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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. December 30, 2018
© Robert Sabourin, 2006

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

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

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