The Evil Tester Show - Software Testing and Development with Attitude

Alan Richardson - Software Testing and Development Consultant

Software Testing expertise for everyone. This software testing podcast helps developers, testers, managers, Product and QA professionals understand and improve their software testing and development approach. Software Testing is a skill that can be treated as a specialism or developed as part of a broader Software Development Role. This podcast helps everyone their skills in Test Management, Risk Management, Unit Testing, Test Techniques, Architecture and Development. The show covers topics like: Software Testing, Exploratory Testing, Test Automation, Test Management, Software Development and Programming. Hosted by Alan Richardson, an experienced Software Developer and Consultant, we cover Software Testing and Development from a practical and experience based viewpoint. Occasional special guests bring their expertise and experience to help listeners improve their Software Testing and Development processes.

  1. Respect in Software Testing and Development

    6 SEPT

    Respect in Software Testing and Development

    Software Testing deserves respect. Doesn't it? But so does every role in Software Development: managers, testers, QA, programmers, Product, Everyone. This is for you. Ever feel like you’re not getting the respect that you deserve in your job? This episode dives deep into the topic of Respect in tech, especially focusing on software testing versus programming. We look at why some roles seem to earn more respect, what that means for workplace culture, and how you can change things for yourself and your team. Respect isn’t just about manners or titles - it’s about how the system works and how we show up in our roles. If you’ve worked in agile projects, you might have heard, "Everyone is a developer." But some roles seem to get more recognition than others. Is this because of how we define our jobs, or is it just baked into the way our workplaces run? This episode is a call to action, urging everyone to look at respect both at a personal, process and craft level. We’re breaking down the difference between self-respect, respect for others, and respect built into your team’s process. You'll see why just doing your job isn’t enough. You have to own your craft, communicate what you do, and make your contributions visible to earn genuine respect. By the end of this episode, you'll have practical steps to make respect part of your daily work, whether you’re writing code, testing, building products, or managing. 00:00 Respect Dilemma 02:41 Human Level Respect 06:31 Self-Respect First 10:17 Respect Cycle 15:37 Knowledge Sharing 18:53 Respectful Organizations 21:26 Final Thoughts

    22 min
  2. Software Testing Strategy vs Planning The Strategy Episode

    7 AUG

    Software Testing Strategy vs Planning The Strategy Episode

    Software Testing typically confuses a Test Strategy Document with the process of strategising. Alan Richardson simplifies the over complicated world of test strategy. Drawing on years of experience creating test strategies and plans, Alan explains the real difference between strategy, approach, and plan. Explaining that what really matters isn’t following templates or writing elaborate documents, but actually thinking through problems, understanding risks, and communicating those ideas clearly.

    30 min
  3. Software Testing Job Market with Jack Cole

    28 JUN

    Software Testing Job Market with Jack Cole

    Are you trying to figure out how to break into the software testing job market or make your next big move? This episode of the Evil Tester Show dives deep into the realities of tech recruitment, job search strategies, and career planning for testers - with recruitment veteran Jack Cole from WEDOTech.uk - Whether you're an experienced Test manager, expert Tester, junior QA or even a programmer, Jack’s decades of Software Testing and Development industry experience will give you strategies and tips about what works in today’s competitive job seeking world. In this packed hour-long conversation, we cover everything from market trends, LinkedIn networking, and the recruitment pipeline, to building a career roadmap and even the AI hype machine. Grab your notebook, settle in, and get ready for real insights you can use – plus a few stories from the trenches and actionable tips for every step of your job hunt.

    1 hr
  4. Practicing Software Testing - Guest James Lyndsay

    18 MAR

    Practicing Software Testing - Guest James Lyndsay

    Software Testing is a skill and like all skills require practice, that's what makes you a practitioner of Software Testing. In this episode we're diving into the world of practice with the James Lyndsay. In this conversation, your host Alan Richardson chats with James about the essence of practice in software testing, exploring how exercises and real-world scenarios can enrich our skills. James shares insights on his weekly online practice sessions and the interactive Test Lab concept, offering a dynamic playground for testers. Discover how practice blends with rehearsal and learning, and delve into the intriguing intersection of testing and development. With firsthand experiences in software experiments, fencing, and scientific investigation, James and Alan discuss the art of modeling and exploring software systems. Whether you're refining your testing techniques or embracing new perspectives with AI, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom for testers at all levels. Join us as we learn, laugh, and explore the world of testing practice. We hope you find inspiration for your own practice sessions. Don't forget to check out James's resources at https://workroom-productions.com for more testing challenges and exercises.

