I can’t say it’s been a horribly eventful week; that, coupled with the loss of over half of week three, I’ve lost a bit of motivation for being very detailed. Instead, I’m going to write this one a little differently.

Some highlights of last week:

• I was sick — not sure why — for the third time since I’ve been to NY. People told me this is a dirty place; I’m inclined to agree with them.
• Rebecca Sanders, a graduate assistant of Rob Sabourin, started a task analysis of how we do our testing with a series of phone interviews. It’s really exciting actually, and I can’t wait to see how we stack up to Rob’s other case studies.
• Using one of my managers terms, it seems as though I’m “divining test ideas,” rather than getting them directly from stakeholders (or, divining them more than getting them directly, as I think some divining is requisite to the position…). Although I’ve been told I’ve been doing a fairly good job at it, an increase in communication will only make things easier on everyone.
• I’ve started a formal way of reporting the most important findings of the testing group. See here.
• We’re falling into a good groove, I think. I’ve lost my second tester again due to development concerns, though I feel my other tester is doing an amazing job with there only being one of her. She’s really hit some vague charters with research and attention to detail, and she’s found out some important information about the system. I have no doubt this will continue in light of other vague charters I decide to throw at her.
• There’s been talk that a team of temps may be added onto the testing group that could multiply the size of the group by eight (that means eight people total). I haven’t had the real conversation with stakeholders yet, so my numbers may be off, but my impression is promising.
• I’ve been approved to be a TOPP ambassador to a few conferences and peer workshops, including CAST 2008. Thank you, TOPP.
• Speaking of CAST, I got an email that said papers are coming in. I’m on the paper review committee, and am excited to review my first conference paper, ever.

Even though being sick colored my feelings (and productivity) during the week, in hindsight, I think it was a great week with some great variety.