May 2019 Meeting

May 2019 Atlanta SPIN Meeting Information

SCRUM Implementation by the Test Automation Framework @ GTRI
Presented By Jonah Urquhart

Wednesday May 22nd at 6pm

About The Presentation

Managing ongoing software development with traditional waterfall methodology can lead to delays and inefficiencies. Over the term of the project, scope can fluctuate in ways that waterfall methods fail to address properly, leading to a poor-quality project and deliverables. For teams like the Test Automation Framework, the ability to adapt quickly to changes in scope and handle high-priority requests is paramount to the success of the project. For this reason, the Test Automation Framework utilizes SCRUM, a specific kind of Agile Software Development.  

SCRUM is a lightweight framework for Agile Software Development that is geared towards handling unpredictability and changing product requirements. SCRUM makes use of several specific meetings and artifacts, with the goal of keeping each member of the team involved and aware of the whole lifecycle of the product, putting emphasis on openness. Officially, the SCRUM values are Courage, Focus, Commitment, Respect, and Openness.  

The result of these values and this approach is a software development team that works together closely in short cycles, known as “sprints”, to tackle a list of tasks, known as “tickets”, constantly evaluating and optimizing the process by addressing weaknesses and strengths of the team.  

In this presentation we will discuss the core aspects of SCRUM. We will discuss the way that the Test Automation Framework has approached SCRUM, how we track and optimize performance, and what we have seen works well and does not. We will talk about how TAF has implemented the core values and aspects of SCRUM and what we have done to tailor the framework for our use. Finally, we will briefly discuss how an existing software development team might transition to an agile methodology like SCRUM.  

About The Presenter

Jonah Urquhart is a Co-Op Student for the Quality Control and Test Branch (QCTB) at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Jonah is a 4th year student at Kennesaw State University, working to complete a BS in Electrical Engineering with a Minor in Computer Science. Since starting at GTRI in January of 2018, Jonah has worked on the Test Automation Framework (TAF), working to expand and improve the TAF as it evolves.  

Prior to employment at Georgia Tech Research Institute, Jonah has worked as an Electrical Integrator for non-destructive ultrasonic testing solutions, and as a 3D Simulator and Designer for Military indoor virtual training systems.  


Click the button below to register today, it’s free!

Eventbrite - May 2019 General Meeting

Location Information:
6 Concourse Parkway
Suite 1500
Atlanta, GA 30328
Location Sponsor:

RGP Logo
Atlanta SPIN is proud to partner with RGP as our location sponsor. To learn more about them and their services, please click the logo above.

Meeting Agenda:

  • 6PM – 7PM – Networking
  • 7PM – 7:15PM – Announcements
  • 7:15PM – 8:15PM – Presentation
  • 8:15PM – 8:30PM – Post presentation wrap up