STARWEST 2008 - Software Testing Conference

The benefits of a virtualized test lab environment are compelling and quantifiable--rapid provisioning and tear down of environments, faster test cycles, and powerful new capabilities to resolve defects. Although many test teams have experimented with virtual machines and have experienced some of the benefits, they've also discovered issues with virtual machine "sprawl," difficulties administering the lab, and lack of virtual private networking.

As a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment, Ericsson knows that test automation is a key factor for driving a successful test organization. Thomas Thunell describes their automation solution-test system for complex, end-to-end environments. Ericsson's networks typically consist of mobile terminals, base stations, radio network controllers, switching systems, protocol analyzers, and possibly other components.

Does your test process need to pass regulatory audits (FDA, SOX, ISO, etc.)? Do you find that an endless queue of documentation and maintenance is choking your ability to do actual testing? Is your team losing good testers due to boredom? With the right methods and attitude, you can do interesting and valuable testing while passing a process audit with flying colors. It may be easier than you think to incorporate exploratory techniques, test automation, test management tools, and iterative test design into your regulated process.

Test teams are just groups of people who work on projects together. But how do great test teams become great? More importantly, how can you lead your team to greatness? Jane Fraser describes the changes she made after several people on her testing staff asked to move out of testing and into other groups-production and engineering-and how helping them has improved the whole team and made Jane a much better leader. Join Jane as she shares her team's journey toward greatness.