How Do You Know the Tests Are Right?

This is an objection that has merit, so we need to deeply understand the logic behind it. This is a common objection from people unfamiliar with writing automated tests because they misunderstand how we avoid incorrect tests.

By helping them see the safeguards we put in place, we can help them reframe their thinking.

Understanding the concerns behind writing broken tests

One objection we’ll hear is,

“How do we know the tests are right if the tests themselves don’t have tests?”

This objection was raised the first time we introduced unit tests to a team. It was polarizing. Some of the team understood the value right away. Others were ...