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Putting the Context in Context-Driven Testing (an Application of Cultural Historical Activity Theory)
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Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) (Engeström, 1987) is a model that can organize systems-level thinking and analysis. In particular, CHAT focuses on the context in which an activity takes place. Therefore, it is particularly useful for context-driven software analysis. This paper introduces and explains CHAT, illustrates how it can be used in the field, and suggests ways to apply it to a variety of testing problems.
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... Due to the high diversity of stakeholders, it is highly likely that not all goals have a positive impact on other ones. It is therefore important to understand which smaller and partly individual goals are pursued, while contributing to the joint outcome (Fiedler and Kaner, 2009). In a corporate environment for example, all employees will work towards the overall, desired outcome. ...
... In a corporate environment, typical business processes are composed of several steps or tasks, which are often executed in a linear order. This means, the output of a previous step is the input for the following (Fiedler and Kaner, 2009). The recursive nature of process and steps and the relation in between can be modelled as multiple connected subactivity systems, where the result of one activity becomes the object of the next activity system. ...
... An extract of these recommendations is shown in Table 5. For example, the concept of "extraction" is very prospective for solving "double bind" issues, as it aims at separating the problematic component and thus targets the central trigger of a double bind situation (see Fiedler and Kaner, 2009). The highlighting is based on the best fitting primary and secondary contradiction type. ...
... As such, best practices in one context become obsolete in another context. Researchers argue that a context-driven testing approach [56,57] might be appropriate for Agile software development. In contextdriven testing, rather than trying to apply "best practices", testers accept that very different practices that will work best under different contexts [57]. ...
Agile software development methodologies focus on software projects which are behind schedule or highly likely to have a problematic development phase. In the last decade, Agile methods have transformed from cult techniques to mainstream methodologies. Scrum, an Agile software development method, has been widely adopted due to its adaptive nature. This paper presents a metric that measures the quality of the testing process in a Scrum process. As product quality and process quality correlate, improved test quality can ensure high-quality products. Also, gaining experience from 8 years of successful Scrum implementation at SoftwarePeople, we describe the Scrum process emphasizing the testing process. We propose a metric Product Backlog Rating (PBR) to assess the testing process in Scrum. PBR considers the complexity of the features to be developed in an iteration of Scrum, assesses test ratings and offers a numerical score of the testing process. This metric is able to provide a comprehensive overview of the testing process over the development cycle of a product. We present a case study which shows how the metric is used at SoftwarePeople. The case study explains some features that have been developed in a Sprint in terms of feature complexity and potential test assessment difficulties and shows how PBR is calculated during the Sprint. We propose a test process assessment metric that provides insights into the Scrum testing process. However, the metric needs further evaluation considering associated resources (e.g., quality assurance engineers, the length of the Scrum cycle).
... As such, good practices in one context become obsolete in another context. Researchers argue that a context-driven test approach [55,56] might be appropriate for Agile software development. In context-driven testing, rather than trying to apply "best practices", testers accept that very different practices that will work best under different contexts [56]. ...
Agile software development methodologies focus on software projects which are
behind schedule or highly likely to have a problematic development phase. In
the last decade, Agile methods have transformed from cult techniques to
mainstream methodologies. Scrum, an Agile software development method, has been
widely adopted due to its adaptive nature.
This paper presents a metric that measures the quality of the testing process
in a Scrum process. As product quality and process quality correlate, improved
test quality can ensure high quality products. Gaining experience from eight
years of successful Scrum implementation at SoftwarePeople, we describe the
Scrum process emphasizing testing process. We propose a metric Product Backlog
Rating (PRAT) to assess the testing process in Scrum. PRAT considers the
complexity of the features to be developed in an iteration of Scrum, assess
test ratings and offers a numerical score of the testing process. This metric
is able to provide a comprehensive overview of the testing process over the
development cycle of a product. Finally, we present a case study which shows
how the metric is used at SoftwarePeople.
An examination of the shift to context-based human-computer interaction design practice, illuminated by the concepts of Activity Theory and related methods.
The shift in the practice of human-computer interaction (HCI) Design from user-centered to context-based design marks a significant change in focus. With context-based design, designers start not with a preconceived idea of what users should do, but with an understanding of what users actually do. Context-based design focuses on the situation in which the technology will be used—the activities relating to it and their social contexts. Designers must also realize that introduction of the technology itself changes the situation; in order to design workable systems, the design process must become flexible and adaptive. In Activity-Centered Design, Geri Gay and Helene Hembrooke argue that it is time to develop new models for HCI design that support not only research and development but also investigations into the context and motivation of user behavior.Gay and Hembrooke examine the ongoing interaction of computer systems use, design practice, and design evaluation, using the concepts of activity theory and related methods as a theoretical framework. Among the topics they discuss are the reciprocal relationship between the tool and the task, how activities shape the requirements of particular tools and how the application of the tools begins to reshape the activity; differing needs and expectations of participants when new technology is introduced, examining in particular the integration of wireless handheld devices into museums and learning environments; and the effect of the layout of the computing space on movement, function, and social interaction. Gay and Hembrooke then apply their findings on the use of technology in everyday contexts to inform future HCI design practice.
Rather than limit people to the e-portfolio model, why not develop a model providing a personal Web space for everyone, for their lifetimes and beyond?
The theoretical, research and practice perspective known variously as activity theory, the cultural-historical theory of activity, CHAT (cultural historical activity theory), socio-cultural psychology and cultural historical psychology has evolved bodies of literature in diverse areas, most notably developmental, educational and organizational psychology; psychotherapy; cognitive science; curriculum and teaching; literacy, writing and rhetoric; information technology and design; and geography. Theoretically, activity theory engages many of the same issues as do philosophical, postmodern and critical psychology, including philosophical and psychological dualism; the nature of reality, the self, identity and otherness; the dialogic, narrative, performative, collaborative and relational character of language; and consciousness and the formation of mind. There is no unified theory of activity theory, but a set of articulations that more often than not overlap rather than separate. In this special issue devoted to discussions of activity theory by contemporary theorists, historians and practitioners, the question ‘what kind of theory?’ runs through (sometimes indirectly) the contributions these authors make to critical debates on the philosophy and politics of current and possible future psychologies.