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Tag: Test Management


TestBoss News graphic 23/06/2020

Under the Virtual Spotlight with Senior Testers from the BBC, TalkTalk and Dunelm

Our next TestBoss event will take place online on Thursday 16 July from 3.00 – 4.00pm. We will be joined by a panel of senior figures in Test who will be discussing some of the hottest topics on the market. They are:

Stuart Wildman – Senior Test Manager at the BBC

Leigh Rathbone – Senior Test Manager

Beth Hughes – Test Lead at TalkTalk

Stuart Day – Principal QA at Dunelm

The questions and topics covered at the event will be those that have been devised and put forward by the audience. This is set to be a really interesting and valuable live session and the chosen topics will be announced soon.

REGSITER HERE

TestBoss creates a unique platform for leaders in Software Testing to discuss hot topics, learn from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry. Grab a drink and dial in.

Please note: Owing to social distancing restrictions, this event is now being held online. Dial-in details will be provided upon registration.


TestBoss new format a success 27/07/2016

TestBoss tests new format and strikes gold

The latest TestBoss underwent a new structuring and what better way to try out a new format than at a Testing event?  Surely we’d have no better critics?!  We had some excellent debates in the form of group discussions as well as the ever-popular lightning discussions, with content drawn from the problems that attendees face in Test Management.

The Yorkshire Test Management Community spoke about an array of Test Management problems including: improving staff satisfaction, managing and connecting with offshore teams more efficiently and improving relationships with suppliers.  These topics have been made into exclusive Whitepapers for members of our TestBoss LinkedIn Group, so if you’re a Test Manager why not request to join?

Rick Hughes, Founder of TestBoss and on the Board of Directors at Corecom Consulting said:

“This TestBoss was a bit of a step into the unknown with us swapping the popular guest speaker part of the evening with some group-based Test Management activities.  I think it’s safe to say it went down very well and the buzz around the room with everyone helping to solve each other’s Test Management problems was great to see.  

“It’s definitely something we’ll be looking to continue for future events.  Thanks to everyone for coming.”

Tony Marks, Principal Test Manager at Yorkshire Building Society Group said:

“The Lightning Discussions were really interesting as they gave me a view of other people’s challenges and other people’s lives.  I think too often we get entrenched in our own problems.  It was very nice contributing to help people solves problems.  They are challenges I have faced in the past and overcome.”

Photos from the evening can be found on our Flickr account.  We also have video highlights from preceding events which can be found on our YouTube channel, which will give you a flavour of what to expect at TestBoss.

TestBoss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management Community together.  It is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management to debate, discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with like-minded individuals in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

If this interests you, make sure to register your interest for our next event events on 22 November 2016.  Simply contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.co.uk or call 0113 394 4188.


Staff Satisfaction 27/07/2016

Improving Staff Satisfaction in your Team

“How to improve staff satisfaction in your test team? What are the quick wins and what long-term strategies could you adopt?”

Maintaining and improving the satisfaction in any team requires sustained effort not only by management but by the whole team in general.  Following the discussions at TestBoss, our award-winning networking event for Yorkshire’s Test Management Community, Corecom Consulting has created an exclusive Whitepaper for ways in which to improve staff satisfaction in your Test Team, including quick wins and long-term strategies to achieve satisfaction.

Quick Wins

Quick wins are highly important, not only because they drive satisfaction short-term, but because the absence of quick wins can cause a great deal of resentment by employees.  Here is a list of short-term incentives to keep your Test Teams satisfied:

  • Cake, or any type of food for that matter!
  • Huddles / Meetings
  • Having an active social calendar and committee
  • Celebrating small successes
  • Team events including lunch, team building exercises, drinks after work and ultimately learning about your team
  • Saying thank you, as simple as it sounds, it makes a difference
  • Birthday celebrations
  • Company and Testing team updates / newsletters – “The Testing Times”
  • Fuddles… (Food huddles)
  • Bake-offs
  • Empowering staff – enabling them to do their jobs

 

Long-term Strategies

Yes, quick wins are important, but there also needs to be longer-term strategies in place to ensure that your company is promoting satisfaction from the heart of its values.  It is important for the team to be influencers behind the introduction of long-term strategies, as the implementation of many of these will be outside the capability of the team and need to be executed at organisational or Board level.  The attendees from TestBoss have come up with a list of strategies and visions that should help to ensure and indeed improve staff satisfaction:

  • An open and honest company culture, ensuring that there are always opportunities for both personal and professional development and progression
  • Office environment – try vibrant colour schemes and fun break-time activities, what better way to attract a Developers attention than shooting them with a Nerf gun?
  • Working from home and flexi-time, at least for scripting and documentation
  • Sustained effort to keep providing quick wins
  • Continuous improvement stemming from actions for change and the early adoption of new technologies
  • Invest in your employees, empower people, offer promotions, these all go a long way in improving staff satisfaction
  • Community of practice – enabling knowledge and ideas to be communicated across the team and build a sense of community

There is a lot to be said about how best to improve staff satisfaction, but if the company values don’t promote an open and honest culture and putting people first, then this is a recipe for disaster.  It’s important to keep the momentum of employee satisfaction and remember that it is not just a manager’s responsibility, it’s a team effort.

