Holistic Testing - Lisa Crispin

Software Testing Unleashed - Better Teams. Better Software. Better World.

Creating a Quality Mindset and Build Better Software

"I've seen so many times when we put something on a whiteboard, whether it's physical or virtual, it triggers an idea in somebody like, oh, I just thought of this thing that's going to save us, you know, 180% of our time." - Lisa Crispin

In this episode, I talk to Lisa Crispin about holistic testing and what it really means for teams striving for better software quality. Lisa brings her experience to the conversation, sharing how testing is much more than a stage or a checklist - it’s a mindset that weaves through every part of the development process. We dig into the practical side: how teams can focus on both internal and external quality, the value of strong relationships, and the power of good questions. It’s clear: true quality comes from collaboration and curiosity, not just tools or process. There’s a lot for teams to rethink here.

Lisa Crispin is a consultant, author and speaker based in Vermont, USA. She and Janet Gregory have co-authored four books, most recently Holistic Testing: Weave Quality Into Your Product. They have also developed two courses taught by training providers around the world.

Highlights:

• Holistic testing involves quality activities throughout the entire software development cycle.
• Testers should lead by asking questions and fostering team-wide quality ownership.
• Visual tools like mind maps strengthen collaboration and shared understanding.
• Building strong relationships across roles boosts quality and team effectiveness.
• Investing in planning and risk assessment prevents rework and ensures better outcomes.