Independent Testing as a Fair Judge of Quality Assessment

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Independent Testing. Remote teams risks
Angelina Friz QATestLab Program Manager
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About me
6 years experience in project management
4 years experience in team management
favorite methodology is Agile
managing currently simultaneously 8 teams
the largest team is 11 testers
fond of rally the troops )
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Despite providing an objective evaluation of
software quality, independent testing conducted
by remote team hides several pitfalls. But they
can be avoided. How?
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The Advantages of Independent Testing

• Fresh view on product quality
• Available testing means
• Separate budget
• Internal team management

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The Disadvantages of Independent Testing

• Poor communication
• Lack of process transparency
• Cultural barriers
• Language barriers

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Improper Communication
Well-established communication is the key to
effective cooperation, especially in case of
distant collaboration.
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Communication Types for Remote Teams

• Asynchronous communication across multiple time
  zones
• Synchronous communication in real life via a
  certain channel
• Interpersonal communication for long-term projects

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Solution

• Prioritize communications according to their
  purpose
• Be flexible and keep tracking team availability
• Share non-work-related content
• 'Celebrate' project successes together
• Watch out misinterpretations in messages

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Problem Lack of Process Transparency
Clearly distributed zones of responsibility will
minimize the risks of conflicts of interest
within the project team. Create a central hub to
make the project activities available for each
team member.
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Solution

• Create a centralized virtual office
• Ensure an easy way of document sharing
• Keep in touch with your team
• Encourage feedback

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Problem Absence of Trust within Project Team
Being the basis of productive cooperation, trust
should be earned and maintained even within
virtual project team where you probably will
never meet your teammate in person.
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Solution 1
Being initially open for cooperation, the members
of project team trust each other on the nod. But
trust should be obligatory justified during the
workflow to establish interpersonal relationships.
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Solution 2
In teams with trust-based relations,
communication happens according to predictable
patterns. By sharing and rotating power, you
establish stronger relations and show your trust.
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Problem Language Barriers
Correct grammar and proper syntax are the basis
for flawless activities. But what you say is not
always what you mean.
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Problem Cultural Barriers

• Cultural specific issues can be connected with
• Management hierarchy
• Notion of agreement
• Process / result orientation
• Attitude to deadlines
• Direct-spoken character

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Solution

• Learn about your vendor's culture
• Identify cultural issues related to business
• Determine what issues can be accommodated
• Mind the ability for empathy
• Create 'team profile'

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An effective cooperation with remote QA team is
possible due to the techniques and practices that
help to avoid and prevent the risks of distant
collaboration.
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Contacts
E-mail contact_at_qa-testlab.com
Twitter QATestLab
Phone [phone] Address 154a,
Borschagivska str., 03056, Kiev, Ukraine
Web-site qatestlab.com
SkypeID sales.qatestlab
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Thanks