Ready, Test, Go. — The Podcast on Software Quality and Digital Experiences

Inclusive design and accessibility research are reshaping how teams define software quality — and the benefits are both strategic and altruistic. Accessibility research expert Jamila Evilsizor joins us on this episode of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast to explore why real user voices matter more than guidelines when building reliable digital experiences. Jamila shares how first-hand accessibility research changes executive mindsets, why “just make it work” is often the real goal for users with disabilities, and how teams can move beyond WCAG compliance toward truly usable products. Some highlights from this digital accessibility-centric episode include: - Why accessibility guidelines are the baseline — not the finish line - How user research influences product, engineering and culture - What practical methods can help embed accessibility into everyday delivery - Why autonomy, dignity and privacy must be in focus Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles Find more digital quality content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com

Agile testing pioneer Lisa Crispin joins the Ready, Test, Go. podcast brought to you by Applause to unpack holistic testing, whole-team quality and how to build reliable digital experiences at scale. Lisa is an independent consultant, co-founder of the Agile Testing Fellowship with Janet Gregory, and co-author of Holistic Testing: Weave Quality Into Your Product. Some software quality insights from the episode: You can see what Lisa’s up to, schedule some coaching or consulting time or read her thought leadership content at LisaCrispin.com. And you can find links to her books at Agiletester.ca. Subscribe for more conversations on software quality, AI and modern digital experiences. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles Find more thought leadership content at: https://www.youtube.com/@ApplauseDotCom/videos To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Sandy Pentland, Senior Research Fellow at Stanford HAI, discusses how innovators are grappling with the societal impact of technology, the challenges of creating reliable products in a world driven by narratives and the concept of abductive reasoning in validating AI applications. Pentland also introduces the Four Horsemen of Social Failure and practices to mitigate AI risks. About the guest: Alex Pentland is a Stanford HAI Fellow and MIT Toshiba Professor. Named one of the “100 people to watch this century” by Newsweek and “one of the seven most powerful data scientists in the world” by Forbes, he is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, an advisor to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Lab, and an advisor to the UN Secretary General’s office. His work has helped manage privacy and security for the world’s digital networks by establishing authentication standards, protect personal privacy by contributing to the pioneering EU privacy law, and provide healthcare support for hundreds of millions of people worldwide through both for-profit and not-for-profit companies. His latest book, Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI, can be found here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262050999/shared-wisdom/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Listen as William Reuschel, Inclusive Design Practice Lead at Applause, joins the podcast. He digs into the critical importance of inclusive design, exploring how it transcends compliance to become a significant competitive advantage and catalyst for innovation. He also discusses what differentiates companies that prioritize accessibility from those that view it solely as a legal risk, especially in light of the new EAA regulations, as well as ways to measure accessibility success. About the guest: William Reuschel has over 10 years of experience helping teams develop products that are accessible, inclusive, and a delight to their customers. He is an expert in accessibility and inclusive design and has the technical expertise to guide designers and developers to scalable and repeatable success. He holds a degree in computer science, a Web Accessibility Specialist certificate from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and is a Certified Scrum Master. William spent the formative years of his career with an advocacy organization working closely with assistive technology users to evaluate both the accessibility and usability of critical products and services for people with disabilities. Through this work, he developed an understanding not only of the impact of technology on an individual’s life, but also the power of technology to build a more inclusive future for everyone. William is passionate about sharing his experience and building empathy with product teams to realize his vision of a fully inclusive future. Learn more about Applause’s Accessibility Testing Solution here: https://www.applause.com/accessibility-testing/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Many product teams focus on the largest group of users, but what if the key to your product's growth lies in the hands of the “lizard users,” the small segment of users who go against the grain and interact with your system in unexpected ways? It's a truth that many successful products stumble upon success by what feels like serendipity — but it doesn't have to be random. In this episode, software delivery expert Gojko Adzic explains how to systematically observe how people are misusing or abusing a product to figure out underserved use cases and unexpected value. He shares the four steps of "Lizard Optimization" and how this technique led to a 100x growth for his own product, Narakeet, a text-to-speech video maker. About the guest: Gojko Adzic is a partner at Neuri Consulting LLP. He is an internationally recognized software delivery consultant and author of several books, including "Lizard Optimization: Unlock Product Growth by Engaging Long-Tail Users." Gojko is known for advancing Agile and testing practices in some of the world's largest companies. You can find Gojko’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Optimization-Product-Engaging-Long-Tail/dp/0993088171 Gojko also referenced the following material in this episode: - The PayPal origin story is from Founders at Work: https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early-ebook/dp/B009IXMK4O - Success/failure rates are from Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments: https://www.amazon.com/Trustworthy-Online-Controlled-Experiments-Practical/dp/1108724264 - The reference for Amazon execs spending time in customer servicing is from Working Backwards: https://www.amazon.com/Working-Backwards-PB/dp/1529033845 - Connecting the loop at Eventbrite/Rachael Neumann video: https://vimeo.com/337949688 - HBR/Amy Gallo reference on retention metrics: https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The rapid advancement of AI is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate and experiment, promising unprecedented productivity gains and new avenues for growth. However, for many organizations, the path to widespread, aggressive enterprise AI adoption remains fraught with challenges, from navigating technical complexities to establishing robust governance and data quality strategies. Businesses are grappling with how to integrate AI effectively while mitigating risks and ensuring a high level of digital quality. In this episode, Andy Sack, co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3 — and co-author of AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand — dives into what it means to build an AI first organization. He shares insights from his conversations with AI luminaries like Sam Altman and Bill Gates, discusses strategies for achieving early AI wins and offers guidance on balancing innovation, performance and quality in the age of AI. About the guest: Andy Sack is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and AI transformation enthusiast with more than 25 years of experience across technology, finance and venture capital. As co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3, he helps brands navigate and leverage emerging AI technologies. Andy is also the co-author of the recently released book, AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand, which offers a guide to building AI-centric businesses. You can find Andy’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/AI-First-Playbook-Future-Proof-Business/dp/1647829658/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Organizations across all sectors are increasingly exploring with and implementing artificial intelligence, with significant opportunities and complex challenges abound. How should organizations deal with the concerning ethical considerations and the potential for unintended consequences? How can they minimize risk and help ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly? In this episode, we speak with Nathan Chappell, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI and founder of Fundraising AI. A leading voice in the application of artificial intelligence for social good, Nathan shares his expert perspective on how nonprofit organizations are navigating the AI landscape with a strong emphasis on ethical practices. He discusses the distinctions between AI usage in for-profit and nonprofit contexts, the vital need for widespread AI literacy and concrete steps organizations can take to cultivate trustworthy and beneficial AI solutions. About the guest: Nathan is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, where he leads enterprise AI strategies for some of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. Nathan is the founder of Fundraising.AI, a 6,000-plus member collaborative dedicated to advancing responsible and ethical AI use in fundraising. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar campaigns and now focuses on helping mission-driven organizations scale impact through responsible technology. Nathan is also a prolific author and public speaker. He co-authored The Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, and was the first to deliver a TEDx talk on AI and the future of generosity. You can find Nathan’s latest book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139431664X/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Brands are increasingly recognizing the potential of AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences that captivate and engage consumers. However, navigating the complexities of these technologies and their implementation presents significant challenges, including device fragmentation, environmental considerations and high consumer expectations. Fostering high quality across these diverse platforms is crucial for brands seeking to deliver seamless and impactful experiences. In this episode, Tom Emrich, a leading expert in AR, VR and wearable technology, discusses the future of spatial computing, including how brands can leverage AR to enhance customer journeys. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from his book, "The Next Dimension," Tom explores the importance of user-centric design, the role of AI in AR development and the ethical considerations surrounding accessibility and localization. About the guest: Tom Emrich is the author of The Next Dimension, a definitive guide to leveraging augmented reality (AR) for business growth in the era of spatial computing. With over 15 years of experience as a journalist, investor and product leader, Tom is widely recognized as a pioneer in the fields of AR, virtual reality and wearable technology. His book, featured in Forbes, offers a practical roadmap for businesses looking to harness AR’s transformative potential. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

As organizations face increasing pressure to release quickly, launches often comes at the expense of thorough testing. Blind spots in the development process can result in costly errors and a diminished user experience, yet teams often fail to achieve alignment around software testing priorities. Michael Bolton, a renowned expert in software testing, discusses the evolution of digital quality. He introduces the "Four Frames of Testing" to move beyond requirements checklists and uncover real business risks. We also discuss AI's impact on QA, the changing tester role, and questioning "best practices." Michael also shares insights from his upcoming book as well as his blog, in which he advocates for an investigative approach to software testing. About the guest: Michael Bolton is the Lead Consultant at DevelopSense and a recognized expert in software testing with over 30 years of experience. As co-creator of Rapid Software Testing (RST), a methodology focused on skilled and efficient testing under time pressure, Michael has helped countless organizations and individuals optimize their testing processes. He has delivered RST training in over 35 countries and has worked with a wide range of industries, including banking, retail, telecommunications, and startups. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Editing by Ian Lippincott Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

