A Test Pyramid Heresy: a fresh look at test automation strategies - John Ferguson Smart

Talk Description

The Test Pyramid is a staple in Test Automation theory, and is used by many teams as a cornerstone of their test automation strategy. But is it still the best model for modern development practices? Are there better and more efficient ways of thinking about test automation today?

Test automation is nowadays essential in any project, but inefficient test automation is increasingly becoming a major cause of waste and, ironically, delay. Test suites need to be lean, slick and efficient, with just enough tests (and the right kind of tests!) at each level to provide confidence, but not so many as to slow down the test suite or increase maintenance costs. And automation requirements vary wildly from one kind of project to another. The way we think about test automation strategy clearly needs a rehaul.

Drawn from approaches such as Lean, Behaviour Driven Development, and Outside-in Development, this talk presents a different way of looking at test automation, one that will help you focus your test automation efforts where they will add real value.

You will never look at a pyramid in the same way again!

Join the discussion about TestBash Belfast over at The Club

By the end of this session, you'll be able to:

John

John is an experienced author, speaker and trainer specialising in Agile Delivery Practices currently based in London. An international speaker well known in the Agile community for his many published articles and presentations, particularly in areas such as BDD, TDD, test automation, software craftsmanship and team collaboration, John helps organisations and teams around the world deliver better software sooner and more effectively both through more effective collaboration and communication techniques, and through better technical practices.

John is also the author of 'BDD in Action', 'Jenkins: The Definitive Guide', and 'Java Power Tools', and lead developer of the Serenity BDD test automation library.