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John Smart
I Help Manual Testers Become World-Class Test Automation Engineers. Agile Test Automation and BDD Expert - International Speaker And Author - Coach, Trainer and Mentor
Professional Background
John Ferguson Smart is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the realm of agile software development, specializing in test automation and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). With over two decades of experience, John has leveraged his extensive background to facilitate the evolution of testing practices within organizations across the globe. He is renowned for his ability to transform manual testers into proficient test automation engineers through his tailored mentoring programs, notably the Serenity Dojo.
John's career is marked by his work as a published author, where he penned the highly-regarded "BDD in Action," which has become a staple for professionals looking to enhance their understanding of BDD practices. His expertise does not end there; he is also credited with creating the Serenity BDD test automation framework, which has gained popularity for its user-friendly approach to automating testing efforts.
Throughout his career, John has provided valued consulting services to various organizations, assisting them in adapting their practices to include test automation and BDD methodologies. His engagements often include hands-on workshops and tailored training programs designed to help teams integrate these practices into their workflows efficiently.
Education and Achievements
John's educational background is distinguished, with a strong foundation in computer science. He pursued a PhD in Computer Science at Aix-Marseille University, deepening his technical expertise and research capabilities in the field. Prior to that, he earned a Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) from the University of Newcastle, where he also studied Ancient History and French, showcasing his diverse interests.
John's educational journey began at Newcastle Grammar School, where his passion for technology and software development started to take shape. His impressive academic credentials, paired with decades of industry experience, have equipped John with the skills needed to lead and mentor other professionals seeking to excel in automation testing.
Notable Contributions and Initiatives
As the founder of the Serenity Dojo Agile Test Automation Mentoring Programme, John has committed himself to helping testers navigate the complexities of test automation. The program epitomizes his dedication to mentorship, ensuring that individuals, whether seasoned professionals or newcomers to automation, can hone their skills in a supportive environment.
One of John's most significant achievements includes designing a bespoke training program to accelerate the capabilities of a group of testers, enabling them to automate business scenarios drastically faster than their peers who did not undergo the training. This success illustrates John's value as a mentor and educator in the field of test automation. His initiative has not only helped individual testers thrive but has also positively impacted the organizations they work for.
Beyond his mentoring endeavors, John has worked as a BDD and Agile Test Automation Trainer and Coach, collaborating closely with teams to embed BDD principles in their work. His approach encompasses not just theoretical knowledge but practical applications, giving teams the tools they need to apply BDD effectively in their projects.
Consultative Engagements
John's comprehensive skill set has allowed him to serve as a consultant in various capacities, guiding organizations in their quest for improved testing strategies. His previous roles include Project Manager at AAcom Algerie and Project Director at AAcom, where he oversaw project outcomes and timelines, ensuring that clients received high-quality products that met their requirements.
In addition to these managerial roles, John provided consulting expertise at Equinox and Soleri, enabling companies to adopt innovative testing methodologies while optimizing their software delivery processes. Through these consultative engagements, John has made substantial contributions to the evolution of test automation practices around the world.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Test Automation: John is passionate about automating testing practices to enhance software quality and team efficiency. His methods often yield significant improvements in speed and accuracy for teams involved in software delivery.
- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): With a focus on BDD, John educates teams on how to foster collaboration between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project requirements from the outset.
- Mentorship and Coaching: John’s dedication to mentoring stems from a desire to empower other testers. By fostering relationships through the Serenity Dojo, he provides guidance tailored to the individual needs of team members.
- Agile Practices: With a solid understanding of agile methodologies, John helps teams transition smoothly to more modern practices, including in-sprint automation and executable specifications, which can redefine how they approach development and testing.
Achievements
- Founder of the Serenity Dojo: A unique mentoring program designed to cultivate skilled test automation engineers across varying backgrounds.
- Published Author: Author of "BDD in Action," a best-selling book that provides insights into BDD and practical methodologies.
- Creator of Serenity BDD Framework: Developed the successful Serenity BDD test automation framework, widely adopted for its simplicity and effectiveness.
By continuously expanding his knowledge and adapting to advancements in technology and methodologies, John Ferguson Smart remains at the forefront of agile software development and is a vital resource for organizations seeking to enhance their testing capabilities.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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