The Calgary Perspectives on Software Testing Workshop, POST, is an annual peer workshop for software test practitioners, co-founded and co-hosted by Lynn McKee and Nancy Kelln. POST aims to provide an intensive opportunity for experienced individuals who are both passionate and thoughtful about their work in software testing to get together and share their experiences and insights. The workshop also strives to promote contributions to the field, and help to move thinking about testing forward. Each workshop focuses on a single topic in software testing.

The POST model is simple. A small group of committed people gather for a couple of days over a weekend, to explore in depth a single topic important to software testing. Each participant is asked to come prepared to present informally and briefly on his or her experience with the topic.

The primary basis of the workshop format is the sharing of experience reports. In an experience report the presenter stands up and informally tells a story. During presentations, participants are asked to hold their questions and ask only clarifying questions if required. Once the presenter has finished, there will be a facilitated discussion based on the experience report. During this discussion participants may dig deeper into the content, present counter experiences, or share affirmations about something experienced by the speaker.

Facilitation is key to the POST workshops as they are highly interactive. Discussions are often engaging and can be intense. Intense discussions are permitted as long as they remain professional and relate to the presented material, not the presenter. The facilitator manages the discussion and presentation questions. The facilitation technique used by the POST workshop allows for diverse conversation on the topic and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to speak. The workshop is facilitated by a single volunteer with strong facilitation skills.

There are no formal minutes, although participants can share their personal notes. For each workshop a web page will be created on the POST website to capture the abstracts, key findings and feedback from the event. Following the workshop itself, more discussion can take place on the Calgary Perspectives on Software Testing LinkedIn Group .

All participants are encouraged to publish the workshop's discussions and findings. The only restriction is that you must credit the POST workshop and all of its participants in your publication. Please see the IP Agreement for all attendees.

Topic selection will consider emerging trends, industry challenges, burning issues or topics of special interest to the Calgary area. Any topic selected will be narrow enough in scope to ensure it can be reasonably covered within the timeframe available. Topic ideas for future workshops are welcomed. Please submit your ideas via email .

Workshop attendance is by invitation only to ensure a high level of participation and professional commitment, and is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. All participants are expected to develop a presentation on the workshop topic based on their own experience. There is no charge for the workshop sessions although participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation if required, and for any associated costs. Light refreshments will be provided, however, attendees are responsible for their own meals. See Attending POST for more details.

The Calgary Perspectives on Software Testing Workshop, POST, is not affiliated with any organization.

The Calgary Perspectives on Software Testing Workshop is modeled on the Toronto Workshop on Software Testing, TWST. TWST is modeled on the Los Altos Workshop on Software Testing, LAWST.