This question was answered by the attendees of TestBoss, our award-winning networking event for the Test Management Community across Yorkshire.  If you’re a Test Manager and would like to join the conversation please email testboss@corecomconsulting.co.uk or call 0113 457 1454 to enquire.


TestBoss welcomes delegates from Callcredit, Capita and Hermes 07/07/2016

TestBoss welcomes delegates from Callcredit, Capita and Hermes

Corecom Consulting is excited to announce that TestBoss, our award-winning networking event for Yorkshire’s Test Management community, will have a new format for the event on 21 July 2016 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in central Leeds.

Having listened to all the feedback over the past couple of years, Corecom has decided to place trust in our attendees and will be conducting two variations of the ever popular lightning discussions.  The lightning discussions (chosen by you when registering for the event) are always very well received so we’re sure that the event will teach the Testing community a lot of valuable, real-world lessons which will be transferable to industry.

Rick Hughes, Founder of TestBoss and on the Board of Directors at Corecom Consulting, said:

“Since launching TestBoss in 2014 we have welcomed an array of Guest Speakers talking about their experiences and educating attendees on industry-specific information but we feel that now is time for a change.  We have listened to the feedback given by guests over the past couple of years and have decided to format TestBoss according to the feedback.

“The layout of the evening will comprise of one set of lightning discussions and one activity-based group activity aimed at bringing groups together to come up with innovative ways to overcome problems that the Test Management community face in day-to-day practice.”

Tony Marks, Principal Test Manager at Yorkshire Building Society said:

“The Lightning Discussions were really interesting as they gave me a view of other people’s challenges and other people’s lives.  I think too often we get entrenched in our own problems.  It was very nice contributing to help people solves problems that were challenges I have faced in the past and overcome.”

TestBoss is the only networking event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  Organised by Corecom Consulting, award-winning IT recruitment specialists, TestBoss is an exclusive invitation-only event for leaders in Software Testing.  TestBoss creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests across Yorkshire to network with like-minded individuals whilst encouraging open hot topic discussions in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

To register your interest for this event please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.co.uk or call 0113 457 1454.


TestBoss sheet 21/01/2016

TestBoss to welcome Capita, Hitachi Capital and Hermes UK

TestBoss is our award winning networking event for leaders in Test Management across Yorkshire.  It’s a chance for Test Managers to congregate at an intimate venue in Leeds City Centre to discuss hot topics whilst networking and enjoying free food and drink throughout the evening.  TestBoss will take place on Thursday 11 February 2016 and has already attracted delegates from Yorkshire Building Society, Icelolly.com and Cascade HR, amongst others.

Corecom is also delighted to welcome Rosie Sherry, Founder and CEO of the Software Testing Club and The Ministry of Testing, as our Guest Speaker for the evening.  Rosie’s presentation titled: ‘How to Deschool your Testing Career’ will explore her journey in home schooling her children and how the changes they had to make in their approach to life as a result of unschooling were also applicable to the Testing world.

When asked what she was going to talk about at TestBoss, Guest Speaker, Rosie Sherry said:

“Three years ago I pulled my children out of school and started a crazy journey of home schooling our kids.  I followed my heart through a journey that I believed was authentic and full of amazing learning opportunities.  We decided to take an unschooling approach where bit by bit we started ditching rules and creating our own ones.

“There is a popular term in the unschooling world called ‘deschooling’.  This is the inner process that most of us (parents and children) need to go through to adapt to a new way of living and learning.  What I didn’t anticipate were the profound changes they would have on our approach to life and how applicable they are to the Testing world.

“In this talk I will share my experiences, and explain why and how I believe it is essential for most of us Testers to deschool themselves from traditional Testing and work approaches.

“Please bring an open mind to this talk.”

TestBoss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  It is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management.  Organised and held by Corecom Consulting: Yorkshire’s fastest growing IT recruitment specialists, TestBoss creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests over Yorkshire to debate and discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with likeminded individuals in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

The next TestBoss event will be held on 11 February 2016 in central Leeds.  To register your interest for this event, or to enquire about future events, please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.co.uk or call 0113 394 4188.


TestBoss Jul 15 15/10/2015

TestBoss delegates to include YBS, Jet2 and Mastek Ltd

Our award winning, Yorkshire based TestBoss networking event will be held a week today for Test Managers.  TestBoss has attracted delegates from Yorkshire Building Society, Jet2.com and Mastek Ltd amongst other huge names in Software Testing to offer expert advice.  TestBoss will be held at 6.00pm on 22 October 2015 in central Leeds.