AI's rapid advancement across industries is undeniable, but what about its potential to understand and influence human behavior? Where is the ethical line as businesses fight tooth and nail to gain a competitive edge. Sandra Matz, a computational social scientist and professor, joins the podcast to dig into the nuances of AI's persuasive capabilities and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. Matz discusses the intersection of AI and human psychology, and how AI leverages our digital footprints to predict our personalities, motivations and desires. You can find Sandra's book here: https://store.hbr.org/product/mindmasters-the-data-driven-science-of-predicting-and-changing-human-behavior/10692 About the guest: Sandra Matz is an associate professor at Columbia Business School, specializing in computational social science. Her research explores how psychological characteristics influence real-life outcomes, often using large datasets and AI-driven tools. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The digital divide between the Global North and the Global South is a growing concern for technology companies and enthusiasts. This divide is particularly evident in how technology is viewed and used, as well as the role it plays in our culture. In this episode, Payal Arora, professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University, discusses the importance of optimism in the Global South and how it can inspire the development of inclusive tech. She argues that we can learn a lot from the Global South, where citizens use technology to address pressing challenges such as economic inequality and social injustice. About the guest: Payal Arora is a professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University and the co-founder of FemLab and the inclusive AI Lab. She is also a prolific author with more than 100 journal articles and award-winning books to her name, including her latest, From Pessimism To Promise: Lessons From the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech. Arora's work has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian. You can find Payal’s latest book here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049306/from-pessimism-to-promise/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Generative AI is rapidly changing the way we design and develop applications. But, to create truly effective and engaging enterprise Gen AI-infused solutions, we need to prioritize usability and functional quality. In this episode, Richard H. Miller, a technology advisor, coach and author of the book, UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions, provides some practical guidance for enterprises. Reflecting on findings from his book, Richard shares some tenets for creating engaging, generative AI-based experiences, emphasizing the importance of usability and functional quality along the way. You can find Richard’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-ChatGPT-Solutions-practical-enterprise-grade/dp/1835461190 About the guest: Richard H. Miller is a technology advisor and coach guiding startups in emerging technologies across CRM, social networking, and other sectors. He spent 17 years at Oracle, most recently as Senior Director Level Architect specializing in conversational AI and UX design strategy. He also wrote the book UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The rise of generative AI and large language models created a frenzy of excitement and apprehension. Organizations are eager to harness the potential of AI but face challenges in navigating the hype and establishing realistic expectations for implementation. Many struggle to identify practical use cases and measure the true impact of AI on their business. In this episode, Ben Van Roo provides a grounded perspective on the realities of AI in the enterprise. He discusses the gap between expectation and reality, emphasizing the importance of aligning AI strategies with actual business needs and workflows. Ben also explores the evolving role of human oversight in AI-driven systems and the differences in public and sector perspectives of the technology. About the guest: Ben Van Roo is the CEO and co-founder of Yurts, a company that provides a generative AI integration platform for enterprises, aiming to help people do their best work by improving knowledge management and workflows. Ben’s career bridges AI, national security and policy, including roles as the EVP of national security at Primer AI, VP of data science at Chegg and researcher at RAND collaborating with the Department of Defense. His work spans both the public and private sectors, demonstrating his expertise in building technology solutions that serve critical industries. Ben also contributes to advisory councils, serves on boards and writes about AI on his Substack and for Bloomberg LP. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

A few brief moments can make or break your customer experience. Friction, failures and blind spots in the customer journey can undermine even the best digital products. When harnessed and implemented correctly, a data-driven, customer-centric approach can uncover issues that lead to churn. In this episode, Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, digs into the nuances and gravity of friction in the customer journey. Discussing themes from his latest book, Todd explains how friction inhibits growth, the importance of addressing technical debt and how to strategically fit the CX operation into the business. About the guest: Todd Unger is a customer experience and marketing leader with a decade of experience focusing on customer-centric digital and business transformation. As Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, he integrates product, marketing, commerce and service to enhance member engagement and advance the organization's mission. He is also the author of the book The 10-Second Customer Journey: The CXO’s playbook for growing and retaining customers in a digital world. You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/10-Second-Customer-Journey-retaining-customers/dp/1788605039 Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Digital