Software testing, art and productivity

In the Yahoo software-testing list, Shrini Kulkarni stated

“…productvity as a term is “bad” for creative work like “testing” or “art”. That makes me to feel that I am a low skilled labour on a manufacturing assembly line (not that – it is a bad profession but that does not represent the kind of job I do or I would to do or I am capable of doing)”

It triggered some thoughts from recent projects, and my reply follows.

What bad things happen when we apply the word ‘productivity’ to testing?

Like it or not, unless we are on a fixed price contract with no deadline (and when is there *not* a deadline?), the person who pays is going to be evaluating the value that we provide relative to the money they spend. This seems to be a productivity measurement, and things don’t usually go well when we ignore it.

We are often forced to balance the artistic/creative part of our work with giving our employer the impression that we are being ‘productive’. My understanding of history is that most artists through history have also had to concern themselves with both productivity and art, especially if they want to make a living.

To me, productivity is the key to defensible testing. It’s the idea that I should be striving to get the best coverage that I can for the least cost.

I think where we go wrong is when we define productivity as output or effort, not ‘value’. Unfortunately, the former definitions are common, and I think this is a huge problem in many places that I work. That is, there is a focus on appearing busy and creating artifacts, and not on gathering the information that would most help the project right now.

There are negatives to the project in terms of our personal productivity if we are forced to ignore those parts of our work which give us the greatest satisfaction. For me, this does include the aspects of testing that I consider creative and artistic, but it also includes other things, such as the satisfaction I get from face-to-face communication, developing relationships, working ethically, collaborating and helping the development of others.

It’s not all about art, but we all have days when our inner artist is challenged. Some days slamming the lid down on the piano and storming off the stage is what’s called for. But mostly, we respect the audience…and the show must go on.