Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 20:53:01 -0500 From: Withall Subject: Boston SPIN Meeting Announcement - Tuesday, March 18, 2003 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) Meeting Announcement We will meet in our regular location at Mitre - Building S) Topic: Results >From Performing Software Inspections On Test Scripts Speaker: Howie Dow When: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 6:00pm-8:30pm 6:00-6:45 Networking and Round Tables 7:00-7:10 Announcements 7:10-8:10 Presentation 8:10-8:30 Questions and Answers Who: Everyone (Industry, Government, Academia) Location: The MITRE Corporation, 202 Burlington Rd. (Rt. 62), Building S, Bedford, MA 01730 NOTE: Because of security concerns, you'll need a Picture ID and any large items you bring will be opened and inspected when you arrive. NOTE: The earliest arrival time is 5:15pm. No one will be admitted prior to that time. The building is secured at 9pm. All attendees must have left the building by that time. Info: See our web page for information and directions, Note: Boston SPIN meetings are free. No RSVP is necessary. Abstract: Results >From Performing Software Inspections On Test Scripts In many ways the creation of test programs or test scripts are similar to "regular" program development. Writing a test program typically includes the following phases: requirements, design, code, "test" and use, where "test" is making sure the test program meets the requirements and "use" is the execution of the test program to find defects. Given that test program development is similar to regular program development this suggests that test programs may have defects in the same way that regular programs have defects. As software inspections have been used for decades on ^Óregular^Ô programs, why not use software code inspections on test programs? This talk describes the efforts and presents the results of a software test team perform a variation of the Fagan style software inspection process on test scripts. Specific topics include: · A very brief description of the inspection process developed by Michael Fagan. · A description of the modified process used by this team. · Outline of the data collected. · The results (data) of the inspections. · A discussion of lessons learned. · Some suggestions on how you might use the information presented. References for further information. About the Speaker: Howie Dow is a process improvement specialist, change agent and solver of complex problems. His focus is at achieving significant and measurable business results and has specific expertise in improving software development activities. Previously, disguised as a System-Software Engineer at Enterprise Systems Lab of Hewlett Packard Corporation (formerly Compaq Computer and Digital Equipment), Howie led the definition and implementation of business and technical process improvements; worked with customers to create appropriate and meaningful test requirements; and has trained and coached software teams in defect reduction strategies, project planning and establishing effective metrics. Howie has a Master of Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and a BS in Electrical Engineering. He is an ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) and a practitioner of Six Sigma methods. He has given papers at the International Conference on Software Quality (ICSQ), BOSCON and other conferences. About the Roundtables: Roundtables are focused group or "birds-of-a-feather" discussions, with a facilitator, to stimulate and moderate discussion. Roundtables are held during the Networking portion of the SPIN meeting from 6:00 to 6:45. About the Roundtables: Roundtables are focused group or "birds-of-a-feather" discussions, with a facilitator, to stimulate and moderate discussion. Forums are continuing discussions with a central theme, e.g., the Software Testing Forum and the Software Process Improvement Forum. These discussion groups are held during the Networking portion of the SPIN meeting from 6:00 to 6:45. 1. Software Process Improvement Forum Leader: Judi Brodman This month's SPI roundtable will be an open forum format. We will discuss software development and software process problems that attendees bring to the Roundtable. Solutions to the problems will be discussed based on the attendees' and the facilitator's experience. Bring your process experience and lessons learned - what worked, what didn't work. Possible topics may include: * Testing - conventional versus agile, * Software development methodologies - traditional versus agile, * Schedules - developing and meeting them, * CMM issues - interpretation, time spent obtaining levels, does it preclude agile methodologies, etc. * Problems attendees bring to the table. Come early (6 PM), bring your problems or solutions, your experience or learn from others! 