tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241005802024-03-13T11:23:11.762-05:00Randy Rice's Software Testing & Quality BlogDedicated to thoughts about software testing, QA, and other software quality related practices. I will also address software requirements, tools, standards, processes, and other essential aspects of the software quality equation.Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-63651394606648158052020-04-24T10:25:00.000-05:002020-04-24T10:25:07.102-05:00Invitation to Participate in 2020 QA and Test Outsourcing Survey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KDnrepRgT4ldcv7VupNZd_cZPJcUHzD4F7MvJfLQSRGFnJdHvsfxTuUBxXyasMCnpZLOQhsgIe_sHttg5Wu11nC66OjMsvVI3tbMoTC2g0TyaEHThmCVpwhVnyby8LD_Sq2R/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KDnrepRgT4ldcv7VupNZd_cZPJcUHzD4F7MvJfLQSRGFnJdHvsfxTuUBxXyasMCnpZLOQhsgIe_sHttg5Wu11nC66OjMsvVI3tbMoTC2g0TyaEHThmCVpwhVnyby8LD_Sq2R/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hi Friends,<br />
<br />
I hope you are all doing well in these challenging times.<br />
<br />
I am continuing a research project on attitudes and experiences in outsourcing QA and Testing services.<br />
<br />
I would love to get your input on this, even if you are not currently outsourcing any of your QA and Test functions. The survey will be open for 3 weeks (ending Friday, May 15, 2020).<br />
<br />
There are instructions on the form that describe how to get a copy of the survey results when I publish them.<br />
<br />
Here is the link: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI3p5ru79vU1Urw98G71TdhUrFoAizr1tpw9BoBK4AuiKBbg/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI3p5ru79vU1Urw98G71TdhUrFoAizr1tpw9BoBK4AuiKBbg/viewform</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for your help!<br />
<br />
Randy<br />
<br />Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-16819031172875702282020-01-29T21:18:00.001-06:002020-01-30T05:18:33.060-06:00Invitation to Participate in the State of Testing (TM) 2020 SurveyMy friends at Practitest are conducting their annual State of Testing (TM) survey. I think these kinds of surveys are important to know the current global picture of testing.<br />
<br />
I hope you will participate!<br />
<br />
Survey link - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/2f98861ccf2186c645d9cd3d512cbdcc1d9b07d4?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.surveymonkey.com%252Fr%252Fstot2020%26userId%3D2608389%26signature%3Da6f1cc7190a9f2da&source=gmail&ust=1580469192525000&usg=AFQjCNHCot53_bcxp-nxFQDj9XJQcxuTyA" href="https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/2f98861ccf2186c645d9cd3d512cbdcc1d9b07d4?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2Fstot2020&userId=2608389&signature=a6f1cc7190a9f2da" target="_blank">https://www.surveymonkey.<wbr></wbr>com/r/stot2020</a><br />
<br />
By the way, at this link you can see the past surveys. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://qablog.practitest.com/state-of-testing/">https://qablog.practitest.com/state-of-testing/</a><br />
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-3615173748154133942020-01-17T12:56:00.000-06:002020-01-17T12:56:22.276-06:00Burned by Thunderbird 68? Here's How to Get Your e-mails Back!One of my "Randy-isms" is "Just because you are ready to release the code doesn't mean the user is ready to accept it."<br />
<br />
That played out for me today when I opened Thunderbird for Mac and it auto-installed the most recent release (68.4.1).<br />
<br />
Immediately, I noticed all my e-mail accounts and e-mails within them were gone, gone, gone. Deep breaths....<br />
<br />
So, I looked into this release and saw, "Thunderbird version 68.4.1 provides an automatic update from Thunderbird version 60." However, that was not the case for me and I suspect it may not be the case for others.<strong></strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
You must understand that I don't do "Inbox Zero". In fact, my inbox is my history for many things I do (along with the thousands of pictures on my phone). So, I was somewhat panicked.<br />
<br />
However, I knew the e-mail files were there, just not being seen by the new version. Plus, I have redundant backups, so I knew I could get everything back. And...the beauty of the Mac is that you can just run the app with no install process like in Windows.<br />
<br />
I managed to find the old version at <a href="https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/">https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/</a><br />
<br />
I downloaded version 60.9.1 (you will need to navigate through the sub-folders to get the right language version).<br />
<br />
I opened it and instantly had access to all my e-mails.<br />
<br />
The new version (68.4.1) looks great, but it was useless to me. I hope it works for me better in future releases. But for now, I have "auto update" turned off!<br />
<br />
I hope this helps you!<br />
<br />
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-73034532996765393812019-06-16T18:39:00.001-05:002019-06-16T18:40:13.481-05:00Learn Selenium IDE and WebDriver at Your Desk in 2 Days - July 1 & 2, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sbhu0TCSieRL-4vZGk35MbgxfYJR8OYa-ploZUCjKWtI_zeO3bAORLYnWne3ccwbWyaTaE7_Iwge41X_zeg6M-nIOCDlDGVe7cUZhD_l-Dx8mvW83eJ3Q2g2ULUdMIK30WOV/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sbhu0TCSieRL-4vZGk35MbgxfYJR8OYa-ploZUCjKWtI_zeO3bAORLYnWne3ccwbWyaTaE7_Iwge41X_zeg6M-nIOCDlDGVe7cUZhD_l-Dx8mvW83eJ3Q2g2ULUdMIK30WOV/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking to get a well-rounded education in Selenium IDE and WebDriver, then please check out the July event - Selenium IDE and WebDriver Workshop, July 1 and 2, 2019. This is a live virtual class I will be personally teaching. Enrollment is open until Friday, June 21.
That's right. We will cover both Selenium IDE and WebDriver in 2 days. You will learn by doing. For more info and to register -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://mysoftwaretesting.com/Selenium-IDE-and-WebDriver-Workshop_p_108.html">https://mysoftwaretesting.com/Selenium-IDE-and-WebDriver-Workshop_p_108.html</a>
Don't miss out on this opportunity!</span></pre>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-63830388899653835312019-06-04T14:31:00.001-05:002019-06-04T14:31:41.652-05:0029 Years Ago Today...<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">29 years ago today, I started on my first contract/consulting project here in Oklahoma City. We had been living in Olathe, KS for two years while I learned a lot about QA and testing while working at Home Office Reference Lab. But, we were ready to move back home to OKC closer to friends and family. There were no testing jobs here, so God and I created one! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">That first project was a magnificent failure and taught me a lot. It has been an amazing journey taking Janet and me, and our sons, around the world as I taught and consulted software testing to a multitude of really great people. Taking that step was one of the scariest things I ever did. No safety net at all. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am thankful to God for the great times and the low times, and to my family for putting up with it all, especially the travel with me away so much. The road life isn't all that glamorous. The money isn't always there, either. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am thankful I was able to see the apex of testing and quality. Sadly, it is not what it used to be. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am so thankful to my wife, Janet for her unwavering support in so many ways. Finally, I am thankful to all my friends and clients (it's great when they are the same people) for your support all these years. Thanks to my mentors as well for helping me keep perspective. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="8se39-0-0"><span data-text="true">I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know the One who holds it! Thank you!</span></span>Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-24832712176947053092019-05-09T16:02:00.001-05:002019-05-12T07:53:06.150-05:00What the April 2019 U.S. Jobs Report Means for Software Test Managers and Leaders<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i22IXoaSDsAyEPRnr5PMYrtlgkt2N22-2BGa7KGXwq4AnDJl2OCmYWEUpzKnuAFwHdhUSrNOx7zqZlk-lV_Eq8JGC0VWXLw_0CgR-vPtDdh8evo5he8W_FTw3kcIsr9a5nC3/s1600/profit-2395780_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i22IXoaSDsAyEPRnr5PMYrtlgkt2N22-2BGa7KGXwq4AnDJl2OCmYWEUpzKnuAFwHdhUSrNOx7zqZlk-lV_Eq8JGC0VWXLw_0CgR-vPtDdh8evo5he8W_FTw3kcIsr9a5nC3/s320/profit-2395780_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week (May 3, 2019) saw great economic news as published
in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April 2019 report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In April, 2019, the unemployment rate dropped
to 3.6% (the lowest since 1969) with over 263,000 new non-farm jobs added. Also
significant was the prior March report with 196,000 jobs added. That is great
news, indeed. But, like with so many things, there are implications along with
these numbers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without taking away anything from this great report, it is
important to remember that it is a snapshot, which will change in future
reports, either up or down. Also, there are other economic indicators that show
not-so-great things, like historic levels of consumer debt. And, as with any
metric, there are nuances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had two bug problems for many years with how these
general numbers are reported: 1) the quality of the jobs are not factored in,
so they could be skewed toward minimum wage jobs, for example. 2) The
unemployment rate is only based on people that are currently receiving
unemployment compensation, not on people who may be unemployed but not on
assistance. There are sub-metrics that do address things like people who have
“given up” looking for work, etc., but those are hardly ever reported in the
media.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that being said, and with no particular political
position taken, plus I am not an economist (although with their track record of
forecasting, I think I could do as well), I offer my analysis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since software testing and QA is my focus, I have been
thinking about what this means for testers and test managers. In this article I
focus on impact on test managers and leaders. I am simultaneously publishing an
<a href="https://randallrice.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-april-2019-us-jobs-report-means.html" target="_blank">article for the impact on testers</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, the impact is not just about economics. There
are forces both now and ahead that will drive the need for development and
testing skills at numbers we have never seen before. These forces include
digital transformations of legacy systems (including the move to virtualized
data centers), connected devices and Internet of Things applications,
cybersecurity challenges, Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence
and the effective creation and maintenance of test automation - all of which
will need tested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Big Questions to Ask
and Answer</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW0w8WbkS9G150jIOoYQk6OsUgs4D2ex26uIvJzkEvhQaMWIUcZkti_YmNtH4oAu2Vh8ApRHFGCFpJFpKefwfm9pBPARiulCAk42Exr0mYGvDgebte6DdyiacYzMABts3ihyK/s1600/ask-blackboard-356079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW0w8WbkS9G150jIOoYQk6OsUgs4D2ex26uIvJzkEvhQaMWIUcZkti_YmNtH4oAu2Vh8ApRHFGCFpJFpKefwfm9pBPARiulCAk42Exr0mYGvDgebte6DdyiacYzMABts3ihyK/s320/ask-blackboard-356079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your company is probably already involved with, or planning,
many new projects. You face some big questions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>How can we get the people we need, when we need
them, and for as long as we need them?<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>How will we keep our team(s) if they leave for
better opportunities?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Even if we keep the team(s) intact, how will we
find new people we need in a tight job market?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>How can we keep up with rapid development that
never stops sprinting?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>How can we help our company make the best of the
business opportunities?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some thoughts, given the current economy and
marketplace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New Options Are
Available To Finding Resources</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5fskc5YoQMdmTfPwZ6bvx8F_xkVGs2HiJFQP08QGB2addhV9UzKfEMUTHLoLKGOgQhP8xo-W-EIQ4WJzFGBmgHi_b02oBMeNeAb1h1uCQV8jXOoH_CO0ct7Xo8sBLybaLk5O/s1600/team-3373638_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1280" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5fskc5YoQMdmTfPwZ6bvx8F_xkVGs2HiJFQP08QGB2addhV9UzKfEMUTHLoLKGOgQhP8xo-W-EIQ4WJzFGBmgHi_b02oBMeNeAb1h1uCQV8jXOoH_CO0ct7Xo8sBLybaLk5O/s320/team-3373638_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the last twenty or more years, offshore outsourcing has
been a quick and easy way to fill staffing gaps, especially in software testing
and QA. However, merely outsourcing testing tasks has been shown to have
significant drawbacks, such as:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Lack of transparency as to
the work being performed, who is doing the work, and how proprietary
content is being safeguarded</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Lack of testing training
and competency</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Lack of critical thinking
on the part of the testers</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Little sense of teamwork
between the customer company and outsourcer company (offshore or
near-shore)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Lower overall value of the
work due to fewer defects found and less valuable information about the
software being tested</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Uncertain and
unpredictable outcomes from the testing effort</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4;">Communication problems
between the customer company and the outsourcing company</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Testing should be a “whole team” activity. Everyone on a
project (developers, users, testers, management, and others) has a role in
testing whether they realize it or not. When testing is seen as just one team’s
job, some aspects of testing will be incomplete.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/independent-testing-from-rice-consulting-services.html" target="_blank">Co-sourcing has emerged as a solution</a>.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an
innovation that takes outsourcing to a new level. The testers are remote, but
there is an expert that is in the US and can be connected to you and your team
to make sure work flows smoothly and you get the results you need. Instead of
individuals, you get a fully training and certified team, tailored to your
needs. <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/independent-testing-from-rice-consulting-services.html" target="_blank">Rice Consulting is the exclusive provider of this service in the USA. </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Co-sourcing involves independent testers in a way that
brings the whole team approach closer to a company than traditional
outsourcing. This is achieved by close communication with the co-sourcing team,
led by an on-shore testing expert.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In response to the challenge of diminishing returns from
traditional outsourced test delivery (the mere execution of tests and reports
without analysis), the co-sourcing model is based on Dedicated Product Test
Teams. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is obvious that more eyes catch more defects, but more
than that, effective teamwork creates value greater than the sum of its
parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is achieved by building and
sustaining a collaborative culture conducive to critical thinking, questioning
and clear communication. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of having ten individual testers designing and
conducting tests, consider a team of ten people critically thinking about the
application, brainstorming, designing and performing tests and providing
feedback – all led by highly experienced test leaders.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about co-sourcing, please visit <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/co-sourcing">https://www.riceconsulting.com/co-sourcing</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keeping the Team…and
Improving Them</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Rise of “The Career Nomad”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new trend is the “career nomad”. My friend, Tom Staab, brought this to me attention recently. This is a person that
moves from job to job, either inside a company or between companies to
accelerate their advancement. In my day, it was called “job hopping.” I did it
and my parents were very concerned about it, but in the programming field it
was the way to advance. The other option was to work for 20 years at one place
and hope your boss moves on and you get the slot. But, there were no guarantees
for that, either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It takes a good economy to make the career nomad approach
work, but working it is, right now. To get an idea of the scope, a true career
nomad will have over 20 jobs in a career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key takeaway here is that the stigma is going away from
moving jobs too often. Employers are realizing this is the new reality.
