typhonic

What resources do you recommend for me to learn Test Based Programming? I have a little exposure to the concept, but I generally do not think of programming in that way. While I have added some tests to some of my programs, I have met people who start with testing, and I'd like help developing that mindset.

I am working on a project where the functional specification was not well defined. I'm supposed to be expert enough to make many correct choices myself, but for many things, I still have to ask for clarification. The answers to my questions usually take a few days to return, but sometimes they take weeks. By the time I get the answers, I am not even working on the same task. The information I need comes in so sporadically that I am getting bogged down.

Some of you are probably naturally good at wrapping your minds around this workflow. I'm wondering if there is any specific project management terminology for this situation and are there organizational methods that are published that can help me out.

I work for an engineering company that has been in business 30 years. I have been here eight. Occasionally we let someone go who is not performing up to par, and that is probably going to happen again in the first quarter of next year. I hear comments like "His work always needs to be checked," but I believe we should have much more checking of everyone's work. I know we pay recruiting fees on the order of $10K per new hire, but we don't invest like that for training or for remediation of under-performance. I would like to come forward with ideas and knowledge that can help these co-workers become better at their jobs so that they can be retained. I am in a position to make some sacrifices and I am willing to do that if I believe it will help make my place of employment a better place. Do you have suggestions or experience with this situation?