Testing the Limits with James Whittaker (part two)
This is the second half of our recent interview with testing guru, James Whittaker. Today, we’ll cover his new book, his new gig and what he sees over the horizon in the world of software testing. If you haven’t read it already, check out the first half of the interview.
uTest: And when all is said and done what will be the professional accomplishment you’ll look back on with the most pride?
JW: Creating an actual discipline around software quality. Note I said quality and not testing. I want software projects as a whole to run more smoothly and more predictably. I really think that’s what software testing is all about — reducing the uncertainty of software development and finding ways to muscle errors out of the process. A process in which mistakes are harder than doing the right thing is the ultimate goal. We can’t eliminate them, but we can make doing the right thing to be the easiest thing to do.
uTest: What’s your first assignment at Google?
JW: To raise the level of testing precision and diligence. Google has a lot of smart testers, my job is to help mold them into a serious fighting force and let our bugs beware. But this isn’t so much an individual commitment. Google has a culture of collaboration that I am fascinated by as a Noogler.
We share offices (which might explain their interview strategy), inhabit common areas, collaborate constantly and work as a community. If I am successful, there will be many people who can take credit and if I fail, I won’t go down alone! I think the whole free food thing is at the heart of this as food is often the centerpiece for bringing people together. Lots of work gets done while your mouth is full. I hope to succeed before I have to buy bigger clothes.
uTest: Rumor has it that you have a new book coming out. What’s it about and when will it hit Amazon’s shelves?


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