Praise for Agile Testing
“As Agile methods have entered the mainstream, we’ve learned a lot about how the
testing discipline fits into Agile projects. Lisa and Janet give us a solid look at what to
do, and what to avoid, in Agile testing.”
—Ron Jeffries, www.XProgramming.com
“An excellent introduction to agile and how it affects the software test community!”
—Gerard Meszaros, Agile Practice Lead and Chief Test Strategist at Solution
Frameworks, Inc., an agile coaching and lean software development consultancy
“In sports and music, people know the importance of practicing technique until it
becomes a part of the way they do things. This book is about some of the most funda-
mental techniques in software development—how to build quality into code—tech-
niques that should become second nature to every development team. The book
provides both broad and in-depth coverage of how to move testing to the front of the
development process, along with a liberal sprinkling of real-life examples that bring
the book to life.”
—Mary Poppendieck, Author of Lean Software Development and Implementing Lean
Software Development
“Refreshingly pragmatic. Chock-full of wisdom. Absent of dogma. This book is a game-
changer. Every software professional should read it.”
—Uncle Bob Martin, Object Mentor, Inc.
“With Agile Testing, Lisa and Janet have used their holistic sensibility of testing to de-
scribe a culture shift for testers and teams willing to elevate their test effectiveness.
The combination of real-life project experiences and specific techniques provide an
excellent way to learn and adapt to continually changing project needs.”
—Adam Geras, M.Sc. Developer-Tester, Ideaca Knowledge Services
“On Agile projects, everyone seems to ask, ‘But, what about testing?’ Is it the develop-
ment team’s responsibility entirely, the testing team, or a collaborative effort between
developers and testers? Or, ‘How much testing should we automate?’ Lisa and Janet
have written a book that finally answers these types of questions and more! Whether
you’re a tester, developer, or manager, you’ll learn many great examples and stories
from the real-world work experiences they’ve shared in this excellent book.”
—Paul Duvall, CTO of Stelligent and co-author of Continuous Integration: Improving
Software Quality and Reducing Risk
“Finally a book for testers on Agile teams that acknowledges there is not just one
right way! Agile Testing provides comprehensive coverage of the issues testers face
when they move to Agile: from tools and metrics to roles and process. Illustrated with
numerous stories and examples from many contributors, it gives a clear picture of
what successful Agile testers are doing today.”
—Bret Pettichord, Chief Technical Officer of WatirCraft and Lead Developer of Watir
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AGILE TESTING
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AGILE TESTING
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR TESTERS
AND AGILE TEAMS
Lisa Crispin
Janet Gregory
Upper Saddle River, NJ • Boston • Indianapolis • San Francisco
New York • Toronto • Montreal • London • Munich • Paris • Madrid
Capetown • Sydney • Tokyo • Singapore • Mexico City
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks.
Where those designations appear in this book, and the publisher was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have
been printed with initial capital letters or in all capitals.
The authors and publisher have taken care in the preparation of this book, but make no expressed or implied warranty
of any kind and assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential
damages in connection with or arising out of the use of the information or programs contained herein.
The publisher offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales,
which may include electronic versions and/or custom covers and content particular to your business, training goals,
marketing focus, and branding interests. For more information, please contact:
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Visit us on the Web: informit.com/aw
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Crispin, Lisa.
Agile testing : a practical guide for testers and agile teams /
Lisa Crispin, Janet Gregory. — 1st ed.
p.
cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-53446-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-321-53446-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Testing.
2. Agile software development.
QA76.76.T48C75 2009
005.1—dc22
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
1. Computer software—
II. Title.
I. Gregory, Janet.
2008042444
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This publication is protected by copyright, and permission
must be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. For information regarding
permissions, write to:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Rights and Contracts Department
501 Boylston Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02116
Fax (617) 671-3447
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-53446-0
ISBN-10:
0-321-53446-8
Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at R.R. Donnelley in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
First printing, December 2008
To my husband, Bob Downing—you’re the bee’s knees!
—Lisa
To Jack, Dana, and Susan, and to all the writers in my family.
—Janet
And to all our favorite donkeys and dragons.
—Lisa and Janet