Peerscon - Quality is a Ballet
13 Mar 2026
All the talks at Peerscon 2026 were fabulous and I have scattered notes from each talk that I need to dissect and move forward with.
However, I thought I'd share a very unique talk from Ester Greenwood on Quality is Ballet. Ester herself does ballet and should used a "Ballet Company" as a system and explain the units such us each person, the costume, the musical instrument etc. and how they need to integrate seamlessly. She explained that ballet couldn't be more shift left testing, with rehearsals with individuals and groups, environments being rooms select mimic the slope of the real stage and lots more comparisons to systems which hit well.
Well I now know a lot more about ballet! (rest assured my slippers are firmly locked away)
The beautiful closing moment was when she explained the purpose of ballet or art in general...which is to create a feeling. Quality is a feeling.
However, I thought I'd share a very unique talk from Ester Greenwood on Quality is Ballet. Ester herself does ballet and should used a "Ballet Company" as a system and explain the units such us each person, the costume, the musical instrument etc. and how they need to integrate seamlessly. She explained that ballet couldn't be more shift left testing, with rehearsals with individuals and groups, environments being rooms select mimic the slope of the real stage and lots more comparisons to systems which hit well.
Well I now know a lot more about ballet! (rest assured my slippers are firmly locked away)
The beautiful closing moment was when she explained the purpose of ballet or art in general...which is to create a feeling. Quality is a feeling.
Gary Hawkes
Head of Engineering
He/Him
Head of Engineering who came from QE. Admirer of all humans (with a special affinity for testers). I love to bring out the best in people and help them grow. I have a very tactical view of delivery and love working to find the sweet spot so that processes are a balance between effort and value. Music nut.
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Ady Stokes
Sounds facinating. You could add a PeersCon tag and create a collection? Just a thought.
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