Why Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation is Necessary in Tech and Quality Assurance by Jenna Davis

1. Why Diversity,
Inclusion, and
Representation are
Necessary
in Tech and
Quality Assurance

2. Why?

3. Agenda
History of diversity in tech
Where we are now
Why should we care?
Technology failures
👪 What can we do to make a change?

4. HELLO!
I am Jenna Davis
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I am here because I love quality
assurance and diversity & inclusion
You can find me on:
: Jenna Davis, CTFL
: @jennaLjeffery
: jenna.davis@encova.com
4

5. MY BACKGROUND
 Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
 Master of Science in Recreation Studies
 Associate Degree in Computer Science
 Currently: Automation Engineer & Chair of Mosaic
5

6. “I have no special
talents. I am only
passionately curious.
- Albert Einstein
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7. 7

8. Ada Lovelace
▪ First computer programmer in 1833
▪ Studied Mathematics
▪ Worked on the Analytical Engine
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9. 1940’s
U.S. Army Photos
 Women were writing software
 Hardware was seen as a man’s job
 ENIAC – first all electronic programmable computer - was
programed by 6 women

10. 10
Grace Hopper
▪ Pioneer in developing computer technology
▪ Coined the term ‘bug’
▪ Created the compiler
Betty Snyder
▪ One of the ENIAC 6
▪ Created the “break point”
Author: James S. Davis Author: Unknown

11. ▪ 1957 - IBM
▪ 1967 – Cosmopolitan
11 The Computer Girls, Cosmopolitan, April 1967. Image via Nathan Ensmenger
Author: IBM
1950’s and 1960’s
• The number of jobs exploded due to the need for
software in organizations
• Workers that were logical and good at math
• Gender stereotypes worked in women’s favor

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13. 13
Advertising in the 1980’s
ATARI Apple

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15. 15
80%
77%
85%
77%
83%
77%
83%
80%
20%
23%
15%
23%
17%
23%
17%
20%
APPLE 2014
APPLE 2019
FACEBOOK 2014
FACEBOOK 2019
GOOGLE 2014
GOOGLE 2019
MICROSOFT 2014
MICROSOFT 2019
PERCENTAGE OF MEN AND WOMEN IN TECH JOBS IN 2014 AND IN 2019
Men Women
Data: the companies

16. 16
Why should we care?

17. Why should we care?
▪ We need to assure quality for all users
▪ We must have a team that reflects our end users
▪ If your team is too alike, you can miss things
17

18. Let’s look at some numbers…
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19. Success of Diversity of Thought
19
Jeffrey Lurie
• Owner of the
Philadelphia Eagles
Wsj.com

20. Diversity is great but Inclusion is necessary
▪ All people need to feel included and that they
belong
▪ Allows different perspectives to be heard
▪ Aides in retention and enhances culture
20

21. Failures in Technology
21
Mackensie Murray

22. Failed Soap Dispenser
YouTube
22

23. AI Voice Recognition Bias
▪ According to Dr. Tatman, Google has the best accuracy:
▫ White Men: 92%
▫ White Women: 79%
▫ Mixed Race Women: 69%
▪ Impacts:
▫ Dangerous for those that need it
▫ Customer purchasing decisions
23

24. Google Search Bias
Whiteness over-represented
24

25. Google Search Bias
2015 Google Photo Categorization Fail
25
@jackyalcine
Google’s Remedy: turned off
the ability for groups of
photos to be labeled with the
word “Gorilla”

26. 2014 Apple HealthKit App
“with Health, you can monitor all your metrics you’re most
interested in” – Craig Federighi, Apple Software Executive
Did not have a menstrual cycle tracker in app
26

27. Apple Credit Card - 2019
▪ David Heinemeier Hansson received a 20x higher credit
limit than his wife
▫ Both file joint tax returns, live in a community-property
state (all assets acquired during a marriage are shared)
▫ She has a higher credit score!
▪ Steve Wozniak has a limit 10x greater than his wife
▫ All assets and accounts are shared
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28. 28
A father and son were in a car accident, the
father was taken by EMS to the University
Hospital and the son was taken to the
nearby Children’s Hospital. When the son
arrived at the hospital, the ER doctor said,
“I can’t treat him, that’s my son.”
Who is the doctor?

29. Implicit Bias
▪ Our unconscious tendencies to favor one thing over another
▪ Not intentional but doesn’t mean there isn’t an impact
▪ We need to mindful of everyone’s past experiences
▪ We need to learn from our own personal experiences and
mistakes
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30. Why does Representation Matter?
Diversity + Inclusion + Representation
▪ People work at their best when they can be their full authentic
selves
▪ People need to see people that look like them, people need to
see themselves in others
▪ Representation aids in retention, recruitment, and culture
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What can we do to make a change?

32. Representation Matters
▪ Be Present
▪ Get out there – be visible
▪ Speak at conferences
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33. Make a Conscious Effort to Think About Diversity
▪ Find something that makes you uncomfortable
and then gain knowledge and understanding to
make yourself comfortable.
▪ Once you are comfortable find something else
that makes you uncomfortable.
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34. Leverage Your Own Diversity and Uniqueness
▪ Everyone!
▪ Share your cultures, traditions, and story
▪ Be yourself – it will invite conversations and be educational
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35. Support and Seek Diversity
▪ Join or create an Associate Resource Group
▪ Find an advocate
▪ Be an advocate
▪ Be an ally
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36. Volunteer and Encourage Diversity in Tech
▪ Financially or with your time
▪ Show what Quality Assurance is all about
▪ Volunteer with students, Black Girls Code, Girls Who Code, etc.
▪ Talk about your job and passions
▪ You may impact someone and make them say, “Hey, that can be
me!”
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37.  Be the manager you always needed
 Be the ally you always longed for
 Be the mentor you needed when you first started
 Be the diversity champion you know is necessary
 Hold doors open for those behind you – figuratively and literally
Always remember your why
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We want your feedback!
: Jenna Davis, CTFL
: @jennaLjeffery
: jenna.davis@encova.com
Any questions?
THANKS!
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