Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab Robert Sabourin President & Principal consultant AmiBug.Com, Inc. Montreal, Canada rsabourin@amibug.com December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab! And now for something completely different . . . Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionized comedy and brought zany British humor to a world-wide audience. However, buried deep in the hilarity and camouflaged in its twisted wit, lie many important testing lessons—tips and techniques you can apply to real world problems to deal with turbulent projects, changing requirements, and stubborn project stakeholders. Rob Sabourin examines some of the most famous Python bits—“The Spanish Inquisition” telling us to expect the unexpected, “The Dead Parrot” asking if we should really deliver this product to the customer, “The Argument” teaching us about bug advocacy, “Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit” demonstrating the need to pick the right testing tool, and a host of other goofy gags, each one with a lesson for testers. How to test effectively with persistence Make your point with effective communication Keys ways to clarify project goals and requirements December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab! Overview Learning and metaphors Ambiguous requirements Logic and reasoning Dead software I always wanted to be a tester Throw code over the wall Help desk arguments Communications Testing tools Nobody expects the process inquisition December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Learning and Metaphors Teaching Learning Retaining Applying knowledge Share experiences Don’t get carried away … December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Monty Python’s Flying Test Lab! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Ambiguous Requirements Is it really perfectly clear? Do not tick off the stakeholders Decision tables? Real communications? December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Witch Burning False logic Incongruent chain of reasoning A witch weighs the same as a duck! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Witch Burning Indirect measures Calibration The sound of wisdom. December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Dead Parrot? When I bought this software you said it was taking time to get to know my computer. “Norwegian Blue Screen Saver” December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Dead Parrot? What do you mean it’s sleeping? It’s crashed! It has abended It will run no more It is deceased This is a dead program!!! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Lumberjack I always wanted to be a tester, Leaping from bug to bug … “He’s a tester and he’s OK – He Sleeps all night and he works all day” December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Lumberjack He crashes code and eats his lunch and lives by the blue screen And when he hears of Vista he runs to the latrine! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

The Taunting So what exactly are the developers throwing over the wall? A cow or a duck? Can we really “run away!”? December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

The Argument Helpdesk … This isn’t an argument, it is a series of contradictions? Yes it is! No it isn’t. December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Trading Languages Do you understand the customer? Do your customers understand you? December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Defend against fruit Choose the right tool for the right job. Take heed – do not take claims at face value. December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Spanish Inquisition Nobody expects the process inquisition! Our three weapons are Fear, Surprise and a Fanatical Devotion to Thick Binders December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Holy Hand Grenade Follow instructions or just plain act on it. Do testers need to hide behind process? December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

SPAM SPAM is finally pervasive! December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006

Thank You Questions? December 30, 2018 © Robert Sabourin, 2006