MIND MAPS: A Powerful Tool to aid Testing Thought Process

Abstract: This hands-on tutorial starts from the basics of mind-mapping to the power of mind maps in the testing process. There is no prior experience required in terms of mind-mapping skills. Mind-mapping is a useful approach to brainstorm ideas, encourage thoughts, quick review and have ideas on a single page. There are many tools available for creating mind maps. A list can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept-_and_mind-mapping_software

Through this session, Ajay will demonstrate on how to create your first mind map and the common traps to avoid. He will also share the various tips from his experience of creating mind maps and helping his organization adopt mind maps at every level. He will also demonstrate its usage at different levels - functional, unit tests, feature, product and project plans. At the end of the session the audience will learn to create mind maps and know their power as a useful test tool.

Ajay will also highlight how his company has started using mind maps to track requirements to test ideas to reviews to analyze the health of the product.

Do come along to the session with your laptop with Free Mind or XMind installed to be able to truly benefit from the session.

Download Pdf

Speaker's Profile

Ajay Balamurugadas

Ajay Balamurugadas,
Senior QA Engineer,
Fiberlink Communications


Ajay Balamurugadas is a software tester, recipient of 'Bach Brothers' Testing Legion of Merit' award, co-founder of @weekendtesting & @PLP_Learning, blackbelt @ MiagiDo testing school. He is very passionate about software testing and shares his learning on his blog - www.EnjoyTesting.blogspot.com. He has written four short books on software testing.

Being a student of context-driven testing school, he recognizes the benefits of cost v/s value. He uses mind maps to jot down his test ideas and track the project’s health. Ajay is credited with introducing mind maps at Fiberlink across development, testing and project management teams. He was even awarded ‘Best New Joinee’ for his impact within six months of joining the company.  Join Ajay as he shares his expertise in mindmapping and why he thinks that this tool should be part of every tester’s toolkit.

Ajay has also conducted workshops in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad on using mind maps in the day-to-day testing process.