Dwayne Green

Dwayne is a candidate in the board elections for 2019.

Q1: Why are you an AST Member?

I first joined AST in 2014 when I attended CAST in New York City. I attended because I wanted to learn more about context-driven testing and to learn more about our craft and figure out ways to get better at testing. After that conference, I wanted to go to CAST every year because I’ve enjoyed it more than other conferences I had attended previously. I have renewed my membership every year because I feel like this is a community that is built by the community and for the community.  

Q2: How do you intend to promote diversity within the AST? How could AST promote diversity, of all kinds, within our own organization and within the wider testing and technology communities?

I believe that the AST has done well on promoting diversity in speakers at the AST conferences as well as making sure that there is inclusion at other events. I would like to continue to make sure that diversity is an important part of the community and make sure that I promote an inclusive mindset where all ideas and people are welcome.

Q3: What do you think the AST board has historically done well, and what do you think needs to change?

I have enjoyed all of the CAST conferences I have attended and I believe the board has done well at making sure these events are the best they can be. I know that the board is made up of people who have been working and presenting in this industry and cover a wide range of experience. I’ve seen improvements in how the organization is run like getting more webinars scheduled and making that content free. I’ve also seen improvements in the website to make the AST content better and get more awareness of the programs and training offered.

I think that there could be some improvements to the transparency of the things that the board is focused on at the moment. It would be nice as a member of the AST if it was easy for me to get information on what the board is trying to accomplish and progress being made on those goals as well as ways to help.   

Q4: If you are elected to serve on the board, what is your vision for the future of AST and what do you hope to accomplish as part of the board?

I think we need to continue to grow the community and provide awareness of the training AST provides as well as expand our training programs. In May 2019, I facilitated a WHOSE event in Salt Lake City. I’d like to continue to work on WHOSE by getting more people involved and more feedback as well as build exercises that develop these skills. I would like to help organize more of these WHOSE events throughout the community and have a centralized place that AST members can contribute and build a knowledge base of skills and exercises.

Q5: Many people come to be AST Board of Directors candidates through a long history of community involvement. This community involvement usually involves teaching, creating and running peer conferences, creating and running regular conferences, and working with commercial entities.

Q5A: These are all wonderful and valuable activities, but they might create conflicts for board members. One problem is that a board member spending time helping a personal conference to thrive means less or no time spent on AST events. The other problem, and the more important one, is that knowing program and financial information of a personal event will affect decisions made for AST events and initiatives and vice versa.

Q5B: Please describe any current initiatives you participate in that might affect your ability to serve on the AST board, and serve the AST membership

I currently work for 1-800 Contacts and I don’t have any other initiatives outside of my current work or AST.

Q6: What is your vision for the future of AST’s training program?

AST currently has the BBST program that has been doing well. I’d like to make sure it continues to do well and add more content or create better exercises if applicable. I’d like to use the WHOSE peer conferences as a way to build onto that training by understanding how the community learns how to do certain skills well. I think we can work on creating exercises that cater to more deliberate practices and these practices would add to the value the BBST training provides.

Q7: (Optional) Would you like to provide a short (250-400 word) introduction to go on your candidate page?

Dwayne Green is a Team Lead of Testing at 1-800 Contacts located in Draper, UT. He has 10 years of industry experience and has a passion for developing skills in testing. He recently facilitated the WHOSE peer conference for the AST, is attending CAST 2019 and has been a speaker at past conferences including CAST 2018.