Seasons Greetings! Thank you for joining us for our fifth annual podcast at Christmastime, this year's festive cheers with the Testing Peers brings Russell, Simon, David, Tara, Beth & Chris together to refine the holiday season backlog [see the footnote after the sponsor message for more details].

Who doesn't feel the festive warm & fuzzies over a refinement session?

Before we jump in, Russell warms us all up with an ice breaker based on Christmas drink preferences.

The we all dive in.

Chris (the business - in this case) has populated a series of epics for the team of Peers to commit to delegating Christmas on time.

Christmas Tree Size Estimation Framework: From desk-sized (1) to forest-worthy (6).

• Epics:
  • Festive Décor: Lights, trees, & cosy vibes (no tinsel, for the pets!).
  • Festive Events: Baking nights, light tours & Secret Santa.
  • Gift-Giving: Thoughtful presents, no gimmicks.
  • Holiday Self-Care: Quiet evenings & avoiding burnout.
  • Traditions: Advent calendars, holiday movies, & music playlists.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from us all here at Peers HQ

The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.

Thanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.

nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They’ve been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing & fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers & they’ve now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!

nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.

www.nfocus.co.uk & info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.

Holiday Season Backlog

The Peers embraced their festive spirit by creating a "Holiday Season Backlog," blending testing concepts with holiday preparation! Here's the breakdown:

Christmas Tree Size Framework

• 6: Forest
• 5: Town Square
• 4: Shopping Centre
• 3: Fancy House
• 2: Modest House
• 1: Desk

Definition of Ready (DoR): 3 Peers agree it’s ready
Definition of Done (DoD): Santa’s approval! 🎅

Epics and User Stories

1. Festive Décor - Town Square

Goal: Transform spaces into magical holiday settings.

• Tasks: Fairy lights, tree decorations, wreaths, and cushions.
• Requirements: Keep it cosy and avoid tinsel (pets say no!).

2. Festive Events - Town Square

Goal: Spread holiday cheer through activities.

• Tasks: Tree-lighting ceremony, film marathons, Secret Santa, baking nights, and light tours.
• Risks: Festive fatigue from over-scheduling.

3. Gift-Giving - Fancy House

Goal: Thoughtful gifts for smiles and joy.

• Tasks: Draft gift lists, set postage reminders, donate to charity, and avoid gimmicky gadgets.

4. Holiday Self-Care - Modest House

Goal: Maintain mental well-being during the holidays.

• Tasks: Relaxing evenings, “no obligation” days, acts of kindness, and avoiding burnout.

5. Festive Traditions - Forest

Goal: Celebrate beloved seasonal traditions.

• Tasks: Advent calendars, holiday movies, music playlists, theatre shows, and family games.
• Notes: Self-care wins over endless activities.

Highlights:

• Peer collaboration: Everything was

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