Key points from this presentation: define meaningful performance requirements; we're always searching for the maximum number of users, design bottlenecks, and performance tuning points; changing your site (hardware or software) invalidates all previous predictors; reduce the number of scripts through equivalence classes; don't underestimate the hardware needed to simulate the load; evaluate and improve your skills, knowledge, tools, and outsourced services; document your process and results so that others may learn from your work; use your new knowledge to improve your site's performance; and focus on progress, not perfection.

In tight economic times, it's more important than ever to show a return on technology investments, including test automation. Unfortunately, management's expectations are usually unrealistic in that they expect immediate results and aren't prepared for the ongoing level of investment required after the tool is purchased. Find out why the benefits traditionally promised-reduced test resources and cycle time-are misleading and inaccurate.

Many struggle to accurately judge the value, success, and return on investment of test automation. In this session, Ross Collard helps you identify which areas and aspects of testing-both manual and automated-provide fruitful opportunities for improvement. You'll have the opportunity to compare the effectiveness of your organization's test automation with industry norms and best practices. You'll also see how other organizations gather, interpret, and apply these metrics. Find out what's worked and what hasn't.

Want to automate your tests but don't have the budget for big-league tools? Elisabeth Hendrickson offers case studies where test automation was accomplished with simple tools for small budgets. She delivers practical advice for creating the automation you need from the tools you already have or can easily get your hands on. Fact is, everything you need to get started is probably right in your "kitchen drawer."