While I neither have the time to sit on the board of the AST nor knew how to get myself nominated even if I did, this is post will outline where I think AST should be heading for the next year.

  1. According to the various documents available on the site, part of the AST mission is providing forums for discussion of all aspects of software testing through conferences, publications, web sites, and other services. One of the objectives is also to encourage, facilitate, and coordinate partnerships between testing practitioners and testing researchers. I think these are very valuable statements of intent for the AST but am afraid we are not quite pulling it off. If you look at the board one or two degrees of seperation around it, it acts as a whos who of those affiliated with the context school of thought. I think AST needs to reach out to other thought leaders in the greater testing community and welcome them into the fold regardless of philosophical conflicts on such contencious issues as certification. There is the perception already that we have blown this one for just that reason and it was a relief to see someone share the same concern that I’ve had for some time now.
  2. I would like to see a more interactive web site. Currently it is very brochure-ish with static information. I realize that we just got a new webmaster and he may have ideas for the sit, but I would like to see
    • all the Call For Participations for AST supported workshops (with RSS so I don’t have to keep checking the page)
    • minutes for board meetings to know what decisions are being made and the discussions that took place in making them
    • a list of the projects that AST is willing to help fund and/or needs help with
    • a wiki for member generated content; I’m not sure what content there would be, but I can see things like book and tool reviews, annoucements of local QA/Test meetings, etc.
    • a list of AST endorsed facilitators so people wanting to bring the LAWST style of facilitation to their organization / event can arrange it
  3. I think we need to clearly define and announce the value proposition that AST offers it’s members other than a discount for CAST and a journal that has yet to be published. I’m not saying I regret purchasing a membership but other than those two I just mentioned, the only thing I get to claim is that I belong to the club.

Where would you like AST to go in the next year? Remember to let them know soon via email.