This document discusses using improv as an analogy for software testing. It defines both improv and testing, noting their similarities in creating or evaluating something spontaneously through experimentation. It suggests following some basic rules can lead to more successful improv performances and testing, such as saying "yes, and", listening, avoiding negativity, knowing the environment, and having performance ideas. Overall, it presents improv as a novel way to think about testing and how certain improv principles can improve testing practices.

1. JESTER TESTER

2. Damian Synadinos
Email: dsynadinos@gmail.com
Twitter: @dsynadinos
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/damiansynadinos/
In person: “Hey, Damian”

3. What?
Why?
How?
Present some novel and notable
ways to think about testing
To help improve your testing
By using improv as an analogy
for testing

4. Shallow Agreement

5. Testing
The process of evaluating a product by
learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference.
-Bach & Bolton

6. Testing
The process of evaluating a product by
learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference.
-Bach & Bolton

7. The process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation.
-Oxford Dictionary
Improv(isation)

8. The process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation.
-Oxford Dictionary
Improv(isation)

9. Improv

11. Shallow Agreement

12. Improv is the process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation.
“Improvisation is making it up as you go along.”

13. Improv is the process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation.
“Improvisation is making it up as you go along.”

14. Testing is the process of evaluating a product
by learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference.
“Testing is making it up as you go along.”

15. Testing is the process of evaluating a product
by learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference.
“Testing is making it up as you go along.”

18. “Improvising on stage is obviously a little different –
the performers are trying to entertain an audience.”
Improv is the process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation
to entertain an audience.

19. “Testing supplies vital information about the product
to those who must make decisions about it.”
Testing is the process of evaluating a product
by learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference
to inform a customer.
“Testers light the way.”

20. Improv is the process of creating and performing
spontaneously, without preparation
to entertain an audience.
Testing is the process of evaluating a product
by learning about it through experimentation,
which includes to some degree: questioning,
study, modeling, observation and inference
to inform a customer.

21. “Rules!”
“Rules of thumb”
“Guidelines”
“Heuristics”
“Tips & Tricks”
“Following some simple, basic rules…will result in much
funnier, intelligent, and more interesting scenes.”
Rules!

22. “Rules!”
funnier, intelligent, and more interesting scenes
more entertaining to an audience
successful improv

23. “Rules!”
successful improv

24. Yes, And

25. Yes, And

27. Listen

28. Listen

30. No Driving

31. No Driving

33. Know the Environment

34. Know the Environment

36. Performance Ideas

37. Contemplate Death

38. Summary

39. Summary

40. Special thanks to:
• James Bach
• James Irving
• Jim Redpath
• Joe Beale
• Joseph Ours
• Matt Eakin
Thank you!