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Specification by Example Workshop: From User Stories to Acceptance Tests

Specification by Example Workshop: From User Stories to Acceptance Tests

Bridging the communication gap between stakeholders and implementation teams

Specification by example is a collaborative approach to defining requirements and tests based on capturing realistic examples instead of abstract statements.

It is the cornerstone of any successful requirements and testing strategy with Agile and Lean processes, such as Scrum, Extreme Programming and Kanban.

This remote workshop with Gojko Adzic consists of 5 modules of 2.5 hours each, and it will teach you how to apply specification by example to bridge the communication gap between stakeholders and implementation teams, build quality into software from the start, design, develop and deliver systems fit for purpose.

Target audience

The workshop is aimed at delivery team members (programmers, testers, business analysts and product owners) mostly working in iterative delivery, such as Scrum or Kanban.
Prior experience in delivering software iteratively is useful when attending this workshop, but not required.

Agenda

This workshop is based on Gojko Adzic’s books Specification by Example and Bridging the Communication Gap. Through facilitated exercises and discussion, you will learn:

Module 1 – Using examples to clarify

  • Why/when to do specification by example, and when not to do it
  • How to formulate important questions with examples
  • How to identify key examples

Module 2 – Getting to the right examples quickly

  • Facilitating specification workshops
  • Avoiding the most common mistakes in product backlog refinement
  • Turning examples into executable specifications

Module 3 – Given-when-then with style

  • What makes a good specification/test
  • Key patterns and practices when defining executable specifications
  • How to capture complex requirements

Module 4 – Improving/refactoring specs

  • Using Example mapping to facilitate discussions and identify questions
  • How to spot common problems and fix them
  • How to clean up legacy specifications/tests

Module 5 – How to fit SBE into the process

  • How this fits into Scrum/Kanban/…
  • What teams that do this really well do differently from those that just waste time
  • How to start changing the process in your company

Learning Objectives

  • How to extend specifications with examples to create a single source of truth for testing and development
  • How to avoid functional gaps and inconsistencies in specifications and tests
  • How to run specification workshops to facilitate collaboration
  • Good practices for designing specifications with examples and acceptance tests for agile teams
  • How to create a living documentation system to facilitate change and improve your process long-term
  • How other teams, from small web startups to large distributed teams in investment banks, apply specification by example in their contexts.

Expect to get your hands dirty – How does it work

The workshop will happen online and in live streaming: the trainer and all other participants will be in a video conference. You’ll be interacting and working together in real-time thanks to a variety of tools you’ll have at your disposal.

The workshop will keep its highly interactive and hands-on spirit despite being online.
This is why we require that all participants keep their webcam on for the whole duration of the workshop: this will enhance the quality of the communication and of the workshop as a whole.
You won’t be sitting at your desk watching slides and videos, and you’ll be engaged in real-time activities for the majority of the time… as if we were in a real classroom!

F.A.Q.

Do I need to know something beforehand in order to participate in this workshop?

Prior experience in delivering software iteratively is useful when attending this workshop, but not required.

Is there anything I must do before I buy a ticket for this online workshop?
If you have a computer/tablet, a stable connection (at least 20 Mbps in download and 10 Mbps in upload), earphones, a microphone, and a webcam, then you’re ready to join the workshop.
You’ll get detailed information on what tools we’ll be using and how to get ready a couple of weeks prior to the workshop.
Check out your connection’s speed.
The workshop will keep its highly interactive and hands-on spirit despite being online. This is why we require that all participants keep their webcam on for the whole duration of the workshop: this will enhance the quality of the communication and of the workshop as a whole.

N.B.

This workshop will be confirmed upon reaching the minimum number of participants. We’ll send an official confirmation to all registered attendees 10-15 days prior to the workshop dates.

Last chance! The last date to buy a ticket for this workshop is Monday 3rd April 2023. If we don’t reach the desired minimum number by then, the workshop will not be confirmed and it will be postponed… don’t wait until the day before to buy the tickets!
The sooner we reach the minimum numbers, the sooner the workshop gets confirmed.

About the workshop

Language: English.
Laptop: Yes, check out the FAQ section.
Maximum number of attendees: 20 participants.
Tools and Workstation: The workshop will take place online and in live streaming by using digital tools. You’ll get detailed information on how to join the online workshop, how to get ready for it and how it will work 10-15 days prior to the workshop.
It is highly recommended that each participant joins the workshop from their own workstation: not sharing one same laptop and/or room with other people will improve the remote experience.

How our tickets work

Tickets

Under_Cover_Learner Discount SAVE 20%

If you’re paying the ticket out of your own pocket and you don’t have a VAT number, you can get a 20% discount on any tickets and on any ticket tiers!

How? Just enter the Under_Cover_Learner promotional code on the field "Enter promo code" in the section above (before hitting the button "Checkout").

Please note: this code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers/discount codes, and it applies to any ticket tier.

Testimonials

Good conversations are key for understanding a domain; good tools are key to drive conversations toward actionable decisions.Mauro Bartolomeoli

Gojko is a fantastic trainer; product teams in companies of any size can get applicable knowledge.
He gives you the tools to improve facilitation techniques to help product teams clarify business needs, and then have a single source of truth that acts as living documentation.Learner who joined the December 2022 edition

Specification By Example is a hands-on workshop that will give you some techniques to use when defining requirements for a new or existing project, focusing on real examples.Cosimo Matteini

Gojko Adzic

Gojko Adzic is a partner at Neuri Consulting LLP. He is the winner of the 2016 European Software Testing Outstanding Achievement Award, and the 2011 Most Influential Agile Testing Professional Award.
Author of: Impact MappingFifty Quick Ideas To Improve Your User StoriesHumans vs Computers.

Gojko’s book Specification by Example won the Jolt Award for the best book of 2012, and his blog won the UK Agile Award for the best online publication in 2010.

Learn more

Videos

Small Talk: an informal chat with Gojko on Impact Mapping.

Facilitating Impact Mapping sessions: the video of our remote meetup with Gojko Adzic.

How serverless apps will impact the future of software architecture: meetup with Gojko Adzic.

Interviews (from our blog)

Is Serverless the future of Cloud Computing?: Luciano Mammino interviews Gojko Adzic.

The Kingdom of Software: our interview with Gojko Adzic.

About us

Avanscoperta is a growing community of professionals learning together, exchanging experiences and ideas, exploring uncharted territories.

We carefully select the most relevant topics and the best trainers and thought leaders worldwide with an eye to the most engaging teaching techniques.
Are you ready to learn with us?

Are you interested in this course?

If you have any specific questions, or if you want to receive more information on dates, content or offers about this course, drop us a line. We'll gladly get back to you!







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