Actually, many employers helped create this new reality by layoffs and poor
management. The old mindset was, “Let ‘em go…we’ll find more.” Not so, today -
at least, not full-time employees in tech.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, there are ways to retain talent., such as:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Investing in Their Skills</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most-mentioned thing I hear from testers is that getting
funding for training and conferences is a major way companies tangibly show
investment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An interesting thing has happened over recent years in the
radical shift toward virtual learning. Because of this shift, department
training budgets have shifted to individual training budgets, with the
individual having more choice in the training. This definitely meets individual
needs, especially in smaller shops and those in remote areas. And…many
companies just feel they don’t have the time for live training events for QA,
test, developers, etc. I have seen virtual training work extremely well, which
is why I offer over 30 e-Learning and live virtual courses at
https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, this shift to virtual does come at an expense in
two ways: 1) Some people just don’t like virtual training. They have a
preference for a live in-person classroom experience. 2) Live classroom courses
and workshops provide an opportunity for the team to learn and experience
together, as a team. This results in a very important thing – getting everyone
on a common footing of terminology and practice. I prefer workshops that emphasize immediate application of the concepts learned. In fact, I offer the option in my workshops to work on your own projects.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True, some companies don’t invest in people for fear they
will leave. That’s a risk, but it’s also a circular argument because they might
well leave anyway for lack of investment. I say, take the chance. The cost of
training can be easily recouped by the efficiency and effectiveness gained by
the person applying the practices learned in training. I know, I’ve seen
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, this is another reason that
team training events makes sense in that it shares the knowledge investment in
a group, rather than individuals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s just take the average cost of a post-production defect
in the US at $5,000 as an example. Just catching one of those defects due to
something learned in training would pay for 2 – 3 people to attend training in
some format.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrG89lxT77ZxT8XU_tzUmRvUbOrbkDQ9BP0qQOfF7Y1XgdqSWKl1y5jWyvm4QozwEWft-nxBdIekWC3OcsI3ATQYSqirI6A_A_f8KLKFWL3VemkwEoepJrUiWqrKG9Tv1f5oFT/s1600/achievement-3565812_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1280" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrG89lxT77ZxT8XU_tzUmRvUbOrbkDQ9BP0qQOfF7Y1XgdqSWKl1y5jWyvm4QozwEWft-nxBdIekWC3OcsI3ATQYSqirI6A_A_f8KLKFWL3VemkwEoepJrUiWqrKG9Tv1f5oFT/s320/achievement-3565812_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or, it could be like the major government agency where I
trained testers, developers, BAs and senior leadership for two days at an
off-site event. As a result, my client told me later that the UAT effort on the
next project only required two cycles of testing instead of the usual three. He
credited that to the things they learned in training, plus the synergy of
everyone learning them together. Each cycle of testing cost them around
$40,000. That paid for the training multiple times over!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, the bottom line remains the same. A major way to
attract and keep team members is to invest in them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Improving Motivation by Improving How Work is Done</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZwTQ2k2y3zRW_nwipVHkdvpDkPD4K-navcI47A4WZyoqslMQwmr3TvCjnNUI80sY49ThYWLepoaz1IcziBxpZG8u6jL-HvWNsLRtxZ9m6-W_cbUiBI66pwPYH8t8TS6dwlFq/s1600/13201019_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="246" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZwTQ2k2y3zRW_nwipVHkdvpDkPD4K-navcI47A4WZyoqslMQwmr3TvCjnNUI80sY49ThYWLepoaz1IcziBxpZG8u6jL-HvWNsLRtxZ9m6-W_cbUiBI66pwPYH8t8TS6dwlFq/s320/13201019_s.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People get very de-motivated and disengaged when they feel
they are doing a bad job due to the way work is done. In fact, the numbers of
disengaged workers is very high – around 85% according to a Gallup poll. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That is depressing news!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a misperception that testing slows delivery down. I
call it a misperception because it is often not the activity of testing, but
the use of ineffective and inefficient testing practices, automated or not,
that causes problems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is management’s responsibility to address and fix broken
processes. But, in many cases management doesn’t even know the testing process
is broken. The focus today is on speed, with the other misperception that
automation alone will make testing go faster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The real culprit besides broken processes is defects found
too late.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that I have talked so much about training, I need to
walk back a step…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>When it comes to process improvement, the first step is not
training </i></b>– it is an assessment of where you are. Any training before that is
likely to meet the real needs of improvement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Transforming the Culture</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A major reason people join or leave a company is the
culture. Bad culture is also a major reason for disengagement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changing a culture is hard. Transforming a culture is even
tougher, but it can be done. Most companies will not make the change and that
is why they remain toxic and dysfunctional. That’s why it’s so hard to keep
good people in these companies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only way I know to transform a corporate culture is a
shake-up from the very top. However, I have seen teams form islands of great
team culture, even in a sea of dysfunction. Here is how they did it…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They had a leader who understood people and
their needs, including the business stakeholders.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Each person on the team was a respected
“resident expert.” Whenever a decision was needed, they deferred to the
resident expert as much as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They collaborated in a great way.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They really didn’t get pulled into the
negativity of the corporate culture. The leader was a buffer for much of that.
By the way, the other teams who were highly dysfunctional thought this team was
weird.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The team delivered quality on time, every time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I look back on this one example, years later, I realize I
was looking at an agile team before the term “agile” was associated with
software development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Finding New People</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is getting harder and harder in some markets to find the
right people for your needs. This is a major expense, in both time and money.
It costs over $4,000 just to hire one person on average, over a period of 30 or
more weeks. And those numbers were before the recent events!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Companies will need to re-evaluate their hiring approaches,
including cutting back on the massive laundry lists that so many companies post
these days. In some job postings I have seen, no individual tester could
possibly meet all of them. I suggest keeping expectations realistic and trying
to hit the 80% mark of desired skills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider co-sourcing, as mentioned above, as an alternative
to full-time employees. For more information, just contact me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keeping up With Rapid
Development</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people tend to see this as a resource issue. And, it
could be, in some cases. However, I have been researching tester-to-developer
ratios since 2000 and have found that just about any ratio can work with the
right balance of tools, people and processes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If your development and testing processes are inefficient,
more people just makes it worse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Co-sourcing with an initial process and tool assessment is a
great way to get a grip on keeping up with rapid development and testing. I
have seen massive improvement in weeks after making some very fundamental
process changes and getting the right people involved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Making the Best of
Business Opportunities</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really, this is where everything hinges and is the pain
point for many people in the C-suites. The execs want to beat a competitor to
market, but the development manager says it will require months to build and
test that product.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is where a company must be very strategic and agile by
shifting priorities to give the highest business value. Shipping incomplete and
faulty products is not a workable strategy, as you may actually lose customers
with that practice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is also where a fine-tuned process and scalable
workforce comes into play. Process improvement aligned with co-sourcing can
provide the resources when needed, to build and deliver a quality product to
market, even in a very constrained resource market.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summary</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the key takeaways from the current economic news:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>A significant number of people are changing
jobs, which can be good for the individual, but leaves gaps in the companies
they leave.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Career nomads are a trend which places a greater
burden on companies to work harder to keep good people.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>There are fewer QA and Test professionals in the
open market to hire, so employers will need to explore alternative options.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The future holds a massive technology challenge
as the convergence of several waves all hit at once. It will make Y2K seem like
a “normal” project.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Trying to meet these challenges with ineffective
and inefficient processes combined with inadequate resources is a recipe for
failure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is that there are answers. If you would like
to learn how to get on top of the situation as opposed to being whipped by it,
just call (405-691-8075) or <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/" target="_blank">write me</a> today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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-->Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-66465554093406833912019-05-09T15:39:00.003-05:002019-05-12T07:53:38.413-05:00What the April 2019 U.S. Jobs Report Means for Software Testers and QA Professionals<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLDuerF2ykhWfhLbRkxdhQhmLAlVq-c8vGgtE5q3LSZPfBuMxqQ5I9jnC2y68YGvt1UAs4zleVxPQqk28jz-E7qnaEjHMoSWJTwBdmmG03elS5tuslcGQELnaATGfvvKClv53/s1600/setting-2473875_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLDuerF2ykhWfhLbRkxdhQhmLAlVq-c8vGgtE5q3LSZPfBuMxqQ5I9jnC2y68YGvt1UAs4zleVxPQqk28jz-E7qnaEjHMoSWJTwBdmmG03elS5tuslcGQELnaATGfvvKClv53/s320/setting-2473875_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week (May 3, 2019) saw great economic news as published
in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April 2019 report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In April, 2019, the unemployment rate dropped
to 3.6% (the lowest since 1969) with over 263,000 new non-farm jobs added. Also
significant was the prior March report with 196,000 jobs added. That is great
news, indeed. But, like with so many things, there are implications along with
these numbers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without taking away anything from this great report, it is
important to remember that it is a snapshot, which will change in future
reports, either up or down. Also, there are other economic indicators that show
not-so-great things, like historic levels of consumer debt. And, as with any
metric, there are nuances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had two big issues for many years with how these numbers are reported: 1) the quality of the jobs are not factored in,
so they could be skewed toward minimum wage jobs, for example. 2) The
unemployment rate is only based on people that are currently receiving
unemployment compensation, not on people who may be unemployed but not on
assistance. There are sub-metrics that do address things like people who have
“given up” looking for work, etc., but those are hardly ever reported in the
media.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that being said, and with no particular political
position taken, plus I am not an economist (although with their track record of
forecasting, I think I could do as well), I humbly offer my analysis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since software testing and QA is my focus, I have been
thinking about what this means for testers and test managers. In this article I
focus on impact on testers. I am simultaneously publishing an <a href="https://randallrice.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-april-2019-us-jobs-report-means_9.html" target="_blank">article for the impact on test managers</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, the impact is not just about economics. There
are forces both now and ahead that will drive the need for development and
testing skills at numbers we have never seen before. These forces include
digital transformations of legacy systems (including the move to virtualized
data centers), connected devices and Internet of Things applications,
cybersecurity challenges, Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and
the effective creation and maintenance of test automation - all of which will
need tested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As a tester, this is an opportunity to go for a better position.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t tell you how many people (including test leaders)
that have confided in me over the last ten years, “Once the economy improves, I’m
outta here!” Much of that is due to frustrations with their current manager
and/or company.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps you, like these people have tried and tried to make
things work, but the culture is so bad there seems to be no hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was just finishing this article, I read other analysis
on LinkedIn last night which said, “The Labor Department also said the pace at
which people quit their jobs held at a historically high 2.3% for a 10th month
as the unemployment rate has continued to dip to half century lows.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, this is that time that dissatisfied people have been
waiting for. And, people are leaving jobs at record levels that are opening new
positions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Rise of “The Career Nomad”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS30nKHRetOGFaYjtlfG741RnVMplGOpUUPQEcV8bYphyphenhyphenOeLqoLnY6WLDdrIuXFlLDkUZMt2vdwLIk639fBc-JmQuQeVHnOEmQXg1sBVguxMbBvXrZS_XDxn6fRENaAXOPiVu/s1600/guy-2618928_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS30nKHRetOGFaYjtlfG741RnVMplGOpUUPQEcV8bYphyphenhyphenOeLqoLnY6WLDdrIuXFlLDkUZMt2vdwLIk639fBc-JmQuQeVHnOEmQXg1sBVguxMbBvXrZS_XDxn6fRENaAXOPiVu/s320/guy-2618928_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have often wondered “When does a ‘thing’ become a
‘thing’?” In other words, what defines a trend?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new trend is the “career nomad”. My friend, Tom Staab, brought this to me attention recently. This is a person that
moves from job to job, either inside a company or between companies to
accelerate their advancement. In my day, it was called “job hopping.” I did it
and my parents were very concerned about it, but in the programming field it
was the way to advance. The other option was to work for 20 years at one place
and hope your boss moves on and you get the slot. But, there were no guarantees
for that, either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It takes a good economy to make the career nomad approach
work, but working it is, right now. To get an idea of the scope, a true career
nomad will have over 20 jobs in a career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key takeaway here is that the stigma is going away from
moving jobs too often. Employers are realizing this is the new reality.
