Software Development Best Practices

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of user stories in Agile projects?

To provide detailed technical specifications for the system

To outline the budget and resources needed for the project

To describe how the system should behave regarding a coherent feature (correct)

To serve as a repository for all project documentation

What is discouraged in a typical Agile project regarding documentation?

Tracking testing results and strategies

Documenting user stories and acceptance criteria

Producing unnecessary documentation that does not deliver value (correct)

The use of automated tests to demonstrate conformance

What term is used to describe a larger collection of related user stories?

Tasks

Epics (correct)

Release notes

Features

What decision must a team make during release planning in Agile?

The required work products and documentation levels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of development work products in Agile?

Database entity-relationship diagrams and code Signup and view all the answers

What is a vital factor in balancing documentation in Agile projects?

Ensuring documentation supports business, testing, and development Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a goal of automated tests in Agile projects?

Releasing a product without any testing Signup and view all the answers

Which part of an Agile user story typically defines the desired system behavior?

Acceptance criteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the best practice regarding feature completion?

Integrate and test the feature with the system before considering it done. Signup and view all the answers

What does the practice of 'fix bugs first' entail?

Addressing defects at the beginning of the next iteration as part of the backlog. Signup and view all the answers

What can make it difficult to estimate the remaining work in an iteration?

The unknown total work due to backlog adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

How is risk analysis incorporated into iteration planning?

Specific quality risks are identified and assessed for each iteration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice in Agile techniques like Extreme Programming?

Testers working collaboratively with developers. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does distributed pairing present?

It can complicate testing due to geographical separation. Signup and view all the answers

During release planning, who typically drives the high-level risk analysis?

Testers usually lead the analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What does the sequence of development influence in an Agile project?

The priority and depth of testing for features. Signup and view all the answers

What types of acceptance testing are commonly employed by Agile teams?

User, operational, regulatory, and contract acceptance tests Signup and view all the answers

In Agile projects, when may acceptance tests occur?

At completion of each iteration, after iterations, or after series of iterations Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of automated tests in Agile projects?

To confirm that the build is functioning and installable Signup and view all the answers

How frequently can unit tests be executed in an Agile project?

Each time new software is checked in Signup and view all the answers

What might be a reason to separate functional tests from unit tests?

Functional tests take longer to execute Signup and view all the answers

What automated tools are used in Agile projects for testing?

Static analysis, unit testing, and code coverage tools Signup and view all the answers

What should a team do if an automated test fails?

Fix the underlying defect before the next code check-in Signup and view all the answers

Which type of testing framework is primarily used for continuous integration in Agile?

Automated build and test frameworks Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of sequential lifecycle models regarding test levels?

Exit criteria of one level serve as entry criteria for the next level. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of testing is primarily conducted by developers during an iteration?

Unit testing Signup and view all the answers

What does feature verification testing commonly involve?

Testing against user story's acceptance criteria, often automated Signup and view all the answers

In Agile projects, regression testing typically involves which of the following?

Re-running automated unit tests and feature verification tests Signup and view all the answers

During an iteration in an Agile project, what is the primary focus of feature validation testing?

Gathering feedback on the feature's usability and functionality Signup and view all the answers

How is the testing process organized in some Agile lifecycles?

Changes to requirements can occur at any point in an iteration. Signup and view all the answers

What role do business stakeholders play in feature validation testing?

They may collaborate in determining the feature's fitness for use. Signup and view all the answers

What often triggers the initiation of system testing in Agile projects?

Readiness of the first user story for testing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using burndown charts in Agile teams?

To track the amount of work left to be done against time allocated. Signup and view all the answers

What type of visual representation helps Agile teams monitor their current status?

Agile task boards. Signup and view all the answers

During the daily stand-up meetings, which question is NOT typically asked?

How can we improve customer satisfaction? Signup and view all the answers

How do teams ensure that testing tasks are moving at an acceptable rate?

By reviewing the status of the task board regularly. Signup and view all the answers

How are testing tasks indicated on the Agile task board?

Using labeled color-coordinated cards. Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens to a task on the Agile task board when associated test automation scripts achieve a passing status?

It moves into the done column. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having all Agile team members, including testers, in daily stand-up meetings?

To ensure comprehensive team communication about project progress. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Agile task boards is FALSE?

They typically do not involve color-coordination. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Iteration Management and Defect Resolution

Hardening or stabilization iterations address lingering defects and technical debt.
A feature is not considered complete until it has been integrated and tested with the system.
Best practice involves addressing previous iteration defects at the start of the next iteration, termed "fix bugs first."

Release Planning and Risk Management

Release activities are conducted to prepare software for delivery, sometimes occurring after every iteration.
Risk-based testing incorporates high-level risk analysis during release planning, driven by testers.
Quality risks for each iteration are identified and assessed during iteration planning, influencing development sequence and test prioritization.

Pairing Practices in Agile

Pairing can occur among testers or between testers and developers for collaborative testing.
Distributed teams may face challenges in pairing but can utilize processes and tools to aid collaboration.

Documentation in Agile Projects

Agile emphasizes working software and automated tests over extensive documentation.
Successful projects balance documentation needs with efficient development, focusing on user stories and acceptance criteria.
User stories define coherent features for individual iterations; larger collections are termed "epics."

Testing Activities in Agile Iterations

Test activities progress through unit testing by developers, followed by feature acceptance testing.
Feature verification testing is often automated, while feature validation testing is typically manual and involves collaboration with stakeholders.
Regression testing is performed continuously by re-running automated tests throughout the iteration.

System Testing and Acceptance Testing

A system test level may begin once the first user story is ready, involving functional and non-functional tests.
Various acceptance testing forms exist, including internal alpha tests, external beta tests, user acceptance tests, etc.

Configuration Management in Agile

Agile projects leverage automated tools for development, testing, and management.
Developers utilize tools for static analysis, unit testing, and code coverage, employing continuous integration frameworks.
Automated tests confirm build functionality, with quick fixes required for any failures before the next code check-in.

Status Tracking and Communication

Burndown charts are used to track remaining work against time in releases and iterations.
Agile task boards visually represent team status, with tasks moving across columns like to do, in progress, verify, and done.
Regular reviews during daily stand-up meetings facilitate communication about task progress and address any blockers.

Daily Stand-up Meeting Structure

Each team member shares updates on completed tasks, upcoming plans, and any obstacles faced.
Inclusion of testers in stand-up meetings ensures collaboration and visibility across development efforts.

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Description

This quiz explores essential best practices in software development, focusing on hardening iterations and managing technical debt. Learn about the importance of integrating and testing features, as well as prioritizing bug fixes at the start of each iteration. Test your knowledge of effective software development strategies.