Rick Hughes, Head of Testing/QA at Corecom Consulting and TestBoss event host said:

“Having already hosted a number of successful TestBoss events, I am confident that this one will not disappoint.  We have a fantastic guest speaker from Jet2.com lined up, and some interesting lightning discussions planned.”

Allan Crisp, Software Testing and Systems Support Manager at Jet2.com, will be offering an engaging presentation covering topics which include: being a non-Tester and looking after Test, as well as adventures in Automation.  There are benefits and drawbacks to both of these issues in Testing, and these will be covered in the presentation.

Reflecting on a previous TestBoss event, Tony Marks, Principal Test Manager at Yorkshire Building Society Group said:

“The Lightning Discussions were really interesting as they gave me a view of other people’s challenges and other people’s lives.  I think too often we get entrenched in our own problems.  It was very nice contributing to help people solves problems.  They are challenges I have faced in the past and overcome.”

TestBoss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  Held quarterly, it is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management.  It is organised and held by Corecom Consulting: Yorkshire’s fastest growing IT recruitment specialist.  The event creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests all over Yorkshire to debate and discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with like-minded individuals in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

The next TestBoss event will be held on 11 February 2016 in central Leeds.  To register your interest please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.com  or call 0113 394 4188.


Allan Crisp 29/09/2015

TestBoss Guest Speaker confirmed: Software Testing and Systems Support Manager at Jet2.com

Allan Crisp, Software Testing and Systems Support Manager at Jet2.com, has been announced as Guest Speaker for the upcoming TestBoss networking event on 22 October 2015.

Allan began his career working for Securicor as a Trainee Analyst/Programmer before being promoted to Senior Analyst/Developer and ultimately Development Manager.  The business Allan was working for was then purchased by DHL and he ended up having responsibility for all Development, Test and Support for the UK domestic business.  This business then became the parcel delivery company known as Yodel where he worked for 14 years.

After leaving Yodel three and a half years ago he joined Jet2.com.  He was brought in to look after the Support function and acquired responsibility for the DBA and Test teams too.  The business has grown massively in the time he has been with them, and the team he is responsible for is now over 40 strong.  25 of the team are testers so a lot of Allan’s energy goes into leading and evolving this team.  When asked about his role Allan said:

“It’s a fun role because I have so much variety and the industry we work in is interesting too.”

Niall Mackenzie, Test Consultant at Corecom Consulting commented ahead of the event:

“I’m really looking forward to TestBoss this time around.  It has established itself as a successful, value adding event for Testing Professionals and always proves to create interesting discussions.”

TestBoss is growing in size and popularity, bringing together leaders in Software Testing throughout Yorkshire.  Held quarterly, it is an invitation-only event, which ultimately brings the Testing community together to discuss hot topics and talk about common issues that arise in Testing, whilst in a relaxed, informal setting.  Delegates can look forward to intriguing debates, networking with likeminded individuals, free food and drink, whilst learning from reputable and established speakers.

Want to join the conversation?

To register your interest please contact testboss@corecomconsulting.com or call 0113 394 4188.


Sketch Noting Visual 09/07/2015

TestBoss celebrates 1 year anniversary with Hitachi Capital, Communisis and Piksel

TestBoss will be celebrating its one year anniversary this month.  Revelling in the celebrations will be Hitachi Capital, Communisis and Piksel who are just some of the confirmed attendees at this month’s networking event.  TestBoss will be held at 6.00pm on 23 July 2015 in Central Leeds.

Rick Hughes, Head of Testing/QA at Corecom Consulting and TestBoss event host said:

“We are delighted to be celebrating TestBoss’ first birthday by welcoming a number of high profile Yorkshire companies to the event and our Guest Speaker, Stephen Mounsey who is Principal Performance Test Analyst at CallCredit Group.”

Stephen will be delivering a presentation which focuses on Sketch Noting and how it helps him as a Test Manager.  He will be covering topics including presence, visualising and engaging with the community.

When asked about the last TestBoss event, Faisal Sultan, Test Manager at Ice Lolly Holidays (icelolly.com) said:

“The event has really opened my eyes to see other people in the same boat and finding other people who have the same challenges.

“It’s heartening in the sense that you know you’re not the only one and it’s good to get advice from other people over obstacles they’re facing as well as yourself, so it’s really beneficial for that.”

“I would recommend TestBoss not only to Testers but Developers.  This would give Developers an idea of the issues that Testers have and how they should be able to work together and come together for the ultimate goal which is a better system.”

