This year the theme was Ethical challenges faced by testers, once again James Bach was the Content Owner, Brian Osman and Richard Robinson were the Facilitators and 21 test leaders from New Zealand and Australia made up the attendees.
If you would like to know more detail about what was discussed, keep an eye on these people’s blogs: Brian Osman, James Bach, Aaron Hodder, Oliver Erlewein and Richard Robinson. You can also do a twitter search for the #tag #KWST2 to see all the news. Below is a taster of what was discussed over the two days taken from tweets by attendees:
- Experience report on ethics from testing from James Bach – here we go!
- Criticism is fundamental to our community! And the acceptance of criticism, being open-minded instead of dismissive.
- Aaron Hodder weighs in with the first red card ‘there is no such spectrum as ‘ISTQB –> Exploratory’ – meaning you can do ISTQB and exploratory, and exploratory and ISTQB. They are not part of the same spectrum.
- Promoting one approach or practice regardless of the context can be unethical.
- What practice a tester uses is a technical issue and not an ethical issue.
- Sometimes templates constrain us from doing good work.
- If I’m a test tool, I do what I’m told. The responsibility lies with others.
- When is a tester ethically responsible for what he does? Make a clear distinction if you are a tool-tester or are directly responsible.
- Your job as a tester is to inform, not to make the business decision for them.
- July 12th 1992 – the last time James Bach counted test cases.
- Discussion around the ethics of offshore testing.
- Testing based on rituals is NOT testing.
- When communication stops, everybody loses.
- Testers are there to report the truth, not the convenient truth.
- If challenging, is your reputation strong enough to withstand any ethical fall out?
- As a tester have to look through the eyes of the people who matter. Those with whom we have a contract.
- The chain of command in corporations are confusing and maze-like. Would a military hierarchy be any better I wonder?
- Ethical Principles discussion – if its grey, on the day, sprays, and walk away.
- Key themes of ethics workshop: accurate reporting, risk management, learning, ownership of testing, privacy, competency.
The great thing about an event like KWST2 is how it opens up discussions and challenges ideas that aren’t being challenged elsewhere. SoftEd is proud to host this event and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow in the years to come.