2. Software Testing Forum: Leader: Richard Powers Software Metrics and Release Criteria We will examine an excellent article exploring how we define success based on what's important to the project or effort. Topics will include drafting release criteria and gaining consensus. In order to come prepared, please review 3. Job Seekers Forum: Co-Leaders: Rich Green and John Lohavichan Topic TBD Come join us for an exciting opportunity to share your experiences and to network with other software professionals from various domains throughout the New England area. Directions: Coming from 128 South or North 1. Take Exit 32A onto Route 3 North. 2. Proceed two miles on Route 3 North and take the first Exit 26 (for Route 62 Bedford). 3. Go down the ramp to the traffic signal. 4. You may either proceed to the main entrance to the MITRE campus on Route 62 or enter through the side entrance on Crosby Dr. 5. To enter through the main entrance, at the end of the ramp turn right on Route 62. 6. At the first set of lights, take an immediate left into MITRE. 7. Bear left and follow the drive to the end. 8. Turn right and follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 9. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. OR 5. To enter through the side entrance, at the end of the exit ramp (traffic signal) continue straight across Route 62 onto Crosby Drive. 6. After a short hill, take the first right into the MITRE campus. 7. Follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 8. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. From New Hampshire or Points North on Route 3 1. Take Route 3 South to Exit 26 (for Route 62 Bedford). 2. At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic signal turn Left on Route 62. 3. To enter through the main entrance, go under Route 3 and proceed to the second traffic signal. 4. Take an immediate left into the main entrance to the MITRE campus. 5. Bear left and follow the drive to the end. 6. Turn right and follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 7. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. OR 3. To enter through the side entrance, Go under Route 3 and proceed to the first traffic signal. 4. Turn left onto Crosby Drive. 5. After a short hill, take the first right into the MITRE campus. 6. Follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 7. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. From Logan Airport 1. Go through tunnel to Route 93 North. 2. Take Route 93 North eleven miles to Exit 37B (Route 128 (I-95) South). 3. Take Route 128 (I-95) South six miles to Exit 32A (Route 3 North). 4. Follow the instructions above, "Coming from 128 South or North". Coming from 128 South or North 1. Take Exit 32A onto Route 3 North. 2. Proceed two miles on Route 3 North and take the first Exit 26 (for Route 62 Bedford). 3. Go down the ramp to the traffic signal. 4. You may either proceed to the main entrance to the MITRE campus on Route 62 or enter through the side entrance on Crosby Dr. 5. To enter through the main entrance, at the end of the ramp turn right on Route 62. 6. At the first set of lights, take an immediate left into MITRE. 7. Bear left and follow the drive to the end. 8. Turn right and follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 9. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. OR 5. To enter through the side entrance, at the end of the exit ramp (traffic signal) continue straight across Route 62 onto Crosby Drive. 6. After a short hill, take the first right into the MITRE campus. 7. Follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 8. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. From New Hampshire or Points North on Route 3 1. Take Route 3 South to Exit 26 (for Route 62 Bedford). 2. At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic signal turn Left on Route 62. 3. To enter through the main entrance, go under Route 3 and proceed to the second traffic signal. 4. Take an immediate left into the main entrance to the MITRE campus. 5. Bear left and follow the drive to the end. 6. Turn right and follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 7. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. OR 3. To enter through the side entrance, Go under Route 3 and proceed to the first traffic signal. 4. Turn left onto Crosby Drive. 5. After a short hill, take the first right into the MITRE campus. 6. Follow the drive, which bears left and then right and turn right into the parking lot (immediately after the third speed bump). 7. Walk into the courtyard between Buildings K and S and enter the S lobby to sign in. From Logan Airport 1. Go through tunnel to Route 93 North. 2. Take Route 93 North eleven miles to Exit 37B (Route 128 (I-95) South). 3. Take Route 128 (I-95) South six miles to Exit 32A (Route 3 North). 4. Follow the instructions above, "Coming from 128 South or North". Cancellations (including weather cancellations): We will notify the membership via email to the SPIN distribution list, post the notice on the SPIN web page, and send the cancellation announcement to Channel 7 TV and radio, WRKO AM 680 starting at 3pm. SPIN Sponsors: William George Associates, MITRE Corp., Bedford, MA, Raytheon Corp., Lexington, MA, Edelman & Associates, We thank the Computer Science department of UMass-Lowell for providing support and hosting our web page.