Better Software - April 2008 - (Page 40)

StickyMinds.com Map out your project success using StickyMinds.com as your resource guide your job or role formally in order to advance technically; I am suggesting that you actually do it informally first, so you’ll have a leg to stand on. I would go so far as to suggest that additional work beyond forty hours a week should be invested in you, not project work. Stephen Covey refers to this as “sharpening the saw”—doing personal work to make your professional work go faster. This could be contributing to open source projects, experimenting with new technologies and techniques, or just keeping up with the software testing literature. This research and experimenting can create some real options beyond going into management, which brings us back to our original dilemma and my colleague Steve. With nearly thirty years of software experience, Steve has worked for a large government agency, and multiple Fortune 500 companies, and earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University along the way. In his words, “The choice to stay technical is not a quick and easy way—in fact, you have to build your own way. Staying current is hard. I strive to add something to the résumé every six months, live a thrifty life, save and invest some of my income, maintain relationships, and contribute a little bit to my peers and my community.” Steve is quick to add: “There is nothing wrong with going into management, but my choice has been to avoid it. The problem is when you make the decision by default, or let someone else make it for you.” {end} referenCes: 1] Porter, Michael J. Competitive Strategy. Free Press, 1998. 2] Weinberg, Jerry. Becoming a Technical Leader. Dorset House, 1986. uSER GROuPS ANd PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Working in technology— especially software testing—can feel isolating, but believe it or not, there are people near you who struggle with the same thing. Every large metropolitan area (and most medium ones!) has formal user groups that meet regularly. User groups typically meet monthly, at lunch or dinner meetings; some may even have an annual conference or other large event. These organizations are always looking for board members, speakers, and attendees. If you aren’t the “toot my own horn” speaker type, there are a number of non-glory jobs like secretary or program chair. People appreciate and notice these contributions, especially when they are done well. Some of my strongest relationships—and a job or two—came through working as a volunteer for my local Perl user group and Extreme Programming group. Here are a few large, national groups that may have a chapter in your area. If there is no user group in your area, the easiest way to become a recognized “name” in town is to start one. • The Agile Alliance is an informal group that specializes in agile development. www.agilealliance.org/show/1641 • The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) leans more toward hardware and networking, but each chapter has its own flavor. (The AITP was originally the Data Processing Management Association, so it has been around for some time). www.aitp.org/index.jsp • The American Society for Quality (ASQ) has chapters all over the United States, and includes representatives from all aspects of business and government. www.asq.org/sections/find.html • The Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) is a very software-focused version of the ASQ. www.qaiworldwide.org/chapters/ Sticky Notes For more on the following topic go to www.StickyMinds.com/bettersoftware. n index.html • The Association for Software Testing (AST) is dedicated to software testing and just began a local chapters program. Professional resources www.associationforSoftwareTesting.org 40 BETTER SOFTWARE APRIL 2008 www.StickyMinds.com http://www.StickyMinds.com http://www.StickyMinds.com http://www.agilealliance.org/show/1641 http://www.aitp.org/index.jsp http://www.asq.org/sections/find.html http://www.qaiworldwide.org/chapters/index.html http://www.qaiworldwide.org/chapters/index.html http://www.StickyMinds.com/bettersoftware http://www.StickyMinds.com/join http://www.StickyMinds.com http://www.associationforSoftwareTesting.org http://www.StickyMinds.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Better Software - April 2008

Better Software - April 2008 Contents Mark Your Calendar Contributions eLightenment Technology Speaking - A Change Would Do You Good Code Craft - A "D" In Programming, Part 1 Test Connection - Learning the Hardware Lessons Management Chronicles - The Art of Persuading Management Cover Story - Incremental and Iterative Development Developers...Start Your Engines Where Do I Go From Here Product Announcements 10 Things You Might Not Know About... The Last Word - Software Quality and the Prisoner's Dilemma Ad Index

Better Software - April 2008

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