Code, the Universe and Everything.

Nick and I are working on a web application (of which we will blog later). Yesterday evening we organized the first user acceptance test session.
Instead of getting together in one location, we set up a distributed user acceptance test session, using web technology and tools. All participants were at home. We used Skype to set up a communication channel. Skype supports conference calls upto 5 people and that was enough for yesterday’s session. We used Google Docs to share a document where the participants could record issues, suggestions and new features. A Google spreadsheet allows multiple users to edit the spreadsheet simultaneously. It shows which cells are being edited, so that it is clear where another contributor should not change the document. And of course, the participants also opened the web application in a web browser.
When all participants were online with Skype and they had the spreadsheet and the web application open in their browsers, the session started. The conference call enabled us to have discussions about features and issues. The shared spreadsheet enabled us to quickly write down issues and suggestions. All the participants saw the changes to the spreadsheet and could immediately review what was written down. Often this gave rise to new discussions to clarify what was written down and it often resulted in short brainstorms about new features.
The session was fun. We had lively discussions and we laughed with ideas that built on other ideas about extra functionality. The feedback flowed easily into the spreadsheet. We had interesting discussions about end-user and technical aspects of the application. One participant’s girlfriend joined the conversation and gave very good feedback from an end-user standpoint.
From this session I learned that the right tools are available to set up distributed work sessions. I really enjoyed it and I hope to do it again soon. I like to thank the participants for their contribution. We owe them a beer.