You’re a software developer moving to quality assurance. What’s the most important skill you need to learn?

Be empathetic. Know what client needs and how he interacts with the system. Learn the ways of creating meaningful test cases and tools to support the testing efforts. What's test coverage and what are the essential documents to support the process and product.

Firstly, you should adopt a testing mindset which encompasses the ability to think critically about software functionality, anticipating potential flaws, and designing comprehensive test cases to uncover them. It involves a meticulous attention to detail, constantly questioning the behavior of the software under various conditions, and striving for thoroughness in testing. Moreover, a testing mindset involves embracing a proactive approach, where one not only identifies issues but also collaborates effectively with developers to ensure they are addressed promptly.

The first thing you can do is to imagine different user personas - age, profession, skill, purpose for which software is being used. This will help you to be creative in identifying different test scenarios and conditions. It is needless to say that you have to focus on finding defects and not worry about demonstrating that software works, that perhaps was your perspective as a developer.

Testing skills involves the ability to design comprehensive test cases, execute them efficiently, and meticulously analyze the results. Moreover, adeptness in various testing methodologies such as black-box testing, white-box testing, and regression testing is essential. Understand how to identify and prioritize bugs, as well as communicating these issues effectively to the development team. Additionally, developing an eye for detail and being able to think critically to anticipate potential issues before they arise are indispensable aspects of testing skills.

It may be useful to study for a testing certification such as ISTQB Foundation and Advanced or CSTE or some other equivalent one. Test Design Techniques that you learn will equip you to work in a systematic manner to identify deep lying defects early. Test Automation Framework design skill, use of various automation tools e.g. Selenium and many others are very critical skill expectations from every tester. Non-functional testing is a vast field where special skill plays a key role. Performance testing, security testing, etc. require you to get expertise in special tools and methodologies. Block chain, AI/ ML / Deep Learning and LLM and Generative AI testing is a very interesting new skill to acquire.

Basic testing knowledge is the key to plan, strategise and execute a testing project or assignment whether the development methodology is waterfall or agile, whether application architecture is monolithic or microservices based, whether solution uses cloud, ERP, etc. Importance of testing, risk based approach, testing frame of mind, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, principals of testing, V model of testing, Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), various metrics, types of testing, test strategy and planning, defect management, test design techniques are some important topics that need to be understood. This knowledge can be applied when you have to make a testing estimation or proposal, while making a test strategy and plan.

Ao migrar para a garantia de qualidade, a habilidade mais importante a aprender é o conhecimento detalhado sobre práticas de teste. Isso inclui compreender os diferentes tipos de testes, como testes unitários, de integra??o, de sistema e de aceita??o, e quando aplicá-los. Além disso, é essencial entender técnicas de planejamento e execu??o de testes, como identifica??o de casos de teste, elabora??o de estratégias de teste e relatório de bugs de forma clara e precisa. Ter um sólido entendimento dos princípios de qualidade de software e das metodologias de desenvolvimento, como Agile ou DevOps, também é crucial para garantir que os testes sejam integrados de forma eficaz ao processo de desenvolvimento.

Understanding how to code allows you to effectively automate testing processes, write test scripts, and develop tools to enhance the testing environment. With coding skills, you can create robust test cases, conduct comprehensive test coverage, and identify potential bugs early in the development cycle. Moreover, being able to read and understand code enables you to collaborate more efficiently with developers, accurately pinpoint issues, and provide valuable feedback for improving the software's overall quality.

Above all technical proficiencies, the most crucial skill to master is effective communication. Soft skills encompass a spectrum of interpersonal abilities that are indispensable in navigating the collaborative landscape of quality assurance. These skills involve adept communication, both verbal and written, to articulate issues, concerns, and suggestions clearly and concisely to team members and stakeholders.