Actually, many employers helped create this new reality by layoffs and poor
management. The old mindset was, “Let ‘em go…we’ll find more.” Not so, today -
at least, not full-time employees in tech.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a great time to be a career nomad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When applying for a new position, a new reality hits - you need certain
skills and certifications to even apply at the jobs you really want.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been saying for the last 20 years, “The time to build
skills is about 6 – 12 months ago.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The catch is for many of the more desirable skills, such as
certain tools, or experience in a position, there is also an experience factor
or 1 – 5 years required. You can’t just build those things overnight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> do is
get certified in a new skill and start documenting all the related things you
have done in the past. They do add up, and we tend to forget those things over
time. A prospective employer might look at your initiative and allow you to
grow into certain skills that you have a start in, but in which you are not
fully mature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ZQukMBx7TnXsD9hNLQSlAnCRyT11VKZdkPUrAJa_c3j7BigZTgAMoXYFf1aXwDPz9myAO9lSGGuSjsR4YncYeOUiFmeadjwN6uB6EyAKvNS9HA2OBxtl6ltuhEMnDa3uQcH/s1600/online-3412473_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ZQukMBx7TnXsD9hNLQSlAnCRyT11VKZdkPUrAJa_c3j7BigZTgAMoXYFf1aXwDPz9myAO9lSGGuSjsR4YncYeOUiFmeadjwN6uB6EyAKvNS9HA2OBxtl6ltuhEMnDa3uQcH/s320/online-3412473_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Certifications, love them or hate them, do convey a sense of
knowledge. HR loves them. Do some initial searches and see which ones are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">required</i> for the position you want and which
certifications are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">desired</i>. In some
cases, a prospective employer is willing to accept that you will attain the
needed certification in a given time after hiring, such as six months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, for testing positions, it is common to find
some level of ISTQB certification either required or desirable. You can get the
CTFL in 3 days minimum, although most people will require a bit more time,
especially if going the e-Learning or self-study route.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Certifications do help you stand out among others. If you
need training, I offer <a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/" target="_blank">live virtual events and on-demand e-learning.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if you still can’t change companies?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take if from an old dude that has seen this happen before,
lots of people make changes. New positions may open in your company that may be
an advancement opportunity. That’s very common. Your micro-managing boss might
leave to micro-manage in another company. You might be just the right fit for
their position, as long as you are not a new micro-manager!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t forget how to learn!</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter how your situation plays out, no matter your age, now
is the time to learn new things and be forward-thinking. Even if you have to
fund it yourself, keep learning. It’s your life and your career. To remain the
same will not work in the future. Your future self will thank you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do this personally, even getting some e-learning last
month on penetration testing, and some live training on cyber table-top
exercises. It looks great on a resume to have a consistent record of ongoing
training and learning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have taught classes where it was obvious the people hadn’t
been in a classroom for years. Then, add on an exam, and some people really get
nervous. Some haven’t taken a test for 20 years or more, either. Don’t be that
person!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t be afraid, just jump in. So what if you struggle?
That’s where the learning happens. The more you exercise your brain, the more
you will improve and even age better. <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/bio-of-randy-rice.html" target="_blank">Find a good teacher</a> and go for it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Are You a Manual
Tester?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOxU0UaimDeRACGj1bogM5HxaJmjrFhSoQgB5q5JNqVH8GGDcf_iAM7bnefB-kDxYFaIWSy9hcMhFFQE4bLxQMXH3aBe647ZT-iY9aq7i1W-Q1r9BXd1_tKx3L9zPvRPqRMdE/s1600/coaching-coders-coding-7374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOxU0UaimDeRACGj1bogM5HxaJmjrFhSoQgB5q5JNqVH8GGDcf_iAM7bnefB-kDxYFaIWSy9hcMhFFQE4bLxQMXH3aBe647ZT-iY9aq7i1W-Q1r9BXd1_tKx3L9zPvRPqRMdE/s320/coaching-coders-coding-7374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If so, take heart. I’ll say at the outset that I have been
predicting this for many years now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the last ten years, there has been such a push toward
the Software Developer in Test (SDET) role, testers have been told they will be
out of work without technical skills such as coding and test automation. The
push toward technical testing skills has also been fueled by employers
requiring them, whether those skills are actually needed or not. Clearly, there
is a need for technical skills and there are salary benefits, too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, technical testing and test automation is limited. There
are some things that simply cannot or should not be automated. Plus, the SDET
often approaches software testing from the developer perspective instead of the
user or customer perspective. So, when the user encounters a failure, the
developer-minded tester may say, “So what? Here’s how you work around that.”
Users don’t need workarounds, they need software that works correctly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because so many testers have moved to the technical side, a
shortage of manual testers has actually been seen in some markets. Manual
testing is not easy and requires many skills that technical testers may miss
entirely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not everyone is cutout to have technical skills. Their
greater value may be in the business domain. Or, they just may be wicked good
at finding defects in just about anything. Those people make great testers!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, if manual testing is your strength, play to it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summary</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the key takeaways for testers and QA professionals
from the current economic news and the testing marketplace:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>A significant number of people are changing
jobs, which can be good for the individual, but leaves gaps in the companies
they leave. That, in turn, opens new opportunities to fill in those companies.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Job hopping has lost much of the stigma and is
now seen as a trend of “career nomads.”</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>There are fewer QA and Test professionals in the
open market to hire, so the competition is less and the pay is increasing.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This is a chance for testers to advance, if they
have the right skills and can demonstrate value to a prospective employer.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The future holds a massive technology challenge
as the convergence of several waves all hit at once. It will make Y2K seem like
a “normal” project.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Manual testers are in demand in many markets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is that this is a great time to be a tester!
Why? Because there are more opportunities than ever before and the skills
needed are both deep and wide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have a testing or QA career question, please <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/" target="_blank">contact me</a>!</div>
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-->Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-8927950415595426062019-04-02T13:40:00.002-05:002019-04-02T13:40:23.234-05:00Graduation Day at Muraho TechCongratulations to all the ladies who graduated the four-week intensive coursework last Friday in Rwanda!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdQLP4ZNJ_f91An8ggqe2xEwPAlUwtC-wLLjZb0am-ygWpMKZK8_3xZPe6jJS13x4WOvFrop1v5mQI6O6G1q4e6n351C_qebUoyoHSiabLswYB1ow1epfApremLHXY24qWdPj/s1600/Graduation+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdQLP4ZNJ_f91An8ggqe2xEwPAlUwtC-wLLjZb0am-ygWpMKZK8_3xZPe6jJS13x4WOvFrop1v5mQI6O6G1q4e6n351C_qebUoyoHSiabLswYB1ow1epfApremLHXY24qWdPj/s320/Graduation+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full group, left side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYotHsh6WR6Djj7nKZ57xgsuIbX4VrxnsZeuYD9fMLWj_qfBl0spbogTJRZ14I07fqAorL2oRqFKltWnetbryFl6a7eWdQKkBSlG8N5Nqh2IrMXUPec5aNNl8YTtANbHjjR8l1/s1600/Graduation+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYotHsh6WR6Djj7nKZ57xgsuIbX4VrxnsZeuYD9fMLWj_qfBl0spbogTJRZ14I07fqAorL2oRqFKltWnetbryFl6a7eWdQKkBSlG8N5Nqh2IrMXUPec5aNNl8YTtANbHjjR8l1/s320/Graduation+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full group, right side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n42qt_acbKW50fghmRcdql9dm2wLb9_xyFjzvdB7MVzHfeRRJS27i289BJuy5ipD4LtajtHaoOlfALeYABZxaWs_B-rR9DzU4GrIdycYkEmv9m6dMDtUUS5fezWapgmvyFI3/s1600/Graduation+-+ISTQB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n42qt_acbKW50fghmRcdql9dm2wLb9_xyFjzvdB7MVzHfeRRJS27i289BJuy5ipD4LtajtHaoOlfALeYABZxaWs_B-rR9DzU4GrIdycYkEmv9m6dMDtUUS5fezWapgmvyFI3/s320/Graduation+-+ISTQB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New ISTQB Foundation Level Certification Holders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-52607243428728579092019-03-29T14:23:00.001-05:002019-03-31T08:54:44.595-05:00The WeCode Story of ConsoleeI want to share a story that was written recently by Dr. Michael Pucci, director of the Muraho training effort in Rwanda.<br />
<br />
======= <br />
<br />
<div class="">
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
I wanted to take
the chance to capture a glimpse into the deeply transformative impact
our training has been facilitating in the lives of the WeCode women. We
get these textures every day, but those who are focused on the back end
infrastructure to enable the WeCode project often don’t get to see what
is most beautiful (and motivating) about it.</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
To
me the story of Consolee in particular embodies the values we are
nurturing in this learning environment (We Seek Excellence, We Love
Questions, We Fail Forward, We Win Together). Consolee was in our first
cohort in September and October but really struggled because she was
starting off from such a low level of English competency. However, she
brought a lot of heart competencies to the work (positive attitude,
grit/persistence), and as a result we saw great improvement across many
of the competencies, as she challenged herself. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
We could see that she
was really coming alive and thriving in the safe environment of her
team, which embraced everyone from different backgrounds and economic
means. Consolee, was from a very low Ubudehe economic level. We could
also see early on in the training that her low English was really
handicapping her. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
Although she completed both the Basic Work Readiness
and Advanced QA & Project Management training, she failed to qualify
to sit the October 15 ASTQB (international proficiency) certification)
exam. There are some at that threshold who complain, protest, while
there are others who (sometimes through tears) just say, “Next time I
will get there."</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
During
the internship that followed the training, Consolee was selected to
be on a team that remained focused on ISTQB and English proficiency, and
in fact, she was chosen as the Malayika (facilitator) to lead her team
of learners during that four month internship. The internship required a
high degree of self-organizing from the teams, especially those that
were not selected to be on live Muraho client software testing projects
but were given further learning objectives to pursue to further prepare
themselves. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
At the end of the internship, we assessed the teams
according to the projects they were on, including the learning projects.
