The How and When of Communication
Ever struggled to communicate test progress, influence a stakeholder, or win support for a quality improvement initiative? Do you find it hard to help developers appreciate the value of building testing into the lifecycle? Have you seen ineffective communication reduce the chances of gaining approval for AI initiatives or other important changes? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then this session is for you. Julie Gardiner shares key ingredients for getting your message across more effectively. She introduces a communication model she has used for nearly 25 years in her career and explores how the science of timing can play a major part in how communication is received. Through exercises, you will understand your own communication style and that of others, along with other factors that influence communication, such as the recipients’ skills model, energy level, and chronotype. Julie will also discuss how AI can support communication and share monitoring techniques that can be used to show test progress more clearly and credibly. If you want to explore the more intricate elements of communication—the how, what, and when—then this tutorial is for you.
Julie Gardiner works as a Principal Consultant at EPAM Systems, providing consultancy, delivery, and advice in all aspects of testing, management, and agile/DevOps. She is a certified Scrum Master and agile coach, who has over 25 years of experience, including time as a Developer, DBA, Project Manager, Head of Operations Management, and Head of R&D. She has held positions of Test Analyst, Test Team Leader, Test Consultant, and Test Manager, Head of Test and Agile roles in the public sector and in financial, broadcasting, insurance, utilities, retail, web, and telecom industries using both traditional and agile methodologies. Before joining EPAM, Julie’s previous roles included Director of Consulting (Digital Engineering and TQA) for Hitachi Consulting, Head of Test and Implementation at a UK Bank, and Director of Product Management for CA Technologies. An enthusiastic and passionate speaker, Julie has presented worldwide as a keynote, tutorial, or track speaker and has won Best Speaker awards at many testing and agile events.