Rob Sabourin – Lost Test Automation Fundamentals

Today’s testers often equate skills with a mere list of technologies and associated tools. However, claiming proficiency in “JIRA, JAVA, or SELENIUM” provides no insight into actual software testing abilities or how these purported skills contribute value to stakeholders.

Speaker:

In this presentation, Rob Sabourin will explore intriguing examples of forgotten test automation skills derived from historically significant projects. He will delve into the expertise of testers who automated models of system usage as far back as the 1870s, advocating for the evolution and integrity of telegraph systems. Drawing from the 1904 Testing Conference, Rob will spotlight the skills of testers who combined environment simulation with dynamic analysis to conduct realistic testing of Steam Locomotives in a controlled setting. Furthermore, he will share remarkable test automation skills based on his father’s use of automation for telecom switching systems in the early 1940s, predating digital computing and shaping a career in modern telecommunication systems.

Rob’s dynamic presentation style and practical insights will illuminate the skills that truly matter, showcasing the significant impact that excellent testing can have on projects, products, businesses, and the evolving world we inhabit.

Key Takeaways:

1. Testing extends beyond software and finds application in various business, technological, and organizational contexts.

2. Automation skills require a blend of modeling, problem-solving, and general systems thinking.

3. Testers have been testing products and technologies for an extensive period, offering valuable lessons from historical projects and initiatives that can be applied to current practices.