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Performance validation dimension

1 - Reactive

Description

  • The tribe has little to no focus on performance testing.
  • Performance issues are typically identified after the release, leading to a lack of stability and scalability in the product.
  • Any testing that occurs is often reactive and might be triggered by evident performance issues in production.
  • No standard tools or techniques are in place, and there's a lack of documentation regarding any performance testing that does occur.
  • There's no structured documentation or clear understanding of performance requirements.

2 - Managed

Description

  • The tribe recognizes the importance of performance testing and has begun to define basic performance criteria.
  • Basic performance tests, such as load tests, are performed, mainly during the final stages of the development cycle.
  • Basic tools for performance testing are introduced, but usage is inconsistent.
  • There's a limited understanding of performance benchmarks, and results are documented but might not be systematically analyzed.
  • Performance issues might still be identified late in the development process.
  • Test environments are identified, but they may not be fully representative of the production environment.

3 - Defined

Description

  • Performance strategy, practices and testing are formalized and integrated into the software development lifecycle.
  • There's an established process for responding to performance incidents and to learn from these incidents to prevent future occurrences.
  • Performance testing is scheduled at regular intervals or specific phases of the project lifecycle.
  • Performance requirements are documented and aligned with business needs.
  • The tribe defines specific performance criteria for each project and performs various types of performance tests, such as stress, endurance, and spike tests.
  • Performance results are documented, analyzed, and shared with relevant stakeholders.
  • Testing environments are more consistent and closely mirror production.

4 - Measured

Description

  • Performance testing is data-driven and metrics-oriented.
  • The tribe collects, analyzes, and uses performance data to make informed decisions.
  • Automated performance tests run regularly as part of the CI/CD pipeline, and any deviations are flagged and fixed proactively.
  • Performance testing feedback is used not just for reactive fixes, but also for proactive design and architectural decisions.
  • Testing environments are fully representative of production systems.

5 - Optimized

Description

  • The tribe uses a holistic approach to performance, considering every aspect from code level optimizations to infrastructure and scalability.
  • Continuous learning and improvements are emphasized, with feedback loops driving enhancements to both the software and the testing processes.
  • Ongoing performance monitoring and optimization in the production environment.
  • Historical performance data is leveraged to predict and prevent potential future issues, and there's a continuous feedback loop between developers, testers, and operations teams to ensure optimal performance throughout the application's lifecycle.

Guiding questions

  1. Performance Testing Integration: How effectively are performance testing practices integrated into our development and deployment cycles, what steps can we take to enhance this integration, and how do you ensure it reflects real-world usage scenarios?
  2. Scalability and Load Handling: How does our current approach assess and ensure the scalability and load-handling capacity of our software, and what improvements can be implemented for better handling of peak usage scenarios?
  3. Performance Issue Identification and Resolution: What mechanisms are in place for early identification and prompt resolution of performance issues during development, and how can these mechanisms be enhanced?
  4. Incident Response and Recovery: How does your team handle performance-related incidents, and what processes are in place for quick recovery and prevention of future issues?
  5. User Experience Focus: How is user experience regarding software performance monitored and improved upon, and what strategies can we adopt to prioritize performance in the context of user satisfaction?
  6. Performance Metrics and Benchmarks: What specific performance metrics and benchmarks are currently being used to measure the software's efficiency, and how can these be optimized for more accurate and comprehensive evaluation?
  7. Continuous Improvement and Learning: What practices does our team have in place for continuous learning and improvement in performance validation, and how can we foster a culture that consistently adapts to emerging performance challenges and technologies?
  8. Knowledge Sharing and Training: How is knowledge about performance optimization and best practices disseminated within the team, and what training or learning resources are available?
  9. How well does your team understand and define the performance requirements for your products? Are these requirements aligned with business needs and customer expectations?
  10. How do we monitor and optimize the performance of our software in the production environment? What processes are in place to ensure continuous improvement post-deployment?
  11. Are your testing environments fully representative of your production systems, and how is performance testing integrated into your Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline?
  12. How do you ensure a holistic approach to performance, encompassing code optimizations, infrastructure, scalability, and continuous learning, and what feedback loops are in place for ongoing improvement?