TestBoss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  Held quarterly, it is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management.  It is organised and held by Corecom Consulting: Yorkshire’s fastest growing IT recruitment specialist.  The event creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests all over Yorkshire to debate and discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with likeminded individuals in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

Forthcoming TestBoss event dates include 23 July and 22 October 2015.  To register your interest please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.com  or call 0113 394 4188.


Stephen Mounsey June 2015 25/06/2015

TestBoss Guest Speaker announced: Callcredit’s Principal Performance Test Analyst

Stephen Mounsey, Principal Performance Test Analyst at Callcredit Group, has been announced as the Guest Speaker at the forthcoming TestBoss networking event on 23 July 2015.

Stephen began his career as an IT Service Desk Analyst and ITinc where he was responsible for Incident Management and Resolution.  After just over a year he progressed to QA Test Analyst at Callcredit Credit Solutions, followed by a promotion to QA Regression Automation and Technical Services Analyst after two years.

After nearly five years, Stephen progressed to his current role of Principal QA Performance Analyst at Callcredit Information Group.  He acts as a Group Performance Test Lead, managing people and projects across multiple sites and locations.  Stephen is responsible for the transition of performance testing service to Agile methodology, capacity scalability planning, defining Performance Test Policy and performance tuning.  He is a Data Centre Migration Project Lead, presenting at Test gatherings and conferences.

Stephen’s real passion is for sketch noting and visualisation – he can often be found with pens, pencils, post-it notes and pads in hand.  Having been with Callcredit for 8 years he has contributed towards many initiatives such as, automation, offshore partnerships, working with co-located project teams, Data Center migration projects and Agile methodology transitions.  Stephen said:

“I lead a small internal performance consultancy team at Callcredit and my current focus is working with project teams to enable an early and often performance test approach. 

 “I have attended a number of the previous TestBoss events and I am delighted to be networking and sharing my knowledge and experience with other Software Testing professionals.”

Rick Hughes, Head of Testing at Corecom Consulting and TestBoss Host, said:

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Stephen as Guest Speaker.  He has presented ‘Performance Testing in an Agile Environment’ at the Leeds Tester Gathering so he is well practiced.  He was also a Double Panelist at the UNICOM Agile Next Generation Testing Conference, he is on the Agile and Automation Panel and he is the Organiser of the Callcredit Testing Community Conference – a busy man so we are grateful that he’s squeezed us in to his busy schedule!”

TestBoss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  Held quarterly, it is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management.  It is organised and held by Corecom Consulting: Yorkshire’s fastest growing IT recruitment specialist.  The event creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests all over Yorkshire to debate and discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with likeminded individuals in a friendly environment.

Want to join the conversation?

Forthcoming TestBoss event dates include 23 July and 22 October 2015.  To register your interest please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.com or call 0113 394 4188.


Tony Marks 07/04/2015

Yorkshire Building Society Principal Test Manager to speak at TestBoss

#testmanagementnetworking

 Tony Marks, Principal Test Manager at YBS Group, has been named as the Guest Speaker at the next Testboss networking event for the Yorkshire Test community on 23 April 2015.

Tony has been at Yorkshire Building Society for nearly three years, progressing quickly from a Test Manager role to Principal Test Manager for the Group.  Previously, Tony worked at Trilogy for over 13 years in Testing, Quality, Product Management and Systems Management.  His latter years involved running the Quality Department, before becoming Product Manager.

One of Tony’s key achievements at Trilogy included successfully delivering secure voice communications to the US Air Force.  In order to do this, he built a QA department from a greenfield start, creating and managing all hardware and software QA processes and building a team.  Tony was instrumental in the design of the system produced, with his name on the US patent.

When asked about his thoughts regarding the Testboss event, Tony said:

“Testboss is the perfect opportunity to network and share good practice with other professionals in the industry.  I am particularly looking forward to the lightning discussions as we’ll get the opportunity to discuss the challenges in Test Management and assist each other in overcoming these.”

Held quarterly, Testboss is an invitation-only event for leaders within Software Test Management.  It is organised and held by Corecom Consulting: Yorkshire’s fastest growing IT recruitment specialist.  Previous Testboss attendee Richard Owen, QA Manager at Infraxis AG, said:

“Discussions were inclusive and the guest speaker was driven by the desire to help rather than a desire to prescribe or dictate.  In fact, the whole event felt driven by that desire to help and self-promotion was consciously avoided.”

Event host, Rick Hughes from Corecom Consulting said:

“Testboss is the only event in Yorkshire designed to bring the Test Management community closer together.  The event creates a unique platform for Test Managers through to Head of Tests all over Yorkshire to debate and discuss hot topics, learn from reputable and established speakers whilst networking with likeminded individuals in a friendly environment.”

Forthcoming Testboss event dates include 23 April, 23 July and 22 October 2015.  To register your interest please contact Rick Hughes at testboss@corecomconsulting.com or call 0113 394 4188.

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