A lot of people have told me over the years that testing software is boring, not creative, unnecessary, or only for the untrained as an entry-level position. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
The role of QA isn’t for everyone, but to call it boring or not fun… 😱
No one seeks out the role of QA. A lot of us try it out or get assigned to it, and as it turns out, we really enjoy it. It becomes something we are passionate about! I took to QA like a duck to water! It felt natural and easy to me, like all my past education and experiences in life were leading up to this job!
What’s so fun about software testing?
- Finding bugs! Yep, it’s like going on a scavenger hunt. It’s solving a puzzle. You’re solving a mystery. Hello, Sherlock Holmes! 🧐
- Editor mindset. When you look at a blank page, where do you start? Some people are creators — they like the blank canvas; some people are editors — they see what’s created and want to improve it! I tend to be more of an editor: critical thinker; analytical; focus on clarity, accuracy, effectiveness; detail-oriented with a big picture view. How can I make your software better?
- Curiosity! Do you ask questions? Do you like figuring out how something is made? Learning about what’s behind the scenes, under the hood? Why did this break? Where’s that bug hiding? I want to find where you’re lurking! Understanding why and how is a big part of ensuring software is correct.
- Applied Psychology. Psychology? Yep! You need to understand human behavior and what their goals and motivations are in using software. It goes beyond simple functionality! It’s understanding the emotions a user has when using software. It’s having empathy for your users. You need to have an understanding of a problem, solution, and usability from multiple perspectives. Users are diverse, and they all need to be considered. As testers, we have to be the first user and every user!
- Selflessness. Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers!” I like to help! I’ve always been a helper. It’s not about me. It’s about how I can help others create their best work possible!
- It’s Challenging. You’re solving problems that aren’t visible or known. You need to understand how systems work together. A lot of this goes back to engineering, logic, critical thinking, and analysis work. It’s also taking something complex and making it simple. In my opinion, testing software is one of the hardest topics in computer science!
- Always Learning. Technology is always changing, and you need to keep up! New tools, new techniques. QA is a very broad and deep topic.
- Making Plans. Planning, research, analysis, and organization skills come in handy in QA.
- Being a Critic. It’s not about finding fault. No blame. No shame. We want proof that something works as it should, as it’s required to be. It’s being the outside objective observer. Ultimately, we want to find ways to make your software better!
- Neurodiverse. I happen to be ND. This type of brain is naturally good at pattern matching, pattern recognition, and being detail-oriented. ND’s are able to think outside the box; are able to make divergent connections due to non-linear thinking and being multipassionate. We learn things from one topic or industry to apply to our knowledge and skill set. Overall, it gives us a sense of purpose that allows us to advocate for others!
Maybe I’m weird. 🤪 All of these things are fun for me. And when you bring them all together, it’s like getting a big rush of endorphins! You feel a sense of purpose, accomplishment!
Do you find software testing a chore? We’d love to help you achieve your quality goals! Contact us today!