"I found the 'Improv(e) your testing' workshop very insightful as the concepts taught could be applied to any business or life context. I loved the way you took the rules from Improv class and applied them to a software testing context. The rules were presented in a fun and entertaining manner but at the same time were so educational and applicable to everyday situations. The other great thing about the RULES is that they are ready to use straight out of the box. Anyone can put these into action straight away."
-Costa Antzoulatos, 2017 Test Engineering Alliance Meetup
"I have really bought into Damian’s unique approach of using improv techniques to enrich my analytic and problem solving skills. If improv is a potential avenue to grow as a thinker, I am excited to explore other unorthodox avenues of improving my thought process. Damian’s professionalism speaks for himself, he obviously takes great pride in his work and it shows in his excellent performance."
-Parker McCurley, 2017 Cleveland Ruby Brigade Meetup
"Damian's presentation was engaging, fun and enthusiastic. He had a way of showing a fun way of how Improv can be used in the real world of testing. He pulled in the audience to interact and it brought about laughs but also ah-ha moments thinking of the scenario in the world of testing. He has such a positive personality that affects others to feel the same way. He has a lot of valuable points that we can think about in our role as testers that can improve our own process."
-Anonymous, 2017 Cincinnati Insurance Company corporate training
Summary
A highly interactive and fun session that uses improv comedy to teach testing fundamentals.
Abstract
Improvisational comedy—sometimes called improv—is a form of theater in which the performance is created in the moment. Successful improv involves learning and using a variety of skills and techniques which allow performers to quickly adapt to a constantly changing environment and new information. Now reread the previous sentence, but replace the word improv with testing.
In many ways, improv is a great analogy for testing. As both an experienced improviser and tester, Damian Synadinos presents some of the many similarities between improv and testing. Each improv tip and trick is thoroughly described and demonstrated with help from the audience. Damian then explains and shows how the very same idea can be applied in a testing context. Using creative metaphors and critical analysis, old ideas about testing are reframed in novel and notable ways.
Whether novice or experienced, you are sure to laugh, learn, and leave with ways to help improv(e) your testing!
Audience
Novice to experienced testers and anyone interested in learning testing fundamentals.
Duration
2-8 hours
Key Takeaways
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The purpose of testing
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Testing fundamentals and techniques
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Fun!
Media