So.. I need to train the team on Unit Testing - could use C&C on lesson plan

Question

So - management is looking to do a push to move towards doing unit-testing in all the applications moving forward - and eventually get into full TDD/Continuous Integration/Autom

Answer 1

I helped design and run a Test Driven Development training in house at my company for Java developers. We ended up doing it as a full day training, and we broke it up similar to how you have here.

1. Why do testing?
2. Simple example.
3. More complex example.

One thing I must stress though, is people need to learn by doing.

For my training, we set up a lab environment where each student could start with the same snapshot of code, and develop and run the tests themselves, with instructors walking around the training room helping individuals who were confused or weren't getting it.

For the "Simple Example" we had a "cooking show" version of code that was on a projector and went through the TDD process step by step. Developers would have to go through the process of writing a test, then creating implementation that was just sufficient to pass the test, then repeat. At each phase, a prepared solution to the current phase was shown on the projector after the students had some time to try it on their own.

For the "Complex Example" we created a set of requirements, and then allowed the students to come up with their own solutions using TDD to do so. We even had an exercise where requirements surprise, surprise changed suddenly part way through the exercise.

I like your idea of doing it over a longer period of time with regular checkups. One downfall of our training was a lack of followup. Developers benefited by the training, I'm sure, but many I think, did not take the practice back to their ordinary work. Regular checkups would help instill unit testing as a matter of habit.

For more ideas, check out my answer to this question.