2025-2026 Testing Retrospective
Overview
The Testing Subteam had a highly productive 2025–2026 term, achieving all goals put forth. Major accomplishments included:
Onboarding new Testing Subteam members
Completing the Conditional Statements Project
Welcoming the new Standards and Testing Archivist
Completing regression testing on the ArchivesSpace 4.2 release
Completing two rounds of assigned Jira tickets for bugs and feature requests
Handoff to incoming Lead and recruitment of incoming Vice Lead
Onboarding New Testing Subteam Members
This term, the Testing Subteam had 13 members, 4 of whom were new to the subteam. During the first quarter, the Lead and Vice Lead held 2 onboarding sessions introducing new members to the overall work and goals of the Testing Subteam, as well as the Conditional Statements Project.
Completing the Conditional Statements Project
The Conditional Statements Project was initiated during the 2024–2025 term and carried over into 2025–2026. Subteam members were assigned work across functional areas, with the project running from September 2025 through February 2026.
Welcoming the New Standards and Testing Archivist
With the arrival of Standards and Testing Archivist Martha Tenney, the Testing Subteam saw the Conditional Statements work put directly into action. Martha introduced the subteam to an initiative to translate the Conditional Statements into the Gherkin/Cucumber framework, with the goal of automating future regression testing, allowing testers to focus their energy on more complex work requiring human interpretation.
Martha also coordinated functional area assignments for regression testing on the 4.2 release, and along with the Lead and Vice Lead, scheduled and facilitated several coworking sessions where subteam members could test collaboratively and ask questions of the group.
Jira Ticket Testing
Two rounds of Jira tickets covering bugs and feature requests were assigned to the subteam: one in winter and one in spring. Both rounds were completed in a timely manner, with Martha providing coordination and support throughout.
Handoff to Incoming Lead and Vice Lead
The 2026–2027 Lead will be Stacy Haponik. In April 2026, Barbara Ilie was welcomed as incoming Vice Lead, and we are grateful for her willingness to volunteer in this role. A handoff meeting was coordinated by Martha in May 2026, where relevant documentation was shared with incoming leadership.
What Went Well
The Conditional Statements Project, carried over from the previous term, was brought to completion. This is a significant milestone for the subteam's long-term goals.
The arrival of the Standards and Testing Archivist meaningfully reduced the operational burden on the Lead and Vice Lead, allowing for smoother coordination of testing windows, coworking sessions, and ticket assignments.
Coworking sessions continued to be valuable for both new and returning members, providing structured time to test collaboratively and address questions.
Leadership succession went smoothly: both an incoming Lead and Vice Lead were confirmed before the end of the term.
What Could Be Improved
The Conditional Statements Project was a huge lift, that coincided with both the beginning of the academic term, as well as winter holidays. Additionally, while this work was being completed, we were assigned a fresh crop of Jira tickets, which took additional time to complete. Large-scale projects like this may benefit from a more explicit scoping conversation at the start of the term, so members can anticipate the workload.
Roster Changes for Next Term
Lead: Stacy Haponik (TAC)
Vice Lead: Barbara Ilie (TAC)