The document discusses the challenges and strategies for testing small agile projects, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and efficient use of time. It highlights that small projects, though seemingly easier, can present unique difficulties and offers a mantra for improvement through consistent testing. Additionally, it identifies obstacles such as politics and micromanagement that can impede progress in small project environments.

1. Testing Small
Agile Projects
Lanette Creamer, Silicon Publishing Inc.

2. Background
www.linkedin.com/in/lanettec/
Silicon Publishing Inc.
LanetteCreamer@siliconpublishing.com
Based in Seattle
Lanette Creamer
Director of Quality

3. Agenda
•What do you mean by small?
•Small Projects as Change
•3-9 Month Projects
•9-12 Week Projects
•5-8 Week Projects
•2-4 Week Projects
•<2 Weeks
•Conclusion, Q&A!

4. What do you mean by small?*
*Largest & Smallest Horse Variation Currently Available on Earth

5. Change
A slightly smaller project can be
more difficult than a project that is
severely smaller.

6. Change
What’s changed?
When did it change?
Who’s responsible for the change?
Change is expected.

7. Faster (than what?)
Faster than EVER before!
Not for Me! This Sucks.

8. How do we go faster?

9. How Sane is Sane Enough?
Tool: Jenkins* (or other CI)
Why: You alone can not be the
single point of testing. Single point
of fixes is also a big issue.
*This is not just a testing tool

10. To go faster, remember to KISS

11. 9-12 weeks

12. 5-8 weeks

13. 5-8 weeks OMG you’ve grown!

14. 2-4 weeks

15. Under 2 weeks

16. Smaller than Weeks?

17. Small Project Mantra
We must, we must, we must
increase our trust!

18. But what if you have LOTS of small projects?

19. Feeling a little overwhelmed?

20. The Gift of Time
“All we have to decide is what to
do with the time that is given to
us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring 1954

21. Testing is fun! Even in small bites.

22. Obstacles to Small Projects
Politics (Precedence, Posturing)
Micromanaging (Meetings, Metrics)
Status (Structure, Silence)
“Avoid painful PMS.”-Lanette Creamer

23. When it must be small

24. Creamer’s Agile Thought
Ask “What can I test today to make
tomorrow better.”
Lanette’s Testing Mantra
Learned from Small Projects 2011-2014

25. References
• Pencil Carvings by Mizuta Tasogare and Kato Jado
• Lord’s Prayer Pins by A. Schiller
• Needle Microsculpture by Willard Wigan http://willard-wigan.com/

26. Slide Analytics
0"
2"
4"
6"
8"
10"
12"
14"
WW"
Chipmunk"
Gnomes"
Horses"
Turtles"
Snails"
Shark"
Velociraptor"
Squirrels"
Deer"
Cats"
Monkeys"
Cake"
Pencil"Art"
Pin"
Microdonuts"
Emo"Snowmen"
Snowcone"
Photo%Content%Breakdown% Photo%Content%by%Type%
Vegetarian)Food)
Bear)Grylls)Food)
Animals)
Maximum Cat Density
44%
Total Cats as % of Animals
31%

27. Q & A
Lanette Creamer
siliconpublishing.com
Director of Quality