The Ahh Test naturally shifts “quality” left as part of every interaction.

This is part of The Ahh Test collection.

The point of the Ahh Test is to help us make better decisions. Quicker. Earlier. Clearly communicated. And for anyone in the team to be able to make use of. It is a whole team effort.

By asking, does this pass the Ahh Test? The Ahh Test naturally shifts “quality” left as part of every interaction. Very much similar how we shift testing left, making decisions earlier, in any part of the business is going to prevent costly mistakes further down the line.

The Ahh Test is for everyone. Because everyone should be caring about the system they are building. Different perspectives matter.

The Ahh Test asks everyone to dig deep, continuously. We can all learn to identify when the ahh arises, or whether it exists.

The Ahh Test is a single word with clear impact. A simple mutually-understood word, mentioned in conversation, within meetings, on Slack, or however you communicate, is understood in an instant.

The Ahh Test is a dynamic operational north star. Sometimes our north stars feel too vague or out of touch. The Ahh Test connects our day to day work with our north stars.

The Ahh Test creates a sense of shared ownership. We can all be empowered to say or spot it. This is how everyone owns quality shows up in real life.

The Ahh Test helps us celebrate. We can look at our work and recognise our progress.

The Ahh Test taps into our emotions, experience and recognition of insights. Stating that something doesn’t feel right, opens up the conversation to the why. This then encourages input from others. It can be enlightening and encourage others to speak up too.

The Ahh Test can be used to explore ideas. Our wish lists of “wouldn’t it be amazing if...” or “how would you feel if we shipped this?”

There are no limits to the Ahh Test.

Next up, in a moment, let's look at The Uggh Test.