Better Software Magazine Archive:

July 2007

IN THIS ISSUE

Enough Is Enough: What Does Agile Software Development Mean?
By Dan North

Agile software delivery is about doing sufficient up-front analysis, design, and planning—and then deferring decisions to the appropriate time. But what does “enough” really mean? And why has the term "agile" become a cliché in development circles? Terms like "post-agile" or "pragmatic agile" have emerged as a response to this, but this is only a short-term fix.

Agile Addendums
By Brian Marick

Six years after the writing of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, agile is being used more often and more ambitiously. Looking back, there are two things Brian Marick would like to have added to the manifesto: habitability and joy.

Drawing Out the Facts
By Steven M. Smith

A properly conducted discovery interview can lead to a wealth of information. Steven Smith explores some effective actions you can take before, during, and after the face-to-face interview to help you master the art of the interview process.

What's Wrong with Your Testing Strategy?
By William W. White

When the design and the coding are complete, and the product seems ready to ship, it’s hard to understand why testing takes so long. Discover how your source code management system can help you unblock the testing bottleneck.

Quality-It's All in the Values
By Neil Harrison

We are in the business of providing our customers with products. While we may proclaim our commitment to quality, what really matters is how our users experience our products. So, how do we ensure our organization is a quality organization? Examine our values.

Test Design with Risk in Mind
By Michael Bolton

Sometimes in testing we find problems that surprise us. And that's where risk-based testing comes in. Build your tests around "What if...?" statements to help you anticipate problems before they arise.

The Plight of the Servant Leader
By Stacia Broderick

A ScrumMaster's accomplishments often are overshadowed by the success of his team. But like every human, these leaders have a need for esteem and self-fulfillment. Learn ways you can help to increase your ScrumMaster's job satisfaction.

Putting Policy in Its Place
By Tod Golding

Establishing policies is the easy part. How do you ensure those policies are being universally applied and adopted? Find out how Microsoft's Policy Injection Application Block can help solve some of your policy dilemmas.

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