The Forensics of Testing – Mike Lyles
In this presentation, we will put the role of the tester under the microscope and discuss how testers can learn from the research and work that criminal investigators do today, how to use hard facts, as well as hidden facts, to determine a trustworthy conclusion.
In testing, we are the team’s version of “investigative reporters”. Good testers always investigate the facts, document findings, compare the notes, and make educated decisions to determine the true story for the system under test. Crime scene investigators have DNA, fingerprints, security cameras, and other evidence. Similarly, testers have a wide range of tools to investigate the “scene” as well, such as: observability, testability, accessibility, performance, security, TDD, BDD, and other tools. Testers must be constantly accumulating facts and findings, evaluating the results of those findings, and taking decisions that are thoroughly walked through. As testers, we must learn that “HOW” we use the data is much more critical than “WHAT” data we have regarding the product.
About our speaker: Mike Lyles is a Director of QA and Project Management with over 25 years of IT experience in multiple organizations, including Fortune 50 companies. He has exposure in various IT leadership roles: software development, program management office, and software testing. He has led various teams within testing organizations: functional testing, test environments, software configuration management, test data management, performance testing, test automation, and service virtualization.
Mike has been successful in career development, team building, coaching, and mentoring of IT & QA professionals. Mike has been an international keynote speaker at multiple conferences and events and is regularly published in testing publications and magazines. His first published motivational book, “The Drive-Thru is Not Always Faster”, was released in 2019. You can learn more about Mike at www.MikeWLyles.com where you can also find his social media links and connect with him there also. His book site is at www.TheDriveThruBook.com .