Those who demonstrated they were persisting in learning during the
internship were invited into the second cohort’s intensive two weeks of
ISTQB training and coaching to try for the exam again.</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
Six
of those who did not qualify to sit the ASTQB in October were invited
to join cohort 2 Advanced training the first two weeks of March. All six
of them qualified and sat the official ASTQB on March 18. Of particular
note, Consolee’s marks during the mock exams were consistently at the
top of the pile, and her English and confidence were also markedly
improved (measured by questions and presentations). She shifted from one
of the lowest mock scorers in round one to consistently scoring at the
top. When we asked her what she had done during the internship in order
to improve so well, she and her team reported that they helped each
other set and keep their study goals (e.g. they committed to learn 15
new words every day, etc.). During this second Cohort training, we were
constantly seeing Consolee helping newer students in the mixed teams to
understand difficult concepts; they looked up to her. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
Not
everyone who was given that further opportunity of a paid internship
after the training took advantage of it, or we would have had 20 from
Cohort 1 join Cohort 2 ISTQB training. Some complained they had less
formal training structure on internship; some gave up when they were not
assigned to projects they wanted to be on, but some hunkered down and
did the work together of on-going learning and earned a second chance. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
I
am purposely reporting this story of Consolee before we have received
the results of her ASTQB exam (sometime later this week). She has
already proven that it is irrelevant whether she passes the exam (this
time). She and all the 6 embody a "not yet”, growth mindset and a
fearlessness to fail forward. They’ve also demonstrated that they are
worth hiring onto teams without this certification and that the
intangible qualities like dynamic ongoing learning is one of the most
valuable competencies to train and nurture in WeCode. Creating the safe
environment that enables that learning for women is the most fragile
part of what we do. </div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
We
hear firsthand many of the impediments these women have to overcome and
when they do, we celebrate them. I just wanted to share this so you can
join us in celebration of these amazing women. If GIZ wanted to give
some kind of award for embodying the WeCode values, Consolee would be at
the top of my pile, simply because she started further behind than
most, climbed, failed, climbed again and got there, and led several up
there with her.</div>
</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
Update on March 29, 2019: I can now add that Consolee passed her ASTQB and has CTFL after her name. Her life and opportunities are changed.</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 16px;">
Dr. Michael Pucci </div>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-67157284528304507752019-03-29T14:15:00.000-05:002019-03-29T14:54:16.205-05:00ISTQB Foundation Level Training in Rwanda - Trip #2For those of you who have been following the story of software testing in Rwanda, here is Chapter 2.<br />
<br />
I traveled to Kigali in early March, 2019. I left Oklahoma City on February 28 and arrived in Kigali on Saturday evening, March 2 about 7 p.m. (Yes, it is a long trip!)<br />
<br />
The objectives were to train another 50 women in ISTQB Foundation Level software testing certification, and to hand deliver 5 new HP notebook computers made possible through the generous donations of people through a <a href="https://uk.gofundme.com/computers-for-women-in-rwanda" target="_blank">gofundme page</a> I had set up.<br />
<br />
At first, I was hoping we could have raised a bit more to buy a few more computers, but really, 5 was all I could take with me. Thankfully, all 5 computers, plus another one I was delivering for a friend, made it without damage or being stolen. I had many people praying for their protection!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTY3QNEtV5I8VQlY4Ce76tcX3XiUtZ_Q7Aqt7W5gkDhBl2-Fv9XUP_iI_-XFp6zVCO-NtSwUzFSSjPDMoRiPItNunAp4dW8DbeDDFp_9U8qY7ZbkObZP9yb9MNivtIdyKU-xg/s1600/IMG_9083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTY3QNEtV5I8VQlY4Ce76tcX3XiUtZ_Q7Aqt7W5gkDhBl2-Fv9XUP_iI_-XFp6zVCO-NtSwUzFSSjPDMoRiPItNunAp4dW8DbeDDFp_9U8qY7ZbkObZP9yb9MNivtIdyKU-xg/s320/IMG_9083.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Computers Unpacked and Being Set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This week of training was just one week of several in the full internship program as part of the WeCode initiative that has received much help and sponsorship from Germany government’s GIZ, the Private Sector Federation and the ICT Chamber in Rwanda.<br />
<br />
Before I arrive, the ladies in the program have in-depth training on teamwork (although in the Rwandan culture, that is an inherent trait), problem solving, critical thinking, communication and many other competencies. After I leave, the ladies practice a full week on sample exams, then they have two weeks of project management training. All of the training is conducted by industry experts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmu4InGV16rvz2eZB-gJQOC89MO94g2R1FfDh9nbXHzxBYDsXw__4Cz83V8m3jZfErYsvjBq1FGK737BMkerRL5SHVs_kMUAspsa55wrGaVyeyWcl41Vqijn-maQEykZnYe7X/s1600/IMG_6847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmu4InGV16rvz2eZB-gJQOC89MO94g2R1FfDh9nbXHzxBYDsXw__4Cz83V8m3jZfErYsvjBq1FGK737BMkerRL5SHVs_kMUAspsa55wrGaVyeyWcl41Vqijn-maQEykZnYe7X/s320/IMG_6847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sampling of One of the Team's Values</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This competency-based internship led by Dr. Michael Pucci has received international acclaim. In fact, the first part of my week there, Michael was presenting about the model at a UNESCO conference in Paris. The feedback he received was overwhelmingly positive.<br />
<br />
The training I conduct there is in a 5-day format, which is different from most ISTQB Foundation Level courses, which are 3 or 4 days in length. The difference is that we go over the materials in the morning, then afternoons are for exercises. On the afternoon of Day 1, I have the ladies testing an actual software application and applying critical thinking skills.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7nqFvp9MoUGEYVbKGeSP8KI_leacPW53Mfy3IdjANDqPfAMFfU08dbXsiqWlxW-C3rtXf-G7_G2LbVlcsEYEoETaNdYSdGHtrPuJpHqxMy0v3uac9O69AOoINZEvxb8giYrq/s1600/IMG_6830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7nqFvp9MoUGEYVbKGeSP8KI_leacPW53Mfy3IdjANDqPfAMFfU08dbXsiqWlxW-C3rtXf-G7_G2LbVlcsEYEoETaNdYSdGHtrPuJpHqxMy0v3uac9O69AOoINZEvxb8giYrq/s320/IMG_6830.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 Exercises</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Throughout the week, we covered in-depth all the syllabus topics and worked in teams to complete exercises on the "Big 4" test design techniques - Equivalence Partitioning (EP), Boundary Value Analysis (BVA), Decision Tables, and State-Transition models. I worked with the teams to make sure they were applying the techniques correctly. To break things up a bit, they also did a "Vocab Jam" as a contest between teams to review terminology, along with electronic mock exams. <br />
<br />
By the end of the week, we were working through the entire testing process from start to finish. I made some comments and adjustments along the way, but at the end of the day, I was confident they had it down. Then, like in the last class, I thanked them for all their hard work and welcomed them to the profession of software testing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
When I say "hard work", I mean just that. These ladies go to extreme lengths to arrive early, stay late and work harder than any other classes I have ever taught - and in 30 years in the software testing training field, I have trained over 10,000 testers personally across every industry sector, so that is saying a lot for these ladies. Not to diminish the efforts in other classes, but for these ladies they know this is their golden opportunity to escape poverty.<br />
<br />
I read and hear the criticisms of certification, and I understand why some people feel the way they do about tester certification. In fact, at one point many years ago, I was a bit jaded myself. But seeing how these ladies worked and learned the material was truly inspiring.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://randallrice.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-wecode-story-of-consolee.html" target="_blank">Click here to read Consolee's Story</a> <br />
<br />
One might say, why certification? Why not just teach them a basic class on testing?<br />
<br />
My response to those questions are:<br />
<br />
1. There are hundred, if not thousands, of courses on software testing. I have written 70+ of them. What you get a mixed bag of techniques and terminology. Some of the content is terrible and just simply incorrect. In fact, my personal opinion is that the field of software testing has "devolved" in the level of knowledge and practice. Someone new coming into the field immediately picks up on this. The result is confusion. Which way is right? Which way is best? I agree there is no single "right" or "best" way to test software, the thing that has gotten lost in our profession is how to know which way is most effective in a given situation. While no certification is perfect, it does base one's understanding of testing in a codified, reviewed, body of knowledge. Certification is one way to achieve consistency in knowledge.<br />
<br />
2. Future customers will find value in the level of training behind the certification. I am fully aware of the certification mills that certify hundreds of people at at time just so they can point to the piece of paper. This is not that! Muraho chose the ASTQB exam because the questions are constantly measured, and ASTQB is the only exam provider that has the "Proficiency Distinction" to show that a candidate has actually demonstrated proficiency in applying the material.<br />
<br />
3. The achievement of the certification is a point of pride for these women. It should be a point of pride for anyone. All the arguments made against certification could also be made for degrees or any kind of learning for that matter. I will never take away from someone's sense of pride and accomplishment because of others who may not value it. There is an old joke that goes, "What do you call the person that finishes last in their class in medical school? Doctor." So, the certificate is the first step, experience and practice is needed after that to gain mastery.<br />
<br />
As it turned out, that Friday, March 8, was also International Women's Day, and I could think of no better way to celebrate that day than to see these 50 tired but smiling women celebrate their work. Pictures were taken and we just enjoyed them moment. I was humbled and touched by the gifts the ladies gave me and my wife (for letting me make the trip). A wonderful Rwandan shirt, and woven bowls and earrings for my wife. These gifts are special to me because they are given not out of abundance of provision, but out of pure appreciation and love.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHO2ttjb9Fprxta3Asx1nZH4L77YaPJRi_7qBZ2sGfy5DWH08ps7PsdszRLNsiU1bmMaSziQODe9enfY1U62jZiYfoiyxQno_owTILCznAtUmTAqZ83Q4CUyKq_hg7a8lE47x/s1600/IMG_6856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHO2ttjb9Fprxta3Asx1nZH4L77YaPJRi_7qBZ2sGfy5DWH08ps7PsdszRLNsiU1bmMaSziQODe9enfY1U62jZiYfoiyxQno_owTILCznAtUmTAqZ83Q4CUyKq_hg7a8lE47x/s320/IMG_6856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rwandan Coffee is Amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Saturday morning, we had a great opportunity to meet with Michael Pennick and others in the Muraho team to discuss future plans. Michael "just happened" to be in Kigali for the day. It was an awesome visit over awesome coffee.<br />
<br />
On Saturday afternoon, my host Dan Munkittrick and their housekeeper, Claude, took me to the market. It was an amazing experience to see all the food, souvenirs, hardware, household supplies all in this one place. It was like the Rwandan version of Wal-Mart, but in a bazaar setting.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImoKuTR8oa3no6oTjHSLcrbuDJS4gF9S6hXZ_PhxZDElQaMsq_0gsWCUir7UJgBpwi7p9kZkZbpbneX7rivJp-7Bg9QcqS1iE-vqR4vS9HMdtyjUCDnNMC0hhQ8JJAwtVBrKr/s1600/IMG_6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImoKuTR8oa3no6oTjHSLcrbuDJS4gF9S6hXZ_PhxZDElQaMsq_0gsWCUir7UJgBpwi7p9kZkZbpbneX7rivJp-7Bg9QcqS1iE-vqR4vS9HMdtyjUCDnNMC0hhQ8JJAwtVBrKr/s320/IMG_6881.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan with the World's Largest Package of Steel Wool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97HyMp4BIMhGLt6O2jOWZy8hYruj-sEVHNal7cDH_eWMBvczMe84sods5DkOnkKuLF1wsjmMrZmi9KA_DuhCQ-buXDBQ3UhgX2RF2OI3u_VAn7r6OEZahOGoghOVEm5NCBXZv/s1600/IMG_6887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97HyMp4BIMhGLt6O2jOWZy8hYruj-sEVHNal7cDH_eWMBvczMe84sods5DkOnkKuLF1wsjmMrZmi9KA_DuhCQ-buXDBQ3UhgX2RF2OI3u_VAn7r6OEZahOGoghOVEm5NCBXZv/s320/IMG_6887.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Green Bananas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I left for home Saturday evening, just as a storm was moving into the city, but I made it out fine and mad it home tired but safe.<br />
