Conference of the Association for Software Testing

Welcome to CAST 2009 - an informational conference for software testers around the world! Over the past 40 years, software design and construction techniques have evolved spectacularly. Each year, we build larger and more complex programs than we could the year before.

Unfortunately, many of our test techniques and management maxims come from decades past -- a time when software was simpler and computer time cost more than people. We must foster significant advances in both theory and practice of testing to catch up with the progress in technology and programming. CAST brings together testers from around the globe in hopes of advancing the understanding and practice of software testing.

Why you should attend CAST 2009?

This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Jonathan Koomey, Project Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Consulting Professor at Stanford University, and author of Turning Numbers Into Knowledge: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving.

Dr. Koomey holds M.S. and PhD degrees from the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley, and an A.B. in History of Science from Harvard University. He is the author or coauthor of eight books and more than 150 articles and reports on electricity used by data centers, energy efficiency and renewable power technologies, energy economics, energy policy, environmental externalities, and global climate change.

But that's only the beginning of what we have in store for you this year! Unlike other conferences in our industry, CAST is set apart by the fact that we involve YOU in each and every discussion and tutorial...

What Makes CAST special?

Not your typical software testing conference, CAST sets itself apart from the rest through excellence in the following areas:

CAST puts the CONFER back in conference - At least one third of every session is reserved for facilitated conversation. Conferring with testing practitioners and leaders is part of the program - not just something that happens in the hotel bar after hours (though you're certainly welcome to engage there as well!)

CAST presentations are theme oriented - This year's theme is "Serving Our Stakeholders". Rarely do we test software solely for the joy of finding a bug. We test software because someone wants us to provide them with quality-related information about their software so that they can make better decisions, fix important bugs, and/or assess regulatory compliance. These people we test for are our stakeholders, and CAST 2009 invites you to come learn how to better serve them.

CAST is free from thinly veiled sales pitches - CAST sessions are about experience, practice and ideas - not just products. Any vendor sessions are clearly identified, and allocate a third of the time strictly for your questions.

CAST contains up-to-date content - Most of the presentations and tutorials you're going to find at CAST are first-run material. We've assembled a panel of leading practitioners and idea innovators to regale you with their interactive stories and thought-provoking ideas. We've lined up eight unique, one-day tutorials - each of which are presented by leading experts in their particular areas of expertise

When you attend CAST, you're helping advance the understanding and practice of software testing, not only within your organisation, but around the globe!

CAST 2009 has been designed to bring people together so that they can learn from each other. You'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with idea innovators, trainers, authors and your peers from all over the world!