Agile Testing Day in Potsdam - to be or not to be?

The Agile Testing Days (#ATD) are not just a conference, but a fascinating world shaped by a diverse range of people and personalities. This annual international testing conference, held in Potsdam, Germany, has a new theme each year and attracts visitors from all over the world. In 2022, the theme was "Fairytail," which not only sounded like a fairy tale but actually offered a variety of extraordinary experiences.

The ATD 2022 conference was characterized by color, diversity , and mental health, which were palpable in every aspect of the event. Beyond the various tracks with lectures and tutorials, there were also sporting activities and extensive social events that invited participants to network and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Exemplary presentations

One of the most remarkable presentations was the keynote address by Lena Wiberg, which focused on mindfulness and mental health. In her very personal talk, she offered profound insights into her life and suggested methods and approaches for dealing with anxiety. The title of her presentation, "Living fearlessly - while living with fear," was a powerful statement that prompted the audience to reflect.

Lena Wiberg described the various physical reactions (tensed muscles, goosebumps, increased blood flow, etc.) that can trigger anxiety, even if the anxiety only exists in our minds. She suggested breathing exercises such as the Box Breathing method to reduce anxiety and emphasized the importance of accepting oneself and one's feelings.

The Box Breathing method works as follows:

Assume a comfortable and upright position
Breathe in slowly through your nose, counting to, for example, 4
Hold your breath and count to 4 as well
Exhale through your mouth while counting to 4

This process can be repeated several times.

Another presentation at the conference addressed the perennial topic: How do you actually measure the quality of software? Michael Kutz presented an extremely interesting talk entitled "How (Not) to Measure Quality in Software Development," in which he explained the basics of metrics and examined software quality from various perspectives.

But beware: Michael warned in his presentation that measuring quality should be approached with great caution. Too often, the metrics themselves become the goal – Goodhart's Law: "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." An example of this is code coverage, where unit tests are written that don't actually test anything meaningful, but merely serve to maintain high code coverage.

But how do you find the right metric? Michael explained the Goal-Question-Metric approach, in which a goal is first set, then suitable questions are defined, and finally appropriate quantitative measures are identified.

But what exactly is quality? Michael presented three types of quality – Outer Quality, Inner Quality, and Process Quality – which must be kept in balance to develop a successful product. I've listed some example metrics and better alternatives here:

-Outer Quality

Do users like the product? --> Better: How many people are complaining? This can best be measured using a survey.
How defective is the product? --> Better: How effective is the process?
How useful is the product?

- Inner Quality

How maintainable is the product?
How likely are unintended changes? --> Better: How much code gets / doesn't get executed by tests? This can be determined, for example, using mutation testing.
How confident is the team with the product? This can also be measured, for example, using a survey

- Process Quality

How safe is the process? This can be measured, for example, using "Mean Time to Restore Service" or "Change Fail Rate"
How fast is the process? --> Better: How good are our estimates?

Summary of presentations

But the conference had much more to offer than just the two exemplary presentations. There was a multitude of talks on diverse topics, by different people, with a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds. Even though most of the talks I attended were merely "okay" and didn't offer anything truly groundbreaking or innovative, it was noticeable that many focused on "soft skills." Therefore, one can conclude:

The key to success in testing seems to lie increasingly in the soft skills of the tester!

Supporting program

Attendees of the ATD conference can expect a comprehensive program of activities – from strenuous sports to relaxed morning coffee gatherings. But the highlight of the event is undoubtedly the fantastic costume party with the theme "Fairytale." After a communal dinner, the tables are cleared and live music transports guests to a fairytale world. With an incredible atmosphere and breathtaking costumes, this party is sure to be unforgettable.

Those who partied until the early hours appeared somewhat tired the next day, but nonetheless enthusiastic. The conference takes place in a hotel and offers a packed program throughout its duration, so theoretically, you don't even have to leave the hotel. However, it's well worth exploring the city of Potsdam. Known for its rich cultural heritage as the former residence of the Prussian kings, the city boasts numerous impressive sights. From Sanssouci Palace and its breathtaking parklands to the picturesque Dutch Quarter and the charming Russian Village, there's much to discover.

You can find impressions of it at the end of the post.

conclusion

In summary, the conference was an unforgettable experience. Although we won't attend every year, we will definitely return if the conference continues. The days in Potsdam will certainly remain a cherished memory!