May 15th, 2023 by Kendra Stansel
That's that! Another InflectraCON in the books.
The 2023 event was held from April 19-21 in the heart of the nation's capital, focusing on the sub-themes of Quality, Agility, and Security.
InflectraCON 2023, the annual conference hosted by Inflectra, recently concluded, leaving attendees buzzing with excitement and armed with a wealth of knowledge. As a prominent event in the software testing and project management community, InflectraCON provided a platform for industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices.
In this blog, we will take a look at the key highlights and takeaways from InflectraCON 2023.
But first, this. 👇🏽
Thank you, guests, Inflectra partners and sponsors, for helping make InflectraCON 2023 possible, and a great shout out to the #TeamInflectra for all of your hard work!
Key successes at InflectraCON 2023:
- Diverse Perspectives and Engaging Sessions: InflectraCON 2023 offered a remarkable lineup of sessions featuring speakers from all over the world who shared their expertise, experiences, and innovative approaches. Attendees had the opportunity to dive deep into topics such as test automation, agile methodologies, DevOps, and project management.
- Exploring Emerging Trends: One of the standout aspects of InflectraCON 2023 was its focus on exploring emerging trends reshaping the software testing landscape. The conference provided a glimpse into the industry’s future, with sessions on AI-powered testing, machine learning, and the impact of IoT on testing practices. More on this below!
- Industry-Leading Tools and Technologies: InflectraCON 2023 also showcased Inflectra’s industry-leading tools and technologies. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with product experts and witness live demonstrations of Inflectra’s comprehensive suite of software testing and project management solutions. From the robust test management platform SpiraTest to the scriptless test automation platform Rapise, Inflectra demonstrated how its tools could streamline processes, enhance productivity, and drive efficiency across organizations of all sizes.
- Networking and Collaboration: InflectraCON 2023 provided a vibrant networking environment, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among attendees. But also a ton of fun!
Key Takeaways:
Let’s delve into some of the insights shared during the InflectraCON 2023, providing a glimpse into the future of technology:
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Inflection Point of AI: “With AI, we are at an inflection point.” - Adam Sandman. The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have brought us to a crucial turning point. AI is transforming various industries, revolutionizing processes, and opening new possibilities.
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Risk Analysis and Testing: “You can’t test a program completely.” - Bob Crews. Testing every aspect of a complex software program is a daunting task. Prioritizing testing based on risk exposure allows organizations to focus on critical areas and ensure efficient testing practices.
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Design Thinking for Agile Teaming: “Design thinking forces you to consider multiple perspectives.” - Jenn Bonine. Design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving, encourages teams to empathize with users and consider diverse perspectives. By adopting this mindset, organizations can create more user-centric solutions and enhance customer experience, ultimately gaining a competitive edge.
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Finding Efficiencies in SDLC: “Agile ceremonies are essential, even if they don’t always seem to be an efficient use of time.” - Melissa Tondi. Efficient software development life cycle (SDLC) practices are crucial for successful project delivery. This talk highlighted the significance of Agile ceremonies, such as planning meetings and kick-offs, in establishing clarity, aligning team members, and avoiding duplication of efforts.
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Agile Approach and Scaling: “Building scaffolding in jello.” - Adam Sandman. Scaling Agile practices requires a solid foundation and adaptability. This talk emphasized the importance of flexibility and robust frameworks to support Agile transformations. Scaling Agile successfully involves aligning teams, establishing visibility, and ensuring traceability across the software supply chain.
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The Science of Testing: “Testers and scientists are one and the same.” - Thomas Haver. Testing is not just about following predefined steps; it involves scientific thinking, experimentation, and questioning assumptions. Testers play a vital role in identifying nonconformance to requirements and ensuring software quality.
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Accelerating Quality with Conscious Deliveries: “It is always cheaper to do things right the first time.” - Lalitkumar Bhamare. Addressing the underlying causes of issues and focusing on quality from the early stages of development saves time and costs. In this talk, Lalitkumar highlighted the importance of aligning engineering actions with business goals and taking a proactive approach to quality.
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Shifting Left and Kicking Off: “The Kick-Off meeting is the most important meeting in the QA journey - never miss it!” - Kevin Harris. The Kick-Off meeting sets the stage for successful QA journeys. By ensuring early involvement, collaboration, and clear communication, teams can align their efforts, set expectations, and lay a strong foundation for the project.
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Accessibility: "Being an A11y: Why Accessibility Advocacy Matters" - Michael Larsen. Michael stressed the importance of inclusive design and accessibility in technology and reiterated that accessibility benefits all users without compromising functionality.
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The Dark Side of Test Automation: “We test to make sure risks don’t become a reality…automation helps you speed up but not improve that coverage.” - Jan Jaap Cannegieter. While test automation brings efficiency to software testing, it should not be seen as a silver bullet. This insight reminds us that automation should be complemented by thoughtful testing strategies, risk analysis, and continuous improvement to ensure comprehensive test coverage.
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Communications in the team: "Change Your Language, Change Your Mindset” - Steve Moubray. The speaker emphasized the significance of open and transparent communication in driving successful outcomes and encouraged attendees to build trust, avoid stacked questions, and embrace silence for effective communication.
Workshops at InflectraCON 2023
- Workshop: RiskStorming – Build a Strategy That Matters: Ard Kramer’s workshop on RiskStorming highlighted the importance of building effective strategies while considering potential risks. By encouraging participants to think critically and develop risk-infused strategies, the session emphasized the need to assess and address uncertainties proactively. This focus on risk management reflects the growing recognition of its significance in technology-driven initiatives, ensuring successful outcomes and minimizing potential disruptions.
- Sadly, the Leadership development workshop had to be canceled due to the personal issues of the speaker.
From Inflectra’s loyal customers:
- Implementation of Spira in a Pharmaceutical SW Validation: Ram Sridharan shared insights into the implementation of Spira in pharmaceutical software validation. With the focus on leveraging SpiraPlan as an easy-to-use yet powerful tool, Sridharan highlighted the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of this approach. The availability of regulated industry workflow templates within Spira facilitated compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements and resulted in significant time savings, reducing efforts by approximately 40%. This trend toward utilizing streamlined and specialized tools in highly regulated industries demonstrates the increasing adoption of tailored solutions to meet specific needs.
From Inflectra’s own bright minds:
- Emerging Trends in Risk-infused Leadership: Sriram Rajagopalan’s session explored the convergence of various technologies and their implications for risk-infused leadership. The insight that human intelligence will always surpass artificial intelligence emphasizes the importance of human judgment and decision-making in technology-driven environments. As technology advances rapidly, the need for effective leadership, informed decision-making, and ethical considerations become even more critical.
InflectraCON 2023 Videos and Photos:
We have curated a collection of videos and photos to relive the engaging sessions and captivating moments from InflectraCON 2023. Access the conference’s official website or subscribe to the InflectraCON newsletter for exclusive access to these media assets.
In closing, InflectraCON 2023 was an overwhelming success, leaving attendees inspired, informed, and equipped with the tools and knowledge to excel in the ever-evolving software testing and project management landscape.
As we look forward to future editions of InflectraCON, we are excited to witness the continued growth and innovation within the software testing and project management community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers, attendees, and sponsors who made InflectraCON 2023 a resounding success.
Let’s carry forward the knowledge, connections, and inspiration from this conference and continue to drive excellence in our respective organizations and the industry.
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