<br />
We just found out the exam results and learned that over the first two rounds of training, over 60% of the ladies passed the exam!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, for the "rest of the story."</b></i><br />
<br />
I know this is a very long posting and at the risk of going even longer, here goes...<br />
<br />
On the way from the airport upon my arrival in Kigali, I remarked to Dan about how unusual and impressive the last class was. I have never seen that in other classes.<br />
<br />
That started a dialog that lasted all week and involved all the leadership team of Muraho Technology on the topic of me bringing the testing services of these ladies into organizations and projects in the USA under my test leadership here in the USA.<br />
<br />
So, I am happy and excited to announce that I am actively working to engage these women on projects in a concept we call "co-sourcing." It different and better than outsourcing because we have a connection in the USA (me) and there is a native English speaking team in Rwanda (ex-patriots) who form this bridge of communication. The women themselves can communicate well in English but the USA - Rwanda connection is there to plan and manage the work.<br />
<br />
The key values in our approach to co-sourcing is Excellence and Opportunity.<br />
<br />
Yes, by working with us you are providing an amazing opportunity to the team in Rwanda, but more importantly, you will receive the excellence in service that so many companies seem to be missing in the traditional outsourcing model.<br />
<br />
You will be hearing more about this in the days and weeks to come. But, if you are intrigued, just call (405-691-8075) or e-mail me (webrequest at riceconsulting.com) to discuss it further.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading this long post!<br />
Randy<br />
<br />
<br />Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-28154829577295885132019-03-26T09:27:00.000-05:002019-03-26T09:33:36.142-05:00Press Release - Randall Rice to Address ITEA Cybersecurity Workshop<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">March 26, 2019, Oklahoma City, OK</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Randall
W. Rice, principal consultant of Rice Consulting Services, Inc. and a Director of the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (<a href="https://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">ASTQB</a>), will present a technical presentation at the International Test and Evaluation Association's (<a href="https://www.itea.org/" target="_blank">ITEA</a>) 5th Annual Cybersecurity Workshop</span></span><span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> on
Wednesday, March <sup>27th</sup>, 2019. The ITEA is the premier organization is a leading in advancing software test and evaluation, including cybersecurity, in the Department of Defense. The conference is being held near the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Belcamp, MD. Mr. Rice's talk is sponsored by the ASTQB.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rice’s topic will be “Defining Solid Security Requirements” This presentation will show how software professionals can identify the security needs of a system and an organization for the purpose of achieving secure systems. “Software requirements are a challenge for most organizations, and security requirements are even more challenging. Most companies don't consider the security requirements of a system until it is too late. Then, the main options to achieve security are patches applied during the lifespan of the system or product.” said Rice from his office in south Oklahoma City.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> "ASTQB has been a leader in advancing software quality worldwide in all forms, including cybersecurity. We are excited to share this information with the DoD community," Rice continued.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rice has been speaking at
international software testing conferences since 1990 and is a popular speaker
at conferences such as StarEast, StarWest and EuroStar.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Software testing is the activity
organizations perform to assure the software they buy or build is working
correctly. Because of the critical nature of many computer-based functions in
everything from medical devices to automobiles, software testing is an
important activity in reducing the risks of software failure. With the sharp rise in cyberattacks in all sectors, including industry and defense, security testing has become an essential way for companies to know if their security defenses are working as designed.</span></span></div>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-42994922515880868672019-01-30T16:50:00.003-06:002019-02-04T15:31:16.020-06:00Press Release - ISTQB Foundation Level Training 2018 Syllabus Now Available in e-Learning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx14EVcIVSPCFcfUzwwfCCGoW1lprFX71WegVb-92Rcz4mtDB4gDxucJWJJDjj-rVFp9DzDTgZKwoLHcNrr4bZWGowN-BfWQweRwsMsLHOcr_7l_tsYtoZ1SV4IXbp6sTbNQyt/s1600/CTFL2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx14EVcIVSPCFcfUzwwfCCGoW1lprFX71WegVb-92Rcz4mtDB4gDxucJWJJDjj-rVFp9DzDTgZKwoLHcNrr4bZWGowN-BfWQweRwsMsLHOcr_7l_tsYtoZ1SV4IXbp6sTbNQyt/s320/CTFL2018.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>News Release</b><br />
<br />
Oklahoma City, OK - January 30, 2019<br />
<br />
Rice Consulting Services, Inc. of Oklahoma City is excited to announce the availability of its course for <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/ISTQB-Training-for-Software-Tester-Certification/istqb-foundation-level-course-in-software-testing-2018.html" target="_blank">ISTQB Foundation Level Software Testing (2018 Syllabus)</a> in e-Learning format. This course is fully accredited by the <a href="https://astqb.org/" target="_blank">American Software Testing Qualifications Board</a> (ASTQB) and participants who pass the exam and complete all exercises also qualify for <a href="https://astqb.org/certifications/astqb-proficiency-distinction/" target="_blank">ASTQB's Proficiency Distinction</a>.<br />
<br />
"I am very excited about being able to offer the option of e-Learning for this new 2018 syllabus for people who are not able to attend a live classroom event. I love to interact with the students and see them attain their Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) designation, which is a big boost for their careers," said Randall Rice, VP of <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/" target="_blank">Rice Consulting</a> and creator of the training course.<br />
<br />
For more information about this course, visit <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/ISTQB-Training-for-Software-Tester-Certification/istqb-foundation-level-course-in-software-testing-2018.html">https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/ISTQB-Training-for-Software-Tester-Certification/istqb-foundation-level-course-in-software-testing-2018.html</a>.<br />
<br />
To register for the course, visit <a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CTFL2018">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CTFL2018</a><br />
<br />
For any questions about the course, including scheduling a presentation in your company, contact Randall Rice at 405-691-8075 or from <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/">https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
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<br />Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-37680325883267911972018-12-20T13:45:00.001-06:002018-12-20T13:45:16.195-06:00Recording and Slides from OKC QA Meetup Presentation - What's New in Selenium IDE 3?Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone that attended my session yesterday either in person or by Zoom meeting.<br />
<br />
Here is the link to the recording: <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/video/Whats%20New%20In%20Selenium%203b.mp4">https://www.riceconsulting.com/video/Whats%20New%20In%20Selenium%203b.mp4</a><br />
<br />
Here are the slides: <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/public_pdf/Selenium%20IDE%203.pdf">https://www.riceconsulting.com/public_pdf/Selenium%20IDE%203.pdf</a><br />
<br />
I plan to have more information about Selenium 3 available in the near future.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
<br />
RandyRandy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-39488242309452964242018-12-04T15:57:00.001-06:002019-12-05T10:58:25.733-06:00Press Release - ASTQB GTB CMG Performance Testing Certification Now Available in e-Learning Format <div class="articleBody" itemprop="articleBody">
Oklahoma City, OK - December 4, 2018<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wveSnoRItnUzoOxGLUUHMkMLx7t7-D98Z9MnLS9__5UAzn69KyEXwLNoJoxRE7CLF4niC2EOD8IAQD2M2tShzv96nArlmiWWnGCHOVr38UixgRaLpN-WeRAUPnsJmQBhWlb6/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wveSnoRItnUzoOxGLUUHMkMLx7t7-D98Z9MnLS9__5UAzn69KyEXwLNoJoxRE7CLF4niC2EOD8IAQD2M2tShzv96nArlmiWWnGCHOVr38UixgRaLpN-WeRAUPnsJmQBhWlb6/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Rice Consulting Services, Inc. of Oklahoma City announces their
newest course offering, the ASTQB GTB CMG Performance Tester
Certification Course in e-Learning format.<br />
<br />
This course is
available for private in-house presentations and in e-Learning format to
take at your own pace. Randall Rice, Principal Trainer and Consultant
of Rice Consulting Services and holder of all five advanced ISTQB Test
Certifications is the instructor in both training formats. The materials
are written by Randall Rice.<br />
<br />
"I have been working with
performance testing since 1990 and I think the information presented in
this course should be in every performance tester's skill
set. Since those early days of performance testing using stopwatches,
we have now progressed to the point where deep understanding of system
performance and the use of performance test tools is great specialty
area for testers," said Rice.<br />
<br />
There are no pre-requisites for
the course or for the exam, however, the ISTQB Foundation Level
Certification (CTFL) is recommended. Exams are not included in the base price,
but can be added, if desired.<br />
<br />
To learn more and enroll, just visit: <a href="https://mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB-Performance-Tester-Certification-Course--E-learning-Version_p_87.html">https://mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB-Performance-Tester-Certification-Course--E-learning-Version_p_87.html</a><br />
<br />
Rice Consulting Services is an accredited training provider with the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB).<br />
<br />
For further details, contact Randall Rice at 405-691-8075, or <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/">by e-mail</a>.</div>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-45441818152332007872018-11-20T13:59:00.001-06:002018-11-20T14:01:11.677-06:00Software Testing Training in RwandaIn early October, I traveled to Kigali, Rwanda to conduct an <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/ISTQB-Training-for-Software-Tester-Certification/istqb-foundation-level-course-in-software-testing-2018.html" target="_blank">ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) Foundation Level course</a> to forty-eight women who are part of <a href="http://muraho.tech/" target="_blank">Muraho Technology’s</a> internship program. Muraho Technology’s mission is to create a new industry in Rwanda focused on providing world-class software QA and testing services to North American and European organizations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvVg55h8r3jbnnx7FQcdaMbPjC1Y8CzucT5o0IP1rVzLQVGNCRk4Zwo696mfoKCYgFkxq7_3vY4Wb-Ujijgy0EHwC1QpZfyFW1EGo3EG3qSk8WEHuyBlxSmbYmP-JEcVvOg42/s1600/Muraho+Training+BVA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvVg55h8r3jbnnx7FQcdaMbPjC1Y8CzucT5o0IP1rVzLQVGNCRk4Zwo696mfoKCYgFkxq7_3vY4Wb-Ujijgy0EHwC1QpZfyFW1EGo3EG3qSk8WEHuyBlxSmbYmP-JEcVvOg42/s320/Muraho+Training+BVA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was an amazing experience. I will say at the outset that while I was one of three lead instructors (the two other trainers were Mike Penick for agile and Cindy Tempel for QA project management), the credit goes to the Muraho team for setting the table for the training. Without their preparation and support during the training, facilitating such a large group would be a very heavy load.<br />
<br />
<b>A Little Background</b><br />
<br />
In 1994, Rwanda experienced a brutal genocide as a result of civil war. In a period of 100 days, over 800,000 people were killed. After order was restored, the country was eventually able to “reset”. It is a remarkable story of forgiveness and struggle. I was able to learn about the story at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.<br />
<br />
