Mind mapping your testing strategy
Posted on 19. Apr, 2010 by Anne-Marie Charrett in BlogRoll, tools
I recently was asked to do a talk on software testing for a group of iPhone developers. I decided to speak to them at a practical level and talk about how I approach software testing, as I wanted them to understand that there are different ways you can perform software testing other than resorting to heavily documented process and formal test scripts.
As part of my preparation I decided to use FreeMind to create a mind map of some of my testing strategies. Like many in the testing community I find I rely heavily on mnemonics to remember heuristics and oracles. I like Parimala Shankaraiah’s post on the Power of Mnemonics and decided to create something similar but in a mind map form.
Most of the information is not new and has been around the testing community for a while. As I started brain dumping the information, I got really excited about the map. I knew that not only was it helpful for the talk, but for me personally, it provided a great tool to remind me of different approaches I can take to testing. I’ve inserted due credit, but if I’ve left anyone out or got it wrong, please let me know and I can update it.
In fact I’m so thrilled with the results, I’m going to share it. So here it is.
9 Responses to “Mind mapping your testing strategy”
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19. Apr, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bert Veldman, Daily Testing Tip. Daily Testing Tip said: Mind mapping your testing strategy – http://tinyurl.com/y55bjj3 #softwaretesting [...]
Jeroen Rosink
19. Apr, 2010
Hello Anne-Marie,
Nice posting you made! As you probably know we did something similar also on WeekendTesting.
see my posting about that session on http://testconsultant.blogspot.com/2010/04/ewt12-mind-mapping-and-testing.html
I started then also using a heuristic. I think your mind beats mine
Since you used more heuristics. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
regards,
Jeroen
Anne-Marie Charrett
19. Apr, 2010
Yes, I mentioned that on my daily testing tip twitter site, though I hadn’t seen your particular mind map. I started with freemind and ended with Xmind because it gave better styling to it. Did you enjoy making it? I have to say I am a bit of a convert. Interesting though, not all people like to use mind maps as a way of learning. I like Jonathan Kohls comment on this http://ow.ly/1yk3L
Jeroen Rosink
19. Apr, 2010
Hello Anne-Marie,
I think using mind map in combination with heuristics is a great way to work with. It provides a bit structure in your mind and still maintain the freedom to force to think.
I think the strength can be when it is new for you and forces you think in other perspectives. perhaps when it becomes familiar in usage then you might search for other approaches. In my opinion, when it makes you think and not a trick then it can be valuable.
Anne-Marie Charrett
19. Apr, 2010
Yes, I completely agree with you Jeroen. In fact, I rarely use all the heuristics at the same time. Sometimes one approach will seem more suitable than another.
Markus Gärtner
21. Apr, 2010
Michael Bolton introduced the CIDTESTD mnemonic to me as Customer, Information, Developer Relations, Test Team, Equipment & Tools, Schedule, Test Item and Deliverables.
The “I” for Information seems to be missing in your mindmap.
Anne-Marie Charrett
22. Apr, 2010
Yes, your right, its in the mnemonic but not the description. Thanks Markus.
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11. Jun, 2010
[...] “Mind Mapping Your Testing Strategy”, by Anne-Marie Charrett [...]
Babu.V.L.
16. Jun, 2010
Hello Anne-Marie,
marvelous posting. Of great help to my routine.
Thanks and keep posting…
regards
Babu