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MichaelBolton

I'm Michael Bolton (no, not that one), from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where I've lived most of my adult life, except for a six-year stint in Los Angeles.

I both practice and teach Rapid Software Testing, as it's defined by my colleague James Bach. Rapid Testing's purpose is to provide organizations and their managers with critical information about their products as quickly and as effectively as possible. This means working under (usually) extreme time pressure, identifying the client�s mission clearly, applying expert and practiced skill, and reporting quickly, accurately, and credibly. It does not mean writing volumes of documentation, following archaic (and often ineffective) scripted processes, or using a particular tool, unless those tasks are crucial to the client�s mission. Rapid Testing emphasizes thinking, teamwork, application of skill, understanding of risk, and focused exploration of the product. I apply it in my own testing work and I teach it to others. I handle work for James when he is unable or unwilling to teach a class for some reason, and I am the only person that he has authorized to do so.

I write software, I write about software, I write about writing software, and I write about writing about software. Perhaps I should explain.

I write software. Occasionally, I write a program to do something that is immediately useful to me. Rather less frequently I am handed a piece of code to maintain and fix (which usually requires me to decipher and refactor it). I rather enjoy doing this because I like learning and swatting bugs.

I write about software. This covers several dimensions. I test software, and write about what my tests reveal. I write specifications, requirements, end-user manuals and white papers, marketing materials, opinion pieces, and other stuff related to software. I teach software testing courses, and I'm a member of TASSQ, the Toronto Association of Systems and Software Quality.

I write about writing software. Requirements, specs, test plans, and the like are covered under this category too. I also write essays on development and program management practises, and related topics. I've got a regular column in Better Software Magazine.

I write about writing about software. I'm doing that right now! I also have written articles about writing in general, writing specifications, writing project plans, and so on.

For fun, I play Irish Traditional Music on my mandolin, and other kinds of mostly poppy/folky music on the guitar. For fun and exercise and transportation, I ride my bike around the city of Toronto, which is exceptionally bike-friendly except in January and February.

I'm looking forward to seeing old friends from the 2002-2004 AYE Conferences, and meeting new ones in 2004.

---Michael B. 2004.09.18