    52 min
  5. Context in Context Driven Software Testing

    4 JAN

    Context in Context Driven Software Testing

    Effective Software Testing is highly contextual: we adapt what we do to the project and the process. In this episode of The Evil Tester Show, host Alan Richardson describes context-driven testing. Is there really such a thing as context-driven testing, or is it just a phrase we use to describe our testing approach? Alan explores the intricacies of context in testing, discussing its evolving nature, the impact of context on testing practices, and the challenges in defining it. From the origins of the term by James Bach, Brian Marick, Brett Petichord, and Cem Kaner, to Alan’s personal insights on systems within systems and how context impacts our testing methodologies, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how context affects software testing. Alan also critiques the principles of context-driven testing and emphasizes the importance of adapting to projects without being swayed by ideologies. We explore how to navigate context in testing environments, adapt our approaches, and effectively challenge and evolve systems. Discover the importance of context-driven testing in software development, exploring models, adaptability, and useful practices.

    25 min
  6. The Test Automation Pyramid Episode

    18/06/2023

    The Test Automation Pyramid Episode

    Software Testing and Development professionals often mention the Test Automation pyramid when describing Test Autoamtion. Let's do a deep dive and explore what that means. This episode covers the Test Automation Pyramid, created by Mike Cohen in 2008-2009 in the book "Succeeding With Agile". We will go beyond the diagram and look at the model that supports it. Then deep dive into the model to explore it's meaning in relation to Automated Execution Coverage, not Testing. - The model was created by Mike Cohen in 2008-2009 in the book "Succeeding With Agile." - The original model focused on UI, service level, and unit level automation. - Over the years, different interpretations and variations of the model have emerged. - The term "service level" in the model has led to ambiguity and different interpretations. - The diagram in the model is a simplified representation of a deeper underlying model. - The focus should be on achieving coverage at the most appropriate level in the system. - The model addresses the importance of avoiding duplication and redundancy in automated coverage. - The process and team structure can impact the effectiveness of the model. - The model can be reframed as an automated execution coverage pyramid.

    34 min
  7. The Test Cases and Scripts Episode

    04/06/2023

    The Test Cases and Scripts Episode

    Software Testing is often taught with a focus on Test Cases and Test Scripts. But this is the 2025, we don't test like it's 1984 any more. Let's revisit how we model testing and create a more effective test process. The most common Testing Entities that I've encountered over the years are: Test ConditionTest ScenarioTest CaseTest Script In my Testing I pretty much now have: Test IdeaTest Log (Execution Log) Is there any value in the original Testing Entities? There might be if we view them as logical concepts, but not really as physical artifacts.

    29 min
  8. The Manual Testing Show

    21/05/2023

    The Manual Testing Show

    Software Testing often looks at the exactitude of language. We look for ambiguity in Software Requirements, we find gaps in Specifications, so it's no wonder we explore the use of terms and definitions in our own Software Testing craft. Top 3 Phrases that should carry trigger warnings for the Test Community: - Manual Testing - Test Automation - Quality Assurance In this episode I'm going to talk about Manual Testing. So that's your Trigger Warning. And I'm going to talk about what we might want to say instead of "Manual Testing"

    14 min
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About

Software Testing expertise for everyone. This software testing podcast helps developers, testers, managers, Product and QA professionals understand and improve their software testing and development approach. Software Testing is a skill that can be treated as a specialism or developed as part of a broader Software Development Role. This podcast helps everyone their skills in Test Management, Risk Management, Unit Testing, Test Techniques, Architecture and Development. The show covers topics like: Software Testing, Exploratory Testing, Test Automation, Test Management, Software Development and Programming. Hosted by Alan Richardson, an experienced Software Developer and Consultant, we cover Software Testing and Development from a practical and experience based viewpoint. Occasional special guests bring their expertise and experience to help listeners improve their Software Testing and Development processes.

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