The document outlines an approach called "Descriptive-Prescriptive" for better problem solving. It involves first describing a problem by connecting elements and details to understand it fully ("Analysis"), then prescribing rules and conditions to formulate a solution ("Synthesis"). This approach can be applied to test baselining, strategy formulation, test design, and reporting. Diagrams and examples are provided to illustrate applying description and prescription at different stages. The approach forms the basis of a personal test methodology called HBT, which uses six stages and eight disciplines of thinking.

1. Think better using
"Descriptive-Prescriptive" approach
T Ashok
Founder & CEO
STAG Software Private Limited
in.linkedin.com/in/AshokSTAG
ash_thiru

2. Outline
Testing is interesting as it is unbounded. Customer expectations
constantly expand, overall development effort/time is expected to
shrink and quality constantly increase!
This requires good problem analysis and solution synthesis skills.
This talk outlines an interesting thinking approach where analysis is
done via "structured description" and solution synthesised via
"prescription formulation".
Finally how can this approach be applied in
test baselining, strategy formulation,
test design, intelligent reporting.
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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3. Problem Solving
Understand the problem
“Analysis”
Formulate the solution
“Synthesis”
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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4. Problem Solving
Understand the problem
“Analysis”
Story telling aids understanding.
Describe.
Detail the elements. The dot(s).
Describing is connecting the dots.
And then the questions pop up.
Formulate the solution
“Synthesis”
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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5. Problem Solving
Understand the problem
“Analysis”
State rules to follow.
Prescribe.
Identify conditions.
String them.
Then it seems easy!
Formulate the solution
“Synthesis”
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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6. Problem Solving
Understand the problem
“Analysis”
Story telling aids understanding.
Describe.
Detail the elements. The dot(s).
Describing is connecting the dots.
And then the questions pop up.
State rules to follow.
Prescribe.
Identify conditions.
String them.
Then it seems easy!
Formulate the solution
“Synthesis”
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
6

7. Layered Information
Customer
Why is it needed?
Who needs it?
End user
What is needed?
When is it used?
Engineer
How is it used?
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
Baseline
Strategy Plan
Report
Design
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8. “Print Feature”
Describe
Prescribe
What, whom, when, how much...
Connect dots.Set baseline. Behaviour conditions.
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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9. Understand Baseline
Descriptive approach
The typical specification described in natural language.
Aided by diagrams.
Prescriptive approach
User and their Needs
F1
U1
**
U2
*
F2
F3
Baseline (Expectations)
F4
*
C1
F2
***
*
*
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
x
x
F3
x
C2
C4
x
F4
U3
F1
C2
x
x
x
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10. Test Design
Descriptive approach
We describe the pre-conditions, steps to do..
Prescriptive approach
Behaviour modelling
One liner scenarios
Tabular test cases
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11. Reporting Managing
Descriptive approach
How does this impact the customer experience, release,
internal costs
Prescriptive approach
The various charts depicting progress, quality, coverage
Quality chart
C1
C2
C2
C4
F1
F2
F3
F4
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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12. Descriptive-Prescriptive Approach forms the basis of
HBT - A personal test methodology
SIX staged purposeful activities,
Powered by EIGHT disciplines of thinking
SIX Stages of DOING
S1: Understand expectations
S2: Understand context
S3: Formulate hypothesis
S4: Devise proof
S5: Tooling support
S6: Assess Analyse
S1
S6
D1
D2
D8
S5
Core Concepts
D7
D6
D3
D5
D4
S4
S2
EIGHT Disciplines of Thinking
D1: Business value understanding
D2: Defect hypothesis
D3: Strategy Planning
D4: Test design
D5: Tooling
D6:Visibility
D7: Execution Reporting
D8: Analysis Management
S3
Uses 32 Core Concepts
For Problem solving
- Techniques, Principles, Guideline
Click here to know more about HBT.
http://stagsoftware.com/blog?p=570
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
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13. Thank you!
Have a great conference.
HBT is the intellectual property of STAG Software Private Limited.
STEMTM is the trademark of STAG Software Private Limited.
© 2013 STAG Software Private Limited. All rights reserved.
www.stagsoftware.com