It is clear that the fire
brigade has a process for protecting fire hoses crossing a road, but it is clearly not
fit for scenarios where the hose is crossing rail tracks - None the less it
has been executed by the firemen.
The picture made
me think of a finding we had while running some Test Process Improvement
projects some time ago. We were applying Sogeti’s
TPI model to projects and programmes in order to optimize use of test
resources.
The finding was
related to the interview question “For
re-tests, a simple strategy determination also takes place, in which a
substantiated choice is made between variations of ‘test solutions only’ and
‘complete re-test.’”
And the answer given
by the project manger was: ”Yes! We have
a defined strategy, the procedure is to execute all test cases for every
release.” Something that might look good on paper, but is a complete waste
of time and resources, much like the fireman’s effort of protecting the hose
from the train. At best the hose will be cut, leaving the time spend shielding
it a waste, at worst the train is derailed.
Revisit those procedures
from time to time, and ask why do we do the things we do? Don’t question
everything, only that what seems odd.
Have a nice weekend!
/Nicolai
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