Today, Kigali is regarded by many as one of the safest and cleanest cities in Africa. Interestingly, tech start-ups are popping up all over. However, the unemployment rate is around 80%, which makes any job opportunity valuable to the residents.<br />
<br />
The educational system has traditionally been based on rote memorization. Women in particular have experienced situations that were not supporting of learning at deeper levels, and in some cases placed obstacles in their efforts to successfully complete classes. So, weeks leading up to the training effort, dedicated effort was needed to build communication and critical thinking skills.<br />
Muraho Technology and their Canadian sister company <a href="https://iugowerx.com/" target="_blank">Iugowerx Global</a> based in Calgary, Alberta, approach the challenge of job creation in Rwanda in a unique way by investing in the women’s desire to build their careers. The goal is to create over 1,000 new jobs in QA and testing. Muraho Technology is engaged in a joint initiative of the Germany government’s <a href="https://www.giz.de/en/html/index.html" target="_blank">GIZ</a>, the Private Sector Federation and the ICT Chamber in Rwanda. There is also interest from other countries as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97b1oUtqaz2Dw6jI5JPzImi9jKxwGeYNmUXhcP_S09Q1fz-Ncpr3UUVq8jKI8Y5IMtNsue0Ij89GFEIvKIgjhDZe6QriAr8VkVHh-B9Z3m_82G7NTEjDCaSWUaQXB0Xqe_6e5/s1600/Muraho+Bridging+the+Culture+and+Language+Gap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97b1oUtqaz2Dw6jI5JPzImi9jKxwGeYNmUXhcP_S09Q1fz-Ncpr3UUVq8jKI8Y5IMtNsue0Ij89GFEIvKIgjhDZe6QriAr8VkVHh-B9Z3m_82G7NTEjDCaSWUaQXB0Xqe_6e5/s320/Muraho+Bridging+the+Culture+and+Language+Gap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura Stupin Helping to Provide Cultural Context</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As Muraho Technology's CEO, Dan Munkittrick states, "We have designed industry tailored training which includes
job readiness through competency-based learning. We have designed our learning approach to a
growth mindset. We strive to empower these
women to become the next leaders in companies, as well as in Rwanda."<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpx2deu5hvYVxOUYw365UPZK4g_sSy5eF8QC9fX3iZiaZe-wLykyV6MHreOmtKAOOBVq6ewn2ifbr0MHzj0va17EEwiEHO0f2ztSS2JqXgEBloUxarlWZclfN_4wqLq3Q6GYC/s1600/Muraho+BVA+Exercise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpx2deu5hvYVxOUYw365UPZK4g_sSy5eF8QC9fX3iZiaZe-wLykyV6MHreOmtKAOOBVq6ewn2ifbr0MHzj0va17EEwiEHO0f2ztSS2JqXgEBloUxarlWZclfN_4wqLq3Q6GYC/s320/Muraho+BVA+Exercise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>About the Training</b><br />
<br />
ISTQB Foundation training is typically presented in a three-day or four-day timeframe. We spent five days, with the mornings focused on presentations and the afternoons devoted to hands-on computer-based exercises. This is a model I plan to introduce to the USA very soon for companies that want to provide a true bootcamp immersive training experience with hands-on computer-based experiences on actual applications.<br />
<br />
The class was formed of 6 teams, with eight women in a team. I have been teaching software testing for 30 years and I can’t recall ever experiencing a training experience where the people were so engaged and functioned as true teams.<br />
<br />
What I saw were teams (not groups) that truly cared and supported each other. If one person struggled in an area, the team was there to support them.<br />
<br />
Muraho chose the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)</a> as the exam provider because of the exam quality and the orientation toward western scenarios and language. They were also able to take advantage of the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/get-certified/astqb-volume-purchase-program" target="_blank">ASTQB's Volume Purchase Program</a> of exams.<br />
<br />
Being a member of the ASTQB board of directors and an accredited training provider, I was able to facilitate the process of exam acquisition and administration.<br />
<br />
After the 5-day course and my departure to teach Advanced Security Tester Certification in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the class prepared an additional four days the following week by taking sample exams, then carefully deconstructing the questions and answers. Those who scored high enough on the sample exams were allowed to sit for the actual exam. The majority of those taking the exam passed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Xpie40Pc9bADlPdWRbSTaN0e91a-7Nz7RlKyeTv5peqBr2vLk9M1ySdBxqIw0h7e25KhCmugiyCQT6QtYWHOR_bed94r1y7mptG2BuQCRQ0YHnPOJOUZz_PoNt-coy9Huxwe/s1600/rwanda+graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="873" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Xpie40Pc9bADlPdWRbSTaN0e91a-7Nz7RlKyeTv5peqBr2vLk9M1ySdBxqIw0h7e25KhCmugiyCQT6QtYWHOR_bed94r1y7mptG2BuQCRQ0YHnPOJOUZz_PoNt-coy9Huxwe/s320/rwanda+graduation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All forty-eight women graduated the program!<br />
<br />
Some of the individual stories were inspiring and humbling. One lady walked 90 minutes each way every day to attend class – not just for the week I was there, but for the entire curriculum of training. Another rode on the back of a motorcycle 90 minutes each way every day. Another lady contracted malaria during the week I was there and had to be sent home to get treated and recover. Thankfully, she did return and complete the program.<br />
<br />
On the final day of the class, the ladies presented Mike Penick and me with beautiful wood carvings and a kilo of Rwandan coffee (which is awesome). It was very humbling to think that these ladies each contributed out of their lack to show their appreciation. That experience really touched me.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LmSj4RAhfPcj3TNVGwrcc9_hPxmefAzdCH8KDQIssVLcTZIE8DVu1LFX1lWj4cgNn1XPXWgKAmlPHYd4WEai2eATxMYmtOQDOG5-0hIYzslKGYJAogyBw0t-63qD7QuQbhTf/s1600/Muraho+gift+day+end+of+Foundation+Training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LmSj4RAhfPcj3TNVGwrcc9_hPxmefAzdCH8KDQIssVLcTZIE8DVu1LFX1lWj4cgNn1XPXWgKAmlPHYd4WEai2eATxMYmtOQDOG5-0hIYzslKGYJAogyBw0t-63qD7QuQbhTf/s320/Muraho+gift+day+end+of+Foundation+Training.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Thursday afternoon, we really worked hard on test design and how it could be applied to an actual software application. However, some concepts weren’t quite clicking.<br />
<br />
Friday morning, we took another shot at it. One of the big challenges was finding relevant examples to which the ladies could relate. Friday afternoon, we did a major exercise where the teams went through the entire testing process from test strategy to test planning, analysis, design, implementation, execution, reporting and closure. This time, the results were excellent in all the teams. <br />
<br />
Then, we repeated the process on a new version of the application as a regression test. Once again, we had success.<br />
<br />
At 4:55 p.m. on Friday, we were tired, brains were full and it was time for me to say farewell.<br />
<br />
As I was addressing the ladies, I wanted them to know the learning curve they just achieved. I had not planned my remarks, and the words just came out, “Ladies, welcome to the profession of software testing!”<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvkZc4mCBw-FrhH63tu7GRO9uzhsoQGMTME7t3Rramjh6yr8W9dd5__TtlQzOtsm9t1oIglm967Q4kixqok2kGkJ2PESvSfNOunRwx_XRyguyq9uI1mZocZv6TpCEZQvfFOZd/s1600/Muraho+Team+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvkZc4mCBw-FrhH63tu7GRO9uzhsoQGMTME7t3Rramjh6yr8W9dd5__TtlQzOtsm9t1oIglm967Q4kixqok2kGkJ2PESvSfNOunRwx_XRyguyq9uI1mZocZv6TpCEZQvfFOZd/s320/Muraho+Team+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Their response was overwhelmingly happy and I was glad to know they had successfully performed the software testing process on a live application – twice. Just to put it in context, on Monday, we were performing their very first test that was mainly exploratory.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIRYWsYS6-vMoLWf1iXgc-bc0MsIsOacFm5s0vdIJOcX-KE_0dejuCbilwiq2fL_39zdEehafPqCnLWFzHyBe-DsJlkCrTbkBYgqTEc17susyGQTC4w_fyGhoQ6bqtWnJzFO9/s1600/Muraho+TV+Interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIRYWsYS6-vMoLWf1iXgc-bc0MsIsOacFm5s0vdIJOcX-KE_0dejuCbilwiq2fL_39zdEehafPqCnLWFzHyBe-DsJlkCrTbkBYgqTEc17susyGQTC4w_fyGhoQ6bqtWnJzFO9/s320/Muraho+TV+Interview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Throughout the week, we had dignitaries and news crews visiting to see what was happening. Everyone that observed the training knew that something unique was happening. I was happy to be a part of it.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks later, <a href="https://www.astqb.org/sections/podcast-the-human-side-of-testing-building-hope-in-rwanda.php" target="_blank">Dave Stevens interviewed me for the ASTQB podcast</a> to discuss the training. His final question was, “Do you plan to return?” The question kind of caught me by surprise and I was rather unsure really how to answer it. I was a little non-committal. However, the question really got me thinking, “Yeah, Randy, what <i>will</i> you do?” I realized that I was in a unique place, in a unique role, for a purpose. <br />
<br />
Now, I’m all in. I have been asked to return in March of 2019, which I have accepted.<br />
<br />
Another question I am asked is, “What do you get out of this?” Yes, I received some compensation for the training and expenses, but it is far less than I would receive in any other training. It takes around 50 hours each way to travel the Kigali, so it’s not an easy trip, either. However, the greatest gain is the joy in serving and seeing how it can change someone’s life. For me, there is a spiritual motivation as well. I feel this as part of my calling in life.<br />
<br />
<b>How You Can Help</b><br />
<br />
As I have been tell this story, people have been asking me, “How can I help?” <br />
<br />
Please take a close look at the picture below. You will notice the poor condition of the computers <br />
these ladies are using for training. To be successful in their careers, they need better computers. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lg5dgw7E_41vgz4utpm9RPArTtByHPs0CRixO1BB3hSqh8y6n9Zkh1uaobMQUUIJc6efqcFdwpwfgzU0i6EYEaKZX-WX8h1JhZAnqWOa72EjjrHERcz3DbjMkzt6RgyUryZt/s1600/Muraho+Need+for+Better+Computers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lg5dgw7E_41vgz4utpm9RPArTtByHPs0CRixO1BB3hSqh8y6n9Zkh1uaobMQUUIJc6efqcFdwpwfgzU0i6EYEaKZX-WX8h1JhZAnqWOa72EjjrHERcz3DbjMkzt6RgyUryZt/s400/Muraho+Need+for+Better+Computers.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I have started a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/computers-for-women-in-rwanda" target="_blank">gofundme page</a> to raise the funds to buy 50 new laptop computers for Muraho Technology to provide to the ladies with a level of control to ensure the computers are used for the intended purpose. And, that’s just the start. We will need many more computers. A gift of any amount will help change the life of one of these ladies. I also appreciate the sharing of the page to spread the word. If you are able to help – Thank You!<br />
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Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-45135847834309418222018-05-31T22:40:00.001-05:002018-05-31T22:52:48.104-05:00ISTQB Advanced Security Tester Live Virtual Training in September 2018<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjscGuha4MgaQR7lrS0Xh4jFrBBdjMxRVGV9o7lFVYYXuGB-OQBXwKKYcX79pqTlzkF7QPQPcta7hFWe9cRcuugliYDE-z-QIYybA4nsyCPt7BG8WQpT99aWQV57bB4L9mYfB/s1600/hacker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjscGuha4MgaQR7lrS0Xh4jFrBBdjMxRVGV9o7lFVYYXuGB-OQBXwKKYcX79pqTlzkF7QPQPcta7hFWe9cRcuugliYDE-z-QIYybA4nsyCPt7BG8WQpT99aWQV57bB4L9mYfB/s320/hacker.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
hope you can take advantage of a unique opportunity to attend live
virtual training for the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester certification in September.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dates of the course are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT on Sept. 10 - 13, 2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
will be the instructor of the course. As chair of the ISTQB Advanced
Security Tester Working Group, I can bring a unique perspective to the
training and prepare you to take the exam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's what you need to know:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.
This is a live virtual class that you can take from your desk or home.
You will be able to interact with me, ask questions, make comments, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.
This will be an intensive course with over 20 exercises. I will present
some material, then we will have exercise time. At the completion of
each exercise, I give my perspective about the solutions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. We will go over every question in the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/documents/Advanced-Security-Sample-Exam-Questions.pdf">ASTQB Sample Exam</a> after each major section in the syllabus. There are nine sections in the syllabus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.