transformation in healthcare promises improved patient outcomes and streamlined services. But the pace of innovation currently lags behind its potential, slowed by regulatory challenges, a complex healthcare ecosystem and safety concerns. Yet the need for high-quality, consumer-centric digital health solutions is more critical than ever. In this episode, Dr. Liz Kwo explains why a digital revolution might just save the American healthcare system. She offers a compelling perspective on the digital transformation of healthcare and its impact on the five Ps: pioneers, providers, patients, payers and policymakers. She also emphasizes the importance of consumer-driven innovation, proactive patient engagement and equitable access to services and devices. About the guest: Dr. Liz Kwo, MD, MBA, MPH, is a healthcare executive, board director, practicing physician, lecturer and innovator, specializing in scaling international digital health companies. Dr. Kwo is the Chief Commercial Officer at Everly Health and a member of the Mass General Brigham Innovation Growth Board. She is also the author of the book Digital MD: Revolutionizing the Future of Healthcare and host of the DigitalMD Podcast. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Media companies have thrust themselves headlong into the subscription management business as a means of achieving and maintaining profitability. But that approach hasn’t been without its challenges, as everything from the adoption model to revenue streams and subscriber expectations have changed dramatically over the last 10 years. Stewart Frey, a media technology and solutions leader, joins us to discuss the rapidly evolving media market. In this fundamental shift in business, hear how media brands can take a proactive, multi-faceted approach to win over customers, now and in the future. About the guest: Stewart Frey recently served as the VP of Streaming Technology Solutions and Enterprise Master Data Management at WWE. He was instrumental in establishing and leading Centers of Excellence in business intelligence and digital analytics as well as a master data practice. He also led product, engineering, DevOps and streaming operations teams, focusing on innovation and transformation in content distribution. Prior to WWE, Frey spent 17 years at Paramount (formally Viacom), where he served as Vice President of Media & Technology Services and spearheaded strategic transformation initiatives. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Businesses face a critical task in maintaining ethical data practices in the midst of our AI revolution. How can we avoid putting the biases and harms of yesterday into overdrive with bad data that fuels prejudiced AI decisions? Jason Mills of Snowflake joins the podcast to talk about the challenges of reducing bias, ensuring data diversity and the essential role of audits and transparency in creating responsible AI systems. He also touches on how leveraging the power of real-world crowdsourced data and advanced analytics platforms can ultimately produce higher-quality models and products that resonate in the marketplace. About the guest: Jason Mills is a business leader with 30 years of experience delivering innovative technology solutions within Fortune 100 companies and early stage startups. He is currently the VP Solutions Engineering at Snowflake and a member of the Applause board of directors. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The future of AI is being written every day. Data scientists and engineers must weigh the potential advantages of AI adoption against its considerable risks when applied insufficiently or recklessly. In this episode from Open Data Science Conference East 2024 in Boston, Josh Poduska of Applause reflects on key insights gleaned from the show, including the emergence of AI as a dominant force in data science and the challenges of adoption and governance. Explore trends, risks and the transformative potential of AI in shaping industries and societies worldwide. About the guest: Josh Poduska, a client partner and AI strategist at Applause, focuses on ensuring the safe and effective implementation of AI technologies through rigorous testing and data creation. With a background spanning leadership roles at companies like Domino Data Lab, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and IBM, Josh offers a wealth of expertise in data science, AI, machine learning and statistics. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The rapid pace of AI evolution and the rush to use it as a business differentiator challenges ethics-minded engineers to act quickly and decisively to enforce substantive change. In this podcast episode from ODSC East in Boston, Rishu Gandhi of Wells Fargo discusses some of the challenges in building AI-infused digital products, including integrating Responsible AI into business and development practices. About the guest: Rishu Gandhi is a Senior Data Engineer in Machine Learning & AI - Cybersecurity at Wells Fargo. She believes that data and AI will be the architects of our digital future, transforming industries and reshaping our world. Transitioning from chemical engineering to coding, her journey has been a fusion of curiosity and persistence. Gandhi previously worked as an engineer at DuPont and Agilent Technologies, learning and addressing the challenges in the chemical domain. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Humans use digital products. While AI and automation have made great strides in the last few years in accelerating tasks that people would otherwise manage, the human perspective is just as important as ever in building and validating digital products. In a job market that seems to increasingly devalue that human perspective, some QA professionals argue it’s time to reprioritize the power of people in software. Mark Kalet, a quality assurance leader, joins the podcast to discuss how people move the needle to ultimately help realize business goals in a way that systems cannot. While humans introduce unique variables in software development and the business world, they still play a vital role in delivering high-quality digital experiences. About the guest: With extensive experience implementing QA processes and building teams, Mark Kalet offers a unique perspective of digital quality strategy, including driving growth with new technologies, improving performance and increasing profitability. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.