Rocket Webinars 2024

What if we simply didn’t make bugs?

You only make a first impression once – and user experience can be the last thing you remember if the software doesn’t work.

According to Klaus Lakkala from Testimate, the situation today is fortunately such that the critical role of software testing as part of quality development is very well understood: “The end customer will, after all, test it –  and if bugs are found at that stage, it can lead to reputational damage and other problems.”

And will AI come and take testers’ jobs? 🫨

Klaus’s view is clear: “AI does not yet test on our behalf, but it can help with some individual issues – a bit like giving a mate a ring.”

“Testing is most effective when the tester is involved right from the start of development. Open collaboration is the thing between tester and developer.” – Klaus Lakkala, Testimate

The tester is a friend, not an opponent, Juha and Klasu said in Rakettiwebinaari.

If, for example, test automation interests you (and why wouldn’t it), you can watch the recording here: Rakettiwebinaari | Software testing and its future

—————————

Cyber security is an enabler of your company’s growth – not a brake

Cyber security is a critical part of quality software development. LAV Security’s cyber security consultant Lea Viljanen reminds us that even small steps take you towards better cyber security

Lea Viljanen shared three condensed tips in Rakettiwebinaari that are worth starting with if the software company hasn’t done much for cyber security:

1️⃣ Spend a couple of hours at the start of the software project on threat modelling – you can repeat the first round later.

2️⃣ Add a cyber security tool to the development pipeline.

3️⃣ Make use of security reviews too: an external party brings a fresh perspective on possible vulnerabilities.

“And if the vulnerability report says that you have a security issue, it is good to think in advance about how to act so that when reading the report you do not have to just shrug,” Lea reminds us. Get the processes in order!

"It’s a good day when a security review finds nothing – it means the process works." – Lea Viljanen, LAV Security

Juha’s eyes also lit up when Lea told in the webinar how security doesn’t need to be some bogeyman, but can be taken as part of software development in small steps.

If cyber security in software development interests you (and why wouldn’t it), you can watch the recording here: Rakettiwebinaari | cyber security in software development

—————————

Consultant is not a swear word – but a power word

Raketti’s CEO Juha Huttunen and Noice’s Head of Production Eero Pöyry talked about combining consultants and in-house people in tech teams.

When is a consultant appropriate? In short: 💰 The budget is in order. ❗We know what we want.

An experienced consultant often brings new ideas and technologies that may not yet have been tried in the company. This often brings new energy.

“Nothing has to be broken in order to try a consultant.” – Eero Pöyry, Noice

According to Eero (on the right), a consultant often brightens the team’s technical and emotional atmosphere, even if there doesn’t necessarily need to be anything wrong to begin with.

If using consultants as part of software development interests you (and why wouldn’t it), you can watch the recording here: Rakettiwebinaari | Consultant is not a swear word – combining consultants and in-house people in the team

—————————

Why does a developer need to understand business?

A developer’s ability and willingness to understand the business, its goals and end users is critical for a successful outcome. Jussi Hacklin from Elisa reminded in Rakettiwebinaari that this road is two-way too: the business must also understand tech teams.

Understanding the big picture ultimately turns into a business benefit when the developer has been able to present different solutions – for example, the final implementation is simpler, more scalable or new features were added to the product.

Jussi shares a practical tip here: two-way coaching. A business person and a developer tell each other what interests them on the other side of the fence – even with an hour-long session, mutual understanding grows.

People must be able to trust each other’s opinions, whether they are developers, business people, designers or even the cyber security team.

"This is a long-term cultural thing that needs to be built. And when it works, it becomes a self-feeding machine", Jussi says.

“Business understanding opens up the tech maker’s thinking. If the developer cannot see the bigger picture, the technology solution can also be more straightforward.” – Jussi Hacklin, Elisa

In product development, imperfect decisions may be made because all angles are not sufficiently understood. So how can understanding be developed? According to Jussi, Elisa encourages people to talk to each other: "Communication plays an important role. No one can deliver the desired outcome alone."

If using consultants as part of software development interests you (and why wouldn’t it), you can watch the recording here: Rakettiwebinaari | Why does a developer need to understand business?

—————————

How are lines of code turned into cold hard cash?

The less understanding developers have of the business, the more definition, management and guidance is required from the client. And the better the team understands the business, the easier management is.

Petteri Niemi, according to the CEO of 020202 Services and 02 Taxi, genuine business value is created through the development team’s understanding of the business. “When things are done cost-effectively, quickly and with quality, it really shows in many ways”, Petteri says.

“Although almost the whole team at 02 Taxi are external people, mentally they are like our own internal team, and in the organisation they are treated equally with the others. This is a prerequisite for things to work well. The consultants get all the information they need about how the business is doing and what is relevant – they see and hear how the business runs and what matters,” Petteri adds.

“A certain ease in management is one of the core things.” – Petteri Niemi, 020202 Services

Technical competence is the core thing, but if there are challenges with communication or the matter does not interest you, competence will not help much. “Then you cannot achieve the same results,” Petteri (left) sums up.

If the business value of an experienced developer interests you (and why wouldn’t it), you can watch the recording here: Rakettiwebinaari | From code to cash flow