If you can't make all the sessions, I am also including the e-learning
version at no extra cost so you can make-up any sessions needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5.
The exam is not included in the price of the course. However, the exam
can be added for $200. You can use the exam voucher at any Kryterion
exam center. Please note that while anyone may take the course and gain a
lot from it, in order for you to take the exam, you must first hold the
ISTQB Foundation Certification (CTFL) and have 3 or more years relevant
experience in software testing or a related field.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6.
The course also includes a printed workbook. Please allow 5 - 7 days
for printing and shipping the book to you. If you live outside of the
USA, allow 14 days to receive the book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. After August 31, the registration price increases by $200. So, it's best to register soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Before registering for the class, please <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/Security-Testing/istqb-advanced-security-tester-course.html" target="_blank">review the course outline</a> and <a href="https://www.astqb.org/documents/Advanced-Security-Tester-Syllabus-GA-2016.pdf" target="_blank">ISTQB Advanced Security Tester syllabus</a>
so you will be aware of the topics we will cover. While we do cover
penetration testing, this is not a class on penetration testing. This
certification and course covers many aspects of cybersecurity and the
testing of security defenses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9.
You will leave the class with an increased knowledge of how to help
protect your organization by testing your security defenses to ensure
they are working effectively.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. This course is fully accredited by the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">ASTQB</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. You can register at <a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Security_Tester_Certification_Course_p/istqbseclv.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Security_Tester_Certification_Course_p/istqbseclv.htm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me by phone (405-691-8075) or through the contact form at <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/">http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope to see you in the course!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Randy</span>Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-83474143069633195672018-05-17T14:12:00.000-05:002018-05-17T14:12:19.943-05:00Upcoming Courses and Other News<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you have had a great week!
I recently finished teaching a two-day live virtual private course on Basic Training in Software Testing. One of the students said it sounded like I was in the room with them. We had a great time together, even though the course was virtual. They even got to hear some of my humor (tasteful, of course) and stories from the trenches of testing!
I just want to let you know there are two courses on my public live virtual schedule. Both courses are guaranteed to run. I will be the instructor for both courses.
June 19 - 21, 2018 - ISTQB Foundation Course - This will be my only live public presentation of this course this summer. It's a great opportunity to get personal live training for the ISTQB CTFL certification. To learn more and to register, please visit <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Foundation_Level_Course_in_Software_Testing_p/ctfllv.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Foundation_Level_Course_in_Software_Testing_p/ctfllv.htm</a>
August 1 and 2, 2018 - UAT Fast-Track Course - This is a two afternoon course designed to get you going in User Acceptance Testing right away. This is a complete coverage of UAT practices and processes that teaches true real-world system validation from the business user perspective. To register and learn more, please visit <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/Structured_User_Acceptance_Testing_Live_Virtual_p/uat-lv.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/Structured_User_Acceptance_Testing_Live_Virtual_p/uat-lv.htm</a>
QAI Quest 2018 - I will be speaking at QAI's Quest conference in San Antonio next week. This is a great conference. Great sessions, lots of networking opportunities, great food, all in the San Antonio Riverwalk area. I'll be doing my famous (or infamous) "Becoming an Influential Test Team Leader" tutorial on Monday, a test management workshop all day on Tuesday, and then on Thursday, "Building Your Credibility as a Test Leader." If you are attending, please connect and say "Hi!" It is still possible to register, but time is almost up, so act fast if you want to attend. <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://qaiquest.org/2018">http://qaiquest.org/2018</a>
ASTQB Webinar - I will be conducting a free webinar on Thursday, May 24 for ASTQB on "Defining Solid Software Security Requirements". If you find defining security requirements a challenge, I will present some ideas that may help.
User stories, while helpful to define functions, are typically not detailed enough to define both intended and unintended behavior of a system, especially in the context of information security.
Unfortunately, industry metrics tell us that the great majority of software defects (security and others) can be traced back to flawed or missing requirements.
In this session, I will cover:
. The lifecycle view of software requirements and security
. Stakeholder involvement in gathering and documenting requirements for software security
. The importance of clearly defining the security aspects of a system
. How to drive the scope of requirements by understanding known threats and available defenses
. How to define “misuse cases”
. How to revise and maintain software requirements when threats change, new threats emerge or new features are added to the system
You may register for the live webinar at <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5774716823412850689">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5774716823412850689</a>
Please note that these sessions fill up very fast and if you are able to register, it's a good idea to show up 10 - 15 minutes early to make sure you can get a spot. There are limited slots available. (This webinar will be recorded and made available on the ASTQB website following the webinar.)
=======
Finally...One of the great rewards in being a trainer and consultant is to see people succeed in building their careers. One story in particular is that of Tammy Khan, who has achieved 11 ISTQB/ASTQB certifications since last fall. It was my pleasure to help her in that effort. Way to go, Tammy! You can read her story here - <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.astqb.org/press-room/astqb-newsletter-2018-2.php">https://www.astqb.org/press-room/astqb-newsletter-2018-2.php</a>
Feel free to contact me with any questions by just replying to this e-mail.
I would love to see you at one of these events!</span></pre>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-29643203304492708812018-04-17T18:59:00.000-05:002018-04-17T18:59:21.027-05:00ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE) Now Available in e-Learning Format<pre wrap=""></pre>
I am excited to let you know about my newest course offering, the ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE).<br />
<br />
This course is available for private in-house presentations and in e-Learning format to take at your own pace. I am the instructor in both training formats. The materials are written by Grove Consultants.<br />
<br />
I have been working with test automation since 1988 and I think the information presented in this course should be in every test automator's knowledgebase and skill sets. Since those early days of test automation, we have now progressed to the point where test automation is an essential skill for testers.<br />
<br />
Although anyone can take this course, to take the exam you must first hold the ISTQB Foundation Level certification (CTFL) and have 3 or more years experience in software testing or a related field.
Exams are not included in the base price, but can be added, if desired.<br />
<br />
To learn more and enroll, just visit:
<a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Test_Automation_Engineer_e_Learning_p/advate.htm" target="_blank">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Test_Automation_Engineer_e_Learning_p/advate.htm</a><br />
<br />
For a limited time, I am offering a $100 off discount!<br />
<br />
I have also created a special 5-person team license for the e-Learning course.
<a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Test_Automation_Engineer_e_Learning_Team_p/advate5.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Test_Automation_Engineer_e_Learning_Team_p/advate5.htm</a><br />
<br />
One more thing...
I am planning to conduct a live virtual presentation of the ISTQB Foundation Level course on June 19 - 21, 2018 (Tuesday - Thursday).<br />
<br />
I will be the instructor of this all-inclusive training offering - one electronic exam and physical notebook are included. Plus, you get 3-months access to the e-learning following the course!
<a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Foundation_Level_Course_in_Software_Testing_p/ctfllv.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Foundation_Level_Course_in_Software_Testing_p/ctfllv.htm</a><br />
<br />
I hope to see you at one of these events!
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-18534327343099126862017-10-18T09:46:00.001-05:002017-10-18T09:50:15.804-05:00Slides from Today's Talk at the OKC QA MeetupHi everyone,<br />
<br />
Here are the slides I presented at the OKC Meeting lunch meeting. If we have a recording, I'll post it here soon as well. Thanks!<br />
<br />
Slides - <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/public_pdf/Value%20of%20ISTQB%20Certification.pdf" target="_blank">QA Certifications - Why They are Beneficial and How to Get Them</a><br />
<br />
Report - <a href="https://www.riceconsulting.com/public_pdf/The%20Value%20of%20ISTQB%20Certification%20v3.pdf" target="_blank">The Value of ISTQB Certification</a>Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-33099472985770479452017-09-24T22:27:00.000-05:002017-09-24T22:27:40.587-05:00Randall Rice to Present Talk at the 28th Annual IEEE Software Technology Conference<b>Oklahoma City, OK, September 25, 2017: </b> Randall Rice, internationally-recognized author, consultant and trainer in software testing and cyber security testing will be speaking this week at the 28th Annual IEEE Software Technology Conference in Gaithersburg, MD.<br />
<br />
Mr. Rice's presentation on Wednesday, September 27th is on the topic of "Training and Certifying Security Testers Beyond Penetration Testing". His presentation is sponsored by the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB).<br />
<br />
"When asking senior-level executives or security administrators about the adequacy of their organizations’ information security defenses, most people will list things such as encryption, firewalls, malware protection, and so forth. When asked, 'How effective are your defenses?' most people can’t give a definitive answer because the defenses have not been tested in a continuous and holistic way. Many people believe the status quo position that penetration testing is all that is needed to find security vulnerabilities," explains Rice.<br />
<br />
To help meet the need of training software testers and others in how to perform security testing as a specialty practice, the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) has developed an Advanced Level Security Tester syllabus and exam which leads to the CTAL-SEC designation. The American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) administers this certification in the United States. The goal is to provide the information needed to train people in performing security testing at an advanced level.<br />
<br />
Mr. Rice is a board member of the ASTQB and is the leader of the international working group that developed the Advanced Level Security Tester syllabus.<br />
<br />
This syllabus is freely available from the ASTQB web site at <a href="http://www.astqb.org/">http://www.astqb.org</a> and draws from sources such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) to describe the in-depth knowledge needed to test the security of systems and applications of all types. This syllabus and certification covers the topic of penetration testing, but goes beyond penetration testing to test internal controls and procedures, identify vulnerabilities at the code level, perform security risk assessments, understand the tools available for security testing and how to design and conduct effective security tests.<br />
<br />
In this presentation, Mr. Rice will present:<br />
<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An overview of the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester syllabus topics<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How the certification works<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How this certification differs from other security certifications<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How this certification is compatible with NICE’s ongoing efforts and how this relates to the various framework analyses already underway<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The intended audience for the training<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The value of the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester certifications to testers and to organizations<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Randall W. Rice, is a highly specialized trainer and consultant in the field of software testing and cyber security testing with clients in every industry sector, including defense and finance. He is the co-author with William E. Perry of two books, “Surviving the Top Ten Challenges of Software Testing” and “Testing Dirty Systems.”</div>
Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-42697156588002068842017-09-20T10:50:00.002-05:002017-09-20T10:50:37.383-05:00ASTQB Summit RecapHi Everyone,<br />
<br />
I just want to thank everyone who helped make the recent ASTQB Summit in Newport Beach, CA a success. Our team did a great job with handling marketing and logistics, as well as the technical program. Our speakers did a great job (I'm not sure about that Rice guy...).<br />
<br />
But most of all, I want to thank those that support ASTQB and spent last Friday to expand their knowledge and collaborate with other testers. We had people in attendance from all over the country!<br />
<br />
I told people in my sessions that I would have my slides posted to the blog, but as a board we decided it would be more fair to those who paid to attend the event to have exclusive access to the materials. So, if you were in attendance you will soon be receiving an e-mail with instructions on how to get the content.<br />
<br />
If you have any questions about anything I said in my three presentations (by the way, thanks also to my co-presenter Taz Daughtrey in the Mobile Testing and Security Testing Workshop), please feel free to add a comment/question below. I got a bit edgy in my Agile presentation, but sometimes I just feel I have to say it like I see it. I will have some articles and perhaps webinars in the coming days to flesh out those thoughts.<br />
<br />
Thanks again!<br />
<br />
