Behaviour-driven development (BDD) freelancers
Behaviour-driven development (BDD) is a collaborative approach to software development that bridges the gap between business stakeholders and technical teams. It emphasises shared understanding and clear communication of desired software behaviour through the use of concrete examples expressed in a natural language that everyone can understand. This ensures that the software being built meets the actual needs of the business.
What to look for in BDD freelancers
When hiring a BDD freelancer, look for individuals with a strong understanding of agile methodologies and experience in translating business requirements into testable scenarios. They should be proficient in using BDD tools like Cucumber, SpecFlow, or Behat, and possess excellent communication and collaboration skills. A good BDD freelancer should be able to facilitate workshops, guide discussions, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Key skills and expertise:
- Proficiency in BDD tools (Cucumber, SpecFlow, Behat)
- Experience with agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Understanding of user story creation and acceptance criteria definition
- Knowledge of test automation frameworks
- Experience in different BDD styles (outside-in, inside-out)
Main expertise areas to inquire about
Explore the freelancer's experience in specific areas like:
- Defining feature files and scenarios using Gherkin syntax
- Implementing step definitions and automated tests
- Integrating BDD frameworks with existing testing infrastructure
- Facilitating BDD workshops and collaborative sessions
- Working with different programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript) relevant to your project
Relevant interview questions
Consider asking these questions during the interview process:
- Describe your experience with BDD and how you've applied it in previous projects.
- How do you ensure collaboration between business stakeholders and technical teams in a BDD environment?
- Explain your approach to writing effective feature files and scenarios.
- What are some common challenges you've faced with BDD, and how did you overcome them?
- Walk me through your process of integrating BDD with test automation.
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest BDD practices and tools?
Tips for shortlisting candidates
When shortlisting, prioritise candidates who demonstrate:
- A clear understanding of BDD principles and practices
- Practical experience with BDD tools and frameworks
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving
- A portfolio showcasing successful BDD implementations
Potential red flags
Be mindful of these potential red flags:
- Lack of understanding of the core principles of BDD
- Inability to articulate the benefits of BDD
- Limited experience with BDD tools and frameworks
- Poor communication skills
- Over-reliance on technical jargon without explaining concepts clearly
Typical complementary skills
BDD often goes hand-in-hand with these skills:
- Test automation
- Agile software development
- Software testing (unit, integration, system)
- Continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD)
Benefits of hiring a BDD freelancer
Hiring a skilled BDD freelancer can bring numerous benefits to your project, including:
- Improved communication and collaboration between business and technical teams
- Reduced rework and development costs due to clearer requirements
- Higher quality software that meets business needs
- Increased stakeholder satisfaction
- Faster time to market
Real-world examples
Consider these examples:
- An e-commerce platform uses BDD to ensure the checkout process functions correctly across different devices and payment methods, leading to a smoother user experience and increased sales.
- A financial institution employs BDD to define and test complex regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks.
- A mobile app development team uses BDD to build features iteratively, gathering feedback from stakeholders at each stage and delivering a product that meets user expectations.
