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QAAM - Quality Assurance Association of Maryland

"Have a Quality Day!"

QAAM May Meeting Announcement


Date: May 11, 2010


To register for the current meeting is simple; just click on the Meeting Registration link, above.

Topic: Role of a Tester or Quality Analyst in Agile Development

Location: Snyder's Willow Grove Restaurant - Linthicum, MD
Presenters:
Mr. Bill Rinko-Gay
Host Company: N/A
Registration: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening Remarks: 9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
Presentation: 9:05 AM – 12 Noon
Lunch: 12 Noon – 1:00 PM
Q & A: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Meeting Abstract
Agile methods are becoming increasingly popular.  But while significant information and literature exists to describe the management and development frameworks for an Agile project, the Quality Assurance framework has been largely unexplored.  This presentation will discuss:

  • A definition of Quality Assurance and Testing on an Agile Project

  • A QA Framework that supports Agile methods

  • Fitting the QA activities into the Agile iterations

  • The skills the Agile Quality Analyst must have

The Quality Assurance approach to Agile is still largely broken into two camps.  One camp says that Quality is built into the Agile methodology so there is no need for an additional Quality Assurance role.  The other camp still focuses the iteration on the development aspects and asks the Quality Assurance team (often really the Test team) to bolt its activities on after development is through.  This framework makes Quality Assurance an integral part of the process and includes both Development and Test  phases(or the Dev-Test phase as I prefer to view it) within the iteration. The result is much more robust code at the end of the iteration and a scalable enterprise approach to Agile.

 

This process doesn’t work unless you have the right people for the role, and the QA role is significantly different  in Agile methods than in traditional methods.  After briefly describing the Agile Quality Framework, we will discuss the skills that the Agile Quality Analyst needs and how to go about finding those skills.



Speaker Bio


Bill Rinko-Gay is an Agile Quality Assurance Lead for the Eliassen Group partnering with ScrumMasters.  Bill has been involved in Software Test and Quality Assurance since 1982 when he began testing command and control software for orbiting satellites for the US Air Force.  Frustrated with the lack of structure in the testing program Bill began working on a more comprehensive approach to software quality.  Since leaving the DOD Bill has worked on projects in defense, computer manufacturing, publishing, computer security, financial, state and local governments.  With experience in development teams ranging in size from three to sixty and in the middle of his third decade in the field, Bill is still looking for techniques to allow teams to work well.  His most recent work is in Agile methodologies, and the role of Software Quality Assurance in these methodologies.  Bill currently holds PMP and CSQA certifications.



Directions to the Meeting

Directions to Snyder's Willow Grove Restaurant
841 North Hammonds Ferry Rd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-789-1149

From outer loop of Baltimore beltway (I-695) heading East:
Take I-695 east to Exit 8 (Hammonds Ferry / Nursery Roads). Snyder's Restaurant is visible as you exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. Take the first right into Snyder's parking lot.

From inner loop of Baltimore beltway (I-695) heading west: 
Take I-695 west to exit 8 (Nursery Road). Stay to the right and turn right at the traffic light for Nursery Road. At second traffic light, turn right onto Hammonds Ferry Road and follow to Snyder's on the right.

Registration

If you would like to attend the May QAAM meeting, please go to www.qaam.org by May 7, 2010 or email your name, company and phone number to susan.burgess@keane.com to register.

 

On the website  Click on QAAM meetings

  • Click on meeting registration 

  • Complete the meeting registration form

  • Click on send.

If you have questions about the meeting or would like to register after May 7th call Susan Burgess at 571-232-0683 or Ann Clarke at 410-750-1926.

 

Fee for attending the meeting is $ 35.00 and includes continental breakfast and lunch.  QAAM does not accept credit cards. 

 

HAVE A QUALITY DAY !