RandyRandy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-13495035865595637762017-06-15T11:59:00.001-05:002017-06-15T11:59:29.975-05:00Become an ISTQB Advanced Level Certified Tester - Live Virtual Class Forming for July 31 - Aug 3, 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItRTqHc0qvqTfNT6vI6wY03YMZis1QerC0vjXwaic2WDaxoBeHOM-mCQpKJ8npQIV3hAcDKwGSnXxbqOhpL0EqtjKu_5Bn9vvqtZE4P0Q96gvctYHzNMXE22fREq-ItbeOcWL/s1600/hacker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="450" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItRTqHc0qvqTfNT6vI6wY03YMZis1QerC0vjXwaic2WDaxoBeHOM-mCQpKJ8npQIV3hAcDKwGSnXxbqOhpL0EqtjKu_5Bn9vvqtZE4P0Q96gvctYHzNMXE22fREq-ItbeOcWL/s320/hacker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you can take advantage of a unique opportunity to attend live virtual training for the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester certification this Summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dates of the course are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT on July 31 - August 3, 2017.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be the instructor of the course. As chair of the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester Working Group, I can bring a unique perspective to the training and prepare you to take the exam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what you need to know:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. This is a live virtual class that you can take from your desk or home. You will be able to interact with me, ask questions, make comments, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. This will be an intensive course with over 20 exercises. I will present some material, then we will have exercise time. At the completion of each exercise, I give my perspective about the solutions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. We will go over every question in the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/documents/Advanced-Security-Sample-Exam-Questions.pdf">ASTQB Sample Exam</a> after each major section in the syllabus. There are nine sections in the syllabus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. If you can't make all the sessions, I am also including the e-learning version at no extra cost so you can make-up any sessions needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The exam is not included in the price of the course. However, the exam can be added for $200. You can use the exam voucher at any Kryterion exam center. Please note that while anyone may take the course and gain a lot from it, in order for you to take the exam, you must first hold the ISTQB Foundation Certification (CTFL) and have 3 or more years relevant experience in software testing or a related field.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. The course also includes a printed workbook. Please allow 5 - 7 days for printing and shipping the book to you. If you live outside of the USA, allow 14 days to receive the book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. After July 15, the registration price increases by $200. So, it's best to register soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Before registering for the class, please <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/Security-Testing/istqb-advanced-security-tester-course.html" target="_blank">review the course outline</a> and <a href="https://www.astqb.org/documents/Advanced-Security-Tester-Syllabus-GA-2016.pdf" target="_blank">ISTQB Advanced Security Tester syllabus</a> so you will be aware of the topics we will cover. While we do cover penetration testing, this is not a class on penetration testing. This certification and course covers many aspects of cybersecurity and the testing of security defenses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. You will leave the class with an increased knowledge of how to help protect your organization by testing your security defenses to ensure they are working effectively.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. This course is fully accredited by the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">ASTQB</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. You can register at <a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Security_Tester_Certification_Course_p/istqbseclv.htm">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/ISTQB_Adv_Security_Tester_Certification_Course_p/istqbseclv.htm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me by phone (405-691-8075) or through the contact form at <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/">http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to see you in the course!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Randy</span><br />
<br />
<br />Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-39686912277654288832017-04-25T13:05:00.002-05:002017-04-25T19:58:49.382-05:00New Monthly Subscription Pricing for e-Learning Courses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>News Release</b></div>
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<b>Oklahoma City, OK 73170</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>April 25, 2017</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We are excited to announce a new way for software
testers and business analysts to get the training you need to grow your career,
with an affordable monthly membership that gives you maximum flexibility and
choice in the topics you can explore.</div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Plus, you will become part of an active online
community of other people who are also learning and growing in their careers.</span><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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<br />
Now, we offer three ways to gain access to excellent
e-Learning courses designed to help you expand your career in new areas:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monthly membership
(individual)</b> - $49.99 USD/month gives you access to over 19 e-Learning
courses that cover topics such as Basic Training in Software Testing, SOA
Testing, Cloud Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Test Automation and many
others, with new courses scheduled to be added to the catalog monthly. You can
cancel your membership at any time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Certification track
membership (individual)</b> - $69.99 USD/month gives you access to all the regular
monthly membership courses, PLUS our popular ISTQB Foundation Level Course in
Software Testing, ASTQB Mobile Tester Certification, and IQBBA Foundation
Certification for Business Analysts. (The ISTQB Agile Foundation will be
included in the near future.) <b>Exams are not included and a 3-month minimum
membership is required</b>. Advanced certification courses are not included.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fixed-price courses
(individual)</b> – This is our current pricing plan for all courses and includes
lifetime access to the materials. You pay one price for one course. All of our
e-learning courses will still be available as fixed-price courses. The only way
we are offering ISTQB Advanced Certification courses is with fixed pricing. In the
fixed price plan, exams are included for most courses with the exception of the
ISTQB Advanced Security Tester certification. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plan may be the most workable for people
who are getting reimbursed by their employer for the training.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is the explainer video: <a href="https://youtu.be/X6pvEIkN7JY" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/X6pvEIkN7JY</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f7QXp4auJROjWa8Kp5oXs1cE8sjcJPaVwmGw6w-t8Au8S7Flu0PDi94a3-ipsW_smZQQWEZ0Ve6fBmTwbjvhVZlIFdHQKQtIr81lfihsVRaZqIHfOfKzzt-8F8Ccg0mayU0e/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f7QXp4auJROjWa8Kp5oXs1cE8sjcJPaVwmGw6w-t8Au8S7Flu0PDi94a3-ipsW_smZQQWEZ0Ve6fBmTwbjvhVZlIFdHQKQtIr81lfihsVRaZqIHfOfKzzt-8F8Ccg0mayU0e/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All pricing plans can be quoted for teams and enterprises
upon request.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a member at any of the three levels, you have e-mail
access to Randy to ask questions about the content of the course(s) you are
taking. In addition, you will get member-only access to special webinars and
early access to new course material and other content that Randy is creating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These e-Learning courses are not just a collection of
videos. Rather, they are complete course experiences with the same course notes
you would see in a live classroom setting (the notes are shown in a PDF viewer
that allows them to be printed), along with quizzes and exercises. The
exercises are optional, but do reinforce the concepts in the course. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of the courses are presented by <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/bio-of-randy-rice.html" target="_blank">Randall (Randy) Rice</a>, a
well-known author, consultant and trainer in the field of software testing,
quality assurance and business analysis. Randy holds all ISTQB Foundation and
Advanced Core Certifications, as well as the ISTQB Advanced Security Tester
Certification. He has over 39 years of software development and testing
experience, with the past 29 years specializing in software testing consulting
and training. Randy is on the board of the <a href="http://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Upon the completion of a course and the submission of the
course evaluation, you will receive a certificate in PDF format.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more and to enroll, just visit <a href="https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com/">https://www.mysoftwaretesting.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For questions and custom price quotes, please contact Randy Rice at 405-691-8075 or from the "Contact Us" link at <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com./">http://www.riceconsulting.com.</a></div>
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Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-13176365861406696582017-04-14T13:36:00.002-05:002017-04-14T13:41:29.036-05:00My Experience at the Quest 2017 Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was honored to be asked to present a half-day tutorial and track session at QAI's Quest 2017 Conference last week in Chicago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have spoken at testing conferences since 1989, with only two years since then that I have sat out a year. So, I've been to a lot of these rodeos worldwide. In fact, I chaired the QAI International Software Testing Conference (1995 - 2000), so I know what it takes to keep everything on track.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's from that background that I write this. My intent is not to take away from any other conference. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have conferences on the schedule yet for this year.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the way, this blog post was not solicited. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just feel that when someone does a great job, recognition is deserved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was blown away by this conference for several reasons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Outstanding management </b>- Tom Ticknor, Nancy Kastl, Anna Zucker and the rest of the team did a great job of making sure everything ran like clockwork. The weather turned rather bad on Wednesday (40F, 40 - 50 mph winds and rain), so the planned dinner cruise was still held on the boat, but it was enclosed and we never left the dock. It was also very challenging to get a few hundred people on busses and over to Navy Pier, but we all made it and a good time was had by all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Outstanding volunteers</b> - All the track hosts and other volunteers did a great job. In my experience, you can't pull off a great conference without great volunteers to make sure all the little things are handled. Thanks much to Kenneth Brown, who was my track host for both sessions. You rock!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A strong sense of community</b> - I felt like I was among friends - and I was. In fact, in some cases, it was like old home week to see friends from the past QAI and CQAA events. I was able to strike up conversations with everyone I met. This was not a huge conference in terms of attendance, but for me it was just the right size - not too big, not too small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wide representation</b> - This was not just a local Chicago event. There were people from much of the USA there, as well as from about a dozen other countries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Great sessions</b> - From the keynotes to the track sessions, I did not experience a bad session. Good content plus good speaking ability equals a great session. Also, the selection of topics was wide enough to cover just about anyone's topics of interest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Solid content</b> - Speaking of content, one of the things that concerns me about the current state of testing is that we are taking our eyes off the main thing - testing and quality. Most testers think QA and testing are the same thing (they aren't). One thing that was striking to me was that in every session I attended, the concepts were solid, with very practical ways to apply the ideas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Awesome food</b> - I can't say I ever had filet mignon for lunch at a conference before, but I did last week. I don't fly for the dining experience, and I don't expect a lot from conference fare, but really - bacon and eggs for breakfast every day? That's good stuff. Plus, the dinner cruise food was very good. Kudos to the Renaissance hotel for the preparation and for the Quest team for the menu selections.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Informative expo</b> - The reality is most vendors go to the larger conferences because that is where the numbers are. But, how many of those people are the decision makers? I spoke with most of the vendors in the expo and found that they all had great offerings. I expect there were a fair number of decision-makers at the conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The negatives? I can't think of any.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I highly recommend this conference to anyone looking for any of the above things. If you are in the software testing or software quality field and live in the mid-west, attending the Quest Conference is a no-brainer. I hope to attend again in the future!</span><br />
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Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24100580.post-48429362639149439982017-04-13T21:58:00.001-05:002017-04-13T21:59:47.564-05:00Rice Consulting's IQBBA BA Certification Course is Accredited by the ASTQB<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Press Release</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Rice Consulting Announces Accreditation of New IQBBA Business Analyst Certification Training Course</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Learn how to improve the quality of IT projects by understanding and documenting user needs in clear and understandable ways.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Oklahoma City, OK, April 14, 2017: </b> Randall Rice, internationally-recognized author, consultant and trainer in software testing and business analysis is excited to announce the accreditation of his newest course, <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/Business-Analyst-Training/certified-foundation-level-business-analyst-course-cflba.html" target="_blank">IQBBA Foundation Level Certification Course</a> by the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/" target="_blank">American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a course designed for business analysts and others who are looking for effective ways to gather and document user needs for projects in their organization. This course teaches people best practices in how to deliver projects that meets user needs and expectations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course is based on the <a href="https://www.astqb.org/documents/CFLBA_Syllabus_v1.1.pdf" target="_blank">Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA) Syllabus</a> from the <a href="http://www.iqbba.org/" target="_blank">International Qualification Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA)</a>. Accreditation verifies that the course content covers the certification syllabus and glossary. In addition, the reviewers ensure that the course covers the materials at the levels indicated in the syllabus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Regardless of the project methodology in place, unless the user need is fully understood and articulated, a complete and correct solution cannot be delivered. Failure to capture the user needs is one key reason that around 30% of projects never reach successful implementation,” explained Randall Rice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ASTQB president, Debbie Friedenberg, says, "We believe that the IQBBA's internationally-recognized Business Analyst certification is of great importance to the profession, especially as we see the Business Analysis continuing to gain importance in the coming years."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This course is currently available on an on-site basis and in online e-Learning format. For further details, visit <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/">http://www.riceconsulting.com</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To schedule a course to be presented in your company, contact Randall Rice at 405-691-8075 or by <a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/component/com_formmaker/Itemid,453/id,1/view,formmaker/" target="_blank">e-mail</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.riceconsulting.com/home/index.php/bio-of-randy-rice.html" target="_blank">Randall W. Rice</a>, author and trainer of the course is a Certified Tester, Advanced Level and is on the Board of Directors of the ASTQB. He is the co-author with William E. Perry of two books, “<a href="http://amzn.to/2p1TTjM" target="_blank">Surviving the Top Ten Challenges of Software Testing</a>” and “<a href="http://amzn.to/2osjuz1" target="_blank">Testing Dirty Systems</a>.”</span><br />
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Randy Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17967655042475308182noreply@blogger.com0