Learn how to choose the right forklift for your needs to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance in your operations.
For more technical information, visit our website https://intellaparts.com
1. How a Game Tester Adds Value
How does a professional game tester add value to a game development studio?
Can you measure this value in a good way? I will try to give my view on this
subject. I am specifically talking about value added that is part of the tester role.
Obviously anyone can add value outside of their specific role – such as bringing
coffee to people, or just performing tasks that are not specific to their role.
First an overview of how I think a game tester adds value:
Finding and reporting defects in the game
Providing support to developers
o Help developing Acceptance Criteria
o Support with test knowledge
o Provide test environment for developers
o Test Automation
o Drive testability in implementation
Provide test information & knowledge to stakeholders
Certification / Mandatory testing
Game design / Fun factor / Balancing / Realism input
Finding and reporting defects in the game
A game tester’s primary function is generally to find defects or questionable
design decisions in the game. This defect is then reported, in a written artifact or
verbally, to someone who can make a decision regarding that defect. A game
developer, artist, or other role can then, depending on a host of different factors,
fix the defect.
With good enough historical data, metrics and understanding of the users, the
value of the absence of the defect in the game can then be evaluated. This is a
clear value add that the game tester brings to the table.
But there are additional factors to consider before celebrating the value of
testers. A defect requires analysis, and the tester provides the basis for this
analysis. If the defect report is of low quality, then suddenly the tester is adding
to the analysis cost. This can be mitigated by securing that a proper defect
management process is in place, and that the tester knows which information is
needed in the defect report.
2. We also have to consider that every defect submitted that is not fixed has an
analysis cost. This means that the only value a tester has created if ten defect
reports are submitted and none of them are fixed is some vague information
value, but the analysis cost of these ten issues is very real.
So for a tester to add real value the defects reported must provide the right
information, and also actually be fixed. This provides a dilemma. Should the
tester send defect reports of every single thing they find to the developers for
analysis? There probably needs to be some analysis triage before the defects
reach the developers to reduce unnecessary analysis cost. This triage could be
done by testers, but it could also be done by a stakeholder who can make a
decision if the defect should be fixed or not in the first place, before it is
analyzed. However there are of course risks introduced when not analyzing all
defects that are found.
Finally we cannot forget that the developer that fixes the defect also shares the
added value of the absence of the defect in the game. How much each role
contributes to the absence of the defect is probably difficult to assess.
Providing support to developers
A part from finding and reporting defects a tester can also provide valuable
support to developers in many different ways.
By creating Acceptance Criteria that are testable and understandable to all
stakeholders, the tester provides some value, which is hard to measure. Good
Acceptance Criteria bring clarity both to what developers should do, and to what
stakeholders actually want. A worst-case scenario with a lack of understanding
between stakeholders and developers could be very costly indeed. In a perfect
world these Acceptance Criteria can also be used directly as test artifacts, which
would free up the testers time to perform more valuable activities than creating
test cases, since test cases in themselves do not add any value.
A tester can also add value by supporting the developer with expertise to enable
better testing. Helping with test techniques and methods to improve the testing
performed by the developer. The value of this support is very hard to measure.
Providing a test environment for the developers to use is also something that
adds value. To the testers themselves this is a pre-requisite for their work, but
you could argue that this is a service they provide to the developers, which adds
value. The value can be calculated by evaluating how much time it would take for
the developers to set up and maintain a parallel test environment for themselves.
When I say test environment it can include a framework for automated testing.
Testers can also set up, maintain and run different automated test suites to
support continuous integration, and other automated test runs. Maintaining and
running automated tests have no inherent value in itself for a tester, but can be a
pre-requisite for allowing the tester to find defects and provide necessary
information to stakeholders. However there is a value in enabling continuous
3. integration, or other development practices that require automated tests. The
value add of this activity can be measured in the same way as for maintaining a
test environment for developers. How much would it cost for them to set it up
themselves?
Testability needs to be built into a game. This is something that a tester can drive
at early stages of the game development. By providing knowledge and expertise
the tester might get developers to build in testability that would otherwise be
forgotten. The value of this is quite hard to put a number on.
Provide test information & knowledge to stakeholders
Also something that is part of the core responsibility of a tester’s job. This can for
example be done in the form of a test report, an email, verbal communication, a
post-it, or something similar. I here separate between information and
information – defects are in a sense also test information, but I separated the two
for higher granularity.
So a tester performs a test activity, and submits relevant found defects. Usually
the tester also creates some kind of a report with regards to this test activity,
which is then sent to a stakeholder. Sometimes this report is consolidated with
other testers’ reports by a test lead or project manager. The report created by
the tester has information value.
What value the report actually has depends on the decisions based on that
report. If a stakeholder reads (or does not read) a report, and the report has no
impact what so ever on decisions, then the report holds little value. Some value,
but very little.
I have personally been in a situation were the project manager stated that he
only wanted a list of new defects, and did not care about the test report. Clearly
that report held no value, and I recommended to management that we should
stop writing that report.
Sometimes managers can feel more secure if they (think they) have control over
what is happening, even though they don’t take any decision based on the report.
Then the report has some personal value to the individual manager, but very
little to the company as a whole.
But even if the report is valuable to a stakeholder, it is hard to put that value into
numbers.
Certification / Mandatory testing
Sometimes there are mandatory tests that need to be executed to be able to
release a game. When there are tests that are mandatory to run for some reason,
then the tester is immediately providing value by just performing the tests. How
4. much value can easily be calculated by how much it would cost to outsource the
test execution to a third-party test house.
Game design / Fun Factor / Balancing / Realism input
A tester spends many hours playing a game. Building up experience with not
only a specific game, but with general game design principles. It would be a
waste not to utilize this experience.
Some parts of the game design are easier to add value in than others, for testers.
Balancing and difficulty level is something that a tester could easily evaluate
based on the many hours spent playing the game. At least relative balancing and
difficulty level between different components.
Depending on the tester’s other competencies, and available material on how
something should work, realism could also be evaluated.
A tester could also provide input on fun factor, but this is highly subjective unless
you have the right training in how to evaluate “fun”, I suppose.
Finally, based on the tester’s own game design competence, a tester could
provide input on the game design and how it works when implemented in the
game.
It seems like a waste not to use the fact that a tester spends so many hours
playing a game, and not gather feedback from the tester with regards to these
types of game design questions.
Obviously all of these things are very hard to measure the value of.
Conclusion
Of course there will always be other ways for a person in a game tester role to
add value to a company than the ones I described above, but I think these are the
main value contributing factors the game tester role brings to the table.
In this discussion we should not confuse a person with a role. A person probably
adds value in many ways – by being a team player, motivated co-worker, nice
person, part-time developer, part-time team leader, and so on – but in the role of
a game tester, what I have presented in this article is what I see as the major
value add to the company.
But how a game tester role adds value is of course not constant, and my view will
change over time, as the field changes and as I get new input that makes me
reconsider my standpoint.