Agile Testing

“So, we don’t need testers anymore, because we work agile now!” That was the impetus for writing the first edition of “Agile Testing” more than 10 years ago. To dispel prejudices and provide ideas on how quality and testing can work in agile projects. A lot has happened since then. Today, 13 years later, not only have test methods and test tools evolved, but also the role of developers and test specialists.

“If I say now that I am an agile tester and I have no idea about equivalence class testing or boundary value testing (…) then I am also doing something wrong” - Manfred Baumgartner, Martin Klonk

Manfred Baumgartner has over 35 years of experience in software development, specializing in quality assurance and software testing. He studied computer science at the Vienna University of Technology and then worked as a developer and test manager before establishing QA consulting services at Nagarro GmbH in Vienna in 2001. Baumgartner is a member of the board of the ASQF e.V. and has written specialist literature on topics such as system testing and agile test procedures.

Martin Klonk studied industrial engineering in Berlin and started as a professional tester in IT in the mid-90s. He has remained a passionate tester ever since and has worked at times as a project manager and test strategy consultant throughout Europe. He has been a member of the Austrian Testing Board since 2010 and its president since 2023.

Highlights of this episode:

• The third edition of our book ‘Agile Testing’
• Discussion of developments and challenges in the field of agile testing
• Insights into the role of testers in agile projects and the importance of test automation
• The need to stay curious as a tester and involve others in the testing process
• Tips for testers to assert themselves in the agile world
• Raffle for three copies of the book ‘Agile Testing’

Agile Testing: A journey through the evolution and importance in modern software development

Today I’m talking to Manfred Baumgartner and Martink Klonk about agile testing. We discuss the development, challenges and future of agile testing with a focus on quality and integration into agile teams. My guests share their experiences and we reflect on the role of testers in the changing world of software development.

The book “Agile Testing”

Today I would like to welcome Manfred Baumgarten and Martin Klonk, co-authors of our book “Agile Testing”, which is now in its third edition. This conversation not only sheds light on the book project itself, but also on our shared view of the development of agile testing, the use of tools and methods and our perspectives on ASTQB. We also touch on the topic of why we decided to dedicate our free time to writing such works.

The origins of agile testing

Manfred takes us back to the initial spark for the book project around ten years ago, when there was a misconception that testers were superfluous in agile projects. His motivation was to take up the cudgels for testing within agile frameworks. He emphasizes that despite the changes in mindset over the last decade, the fundamental need for qualified test engineers in agile projects remains. The section provides insights into the shift from more individual project work to more complex, scaling projects.

The role of agile testing today

A key focus is on the question: Why do we need a third edition? Here Manfred shares his experiences with the ISTQB and the growing influence of DevOps on testing. Martin adds his observations on global perspectives on agile working and how agile practices have become established over time. We discuss the merging of traditional testing methods with agile approaches and recognize that despite technological advances, the basic principles of testing remain.

Challenges and adjustments in the agile test process

Rapid market demands and technological advances are influencing the testing process. The topics of DevOps and security are gaining in importance, while at the same time a strong specialization within the testing area is observed. These developments call for a reassessment of the tester role - away from being a pure specialist to a technically skilled test engineer.

Perspectives for the future of agile testing

Finally, we reflect on our wishes for testers in the context of agility. Manfred advocates a stronger commitment to quality within teams and an engineering approach to testing using learned techniques. Martin emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and a coaching approach when dealing with teammates. I add that a critical look at the real added value of testing is crucial to ensure effective quality testing.