Holiday Season Backlog Refinement

Seasons Greetings! Thank you for joining us for our fifth annual podcast at Christmastime, this year's festive cheers with the Testing Peers brings Russell, Simon, David, Tara, Beth & Chris together to refine the holiday season backlog [see the footnote after the sponsor message for more details].

Who doesn't feel the festive warm & fuzzies over a refinement session?

Before we jump in, Russell warms us all up with an ice breaker based on Christmas drink preferences.

The we all dive in.

Chris (the business - in this case) has populated a series of epics for the team of Peers to commit to delegating Christmas on time.

Christmas Tree Size Estimation Framework: From desk-sized (1) to forest-worthy (6).

• Epics:
  • Festive Décor: Lights, trees, & cosy vibes (no tinsel, for the pets!).
  • Festive Events: Baking nights, light tours & Secret Santa.
  • Gift-Giving: Thoughtful presents, no gimmicks.
  • Holiday Self-Care: Quiet evenings & avoiding burnout.
  • Traditions: Advent calendars, holiday movies, & music playlists.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from us all here at Peers HQ

The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.

Thanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.

nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They’ve been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing & fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers & they’ve now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!

nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.

www.nfocus.co.uk & info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.

Holiday Season Backlog

The Peers embraced their festive spirit by creating a "Holiday Season Backlog," blending testing concepts with holiday preparation! Here's the breakdown:

Christmas Tree Size Framework

• 6: Forest
• 5: Town Square
• 4: Shopping Centre
• 3: Fancy House
• 2: Modest House
• 1: Desk

Definition of Ready (DoR): 3 Peers agree it’s ready
Definition of Done (DoD): Santa’s approval! 🎅

Epics and User Stories

1. Festive Décor - Town Square

Goal: Transform spaces into magical holiday settings.

• Tasks: Fairy lights, tree decorations, wreaths, and cushions.
• Requirements: Keep it cosy and avoid tinsel (pets say no!).

2. Festive Events - Town Square

Goal: Spread holiday cheer through activities.

• Tasks: Tree-lighting ceremony, film marathons, Secret Santa, baking nights, and light tours.
• Risks: Festive fatigue from over-scheduling.

3. Gift-Giving - Fancy House

Goal: Thoughtful gifts for smiles and joy.

• Tasks: Draft gift lists, set postage reminders, donate to charity, and avoid gimmicky gadgets.

4. Holiday Self-Care - Modest House

Goal: Maintain mental well-being during the holidays.

• Tasks: Relaxing evenings, “no obligation” days, acts of kindness, and avoiding burnout.

5. Festive Traditions - Forest

Goal: Celebrate beloved seasonal traditions.

• Tasks: Advent calendars, holiday movies, music playlists, theatre shows, and family games.
• Notes: Self-care wins over endless activities.

Highlights:

• Peer collaboration: Everything was

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