Plenary Speakers

Dr.Richard Zultner, Zultner & Co, USA
Why Test? Improving the System of Software Development

Software development is a system. So what role does testing play? To find and remove defects? No. That is a minor role. Testing is truly required for improvement of the system. In a system, testing is essential for learning, for feedback, and for improvement. Testing, both internal and external, is where we listen to the Voice of the Process, and learn how to improve -- or not...


Timothy Korson, Korson McGregor, USA
The role of testers in the Rational Unified Process

An iterative/incremental software development process affects every aspect of a software project. Much has been written about how the developers and managers are affected, but little attention has been paid to the impact on testers. The presenter will discuss his experiences helping companies implement best current practices and will make recommendations as to the role testers ought to play in a modern software development process.

Felix Redmill, Redmill Consulting, UK
A Reappraisal of Testing

This talk will propose a reappraisal of testing, and a shift of the focus of test planning from efficiency to risk-based effectiveness. It will show why an intuitive notion of risk is inadequate as a basis for test planning, and why an educational programme is required. It will also show that truly risk-based planning would lead to improvements in project infrastructure and management as well as in testing.The talk will be illustrated with examples of risk in decision-making, perception, and communication.


Srini Koppolu, Microsoft, India
Overview of Microsoft's .Net platform 

Microsoft is creating an advanced new generation of software that will drive the Next Generation Internet. We call this initiative Microsoft(r) .NET, and its purpose is to make information available any time, any place, on any device. The driving force behind Microsoft .NET is a shift in focus from individual Web sBPO or devices to new constellations of computers, devices, and services that work together to deliver broader, richer solutions. People will have control over how, when, and what information is delivered to them.

Srini is Managing Director of Microsoft India Development Center . He did his MS Computer Science from University of Louisiana, Lafeyette. He joined Microsoft has been with MS since then. While working at Redmond, held various roles including Development Lead and Development Manager in various product groups. He is a key contributor to Office, Windows and holds many patents


P.J.Ananthakrishnan, Rational, India
Software Testing is not an Oxymoron

Software testing has throughout history exhibited itself as a troublesome beast, difficult to control, understand or use effectively. We are still quite a way from anything like standard approaches, methods, technologies, tools or any other aspect of the issue that can make it really easy. This presentation therefore is intended to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in software testing, in terms of process, techniques, tools, and people. Some of the taxonomies proposed in classifying software testing, aspects of test planning, design, execution, analysis, and reporting, and initiatives undertaken in automated testing are introduced. The main theme that emerges is the need to take test away from the program code as far as is feasible, tie it into models as early as possible, and make it the task of every developer as far as possible. Quality By Design, rather than Quality By Assurance/verification.

Mr. P.J.Anantha Krishnan has over 20 years experience in I.T. He has worked on a wide variety of assignments in software development, systems management, project management, process definition and implementation and quality systems. His I.T. experience spans Business systems, Real Time systems, Aerospace Design and Analysis and CAD/CAM systems. He is particularly involved in training, mentoring and helping clients adopt modern good software engineering practices, including Rational’s Objectory/Unified Process.He has a Master’s Degree in Electronics from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore following the Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics from Indian Institute of Technology Madras.


Dr.Prakash Mutalik, RelQ
Testing to improve projects’ productivity – RelQ’s experience

Thorough testing is one of the key necessities for developing good quality software. Need for testing is more acutely felt as the software complexity increases or when software is mission critical. In this session, the speaker discusses some of the models / technologies he has employed in couple of projects. He would discuss few case studies. He would also outline concept of ‘Test knowledge engine’ which would further boost testing productivity.

Dr. Mutalik is a co-founder and President of RelQ Software, a global company specialized in Independent Validation & Verification. He has over 26 years of experience in the software industry in India and USA and has served corporations such as Hewlett Packard and Wipro.


Dr.Janaki Ram, IIT-Chennai
Stress Testing of Software Components

The key to success of component oriented software development is testing of these components. Since components are expected to be used in contexts other than they are orginally developed, component testing assumes significant importance. We argue in this talk that true components needs to be tested for more generalized specifications. A component in this approach consists of context independent behavioural specification and a context-sensitive behavioural specification. The context sensitive specification is addressed in the glue component. The "stress testing" introduces techniques for testing the glue component. The technique is introduced with a number of simple examples. The technique is currently under development at the Distributed and Object Technology Lab at IIT,
Madras.

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