What do you do if your software testing and quality assurance skills need a boost?

Consistent learning and staying updated with the latest trends and tools in software testing are crucial to boosting your skills. Consider the following: * Upskilling through online courses on platforms like Udemy and Coursera. * Obtaining certifications like ISTQB, CSTE, or ASTQB for structured learning and skill validation. * Gaining hands-on experience with real projects and tools for bug tracking and test automation. * Engaging with communities and forums like Stack Overflow, QA forums, or local meetups. * Developing soft skills like communication and problem-solving. * Seeking feedback and mentorship for guidance and growth.

Platforms like Udemy, and Pluralsight have been beneficial in developing my skills. Additionally, Google and YouTube have some valuable content too. However, it is essential to distinguish which courses would be beneficial and which wouldn't be, mainly by looking through the course content and comments that past attendees may have dropped.

Here's what you can do to boost your software testing and quality assurance (QA) skills: * Participate in code reviews:?Engage in code review processes to gain insights into potential bugs or areas for improvement from a developer's perspective. * Be open to learning from others, including junior QA testers. Their fresh perspective might reveal blind spots in your testing approach. * Integrate QA into the development process:?Encourage a shift-left testing approach where QA is involved from the beginning of development, not just at the end. * Focus on preventative measures:?Emphasise the importance of clear requirements, well-defined test plans, and code reviews to prevent bugs from entering the system in the first place.

Skills needing a boost is a little vague in requirements. Vague requirements don't lead to clear actionable objectives. We could be talking about making your team more efficient (automation, tooling), we could be talking about skill set and levels (training, up-skilling, targeted hiring to fill in gaps or teaching), it could be lack of enthusiasm and appreciation that is the problem (culture, incentives, feedback). It could be a mix of the above. Understand the underlying problem first.

Absolutely, online courses are a goldmine for learning, especially in fields like software testing and QA. However, I've noticed a common challenge among learners - the tendency to lose focus and jump from one course to another, whether due to peer pressure or simply feeling overwhelmed by choices. Personally, I find it helpful to reflect on my learning objectives before starting a course and remind myself to stay dedicated until the end. By embracing this approach, I've been able to maximize the benefits of online learning and truly enhance my skills.

Read books, so you will learn about new concepts and gain an understanding of them. Then apply what you just learned! As simple as that. One way of approaching this would be to discuss these ideas with a team; another is to bring these ideas in code reviews.

Read Books Is Very Crucial: Personal Experience: Reading books on software testing and quality assurance has been invaluable in deepening my understanding of fundamental concepts and best practices. Books like "The Art of Software Testing" by Glenford J. Myers and "Testing Computer Software" by Cem Kaner, Jack Falk, and Hung Q. Nguyen have provided me with valuable insights and strategies that I've applied in my testing projects.

Books serve as foundational pillars for expanding your understanding of software testing and QA. They offer a wealth of knowledge, from fundamental concepts and methodologies to advanced areas like performance and security testing. Delving into books allows you to grasp the principles and best practices deeply, enhancing your ability to apply testing strategies with precision. This timeless method of learning can significantly contribute to your expertise, providing insights through detailed case studies and theoretical discussions, thereby equipping you with the skills needed to excel in the field.

Boosting your software testing and quality assurance (QA) knowledge involves a combination of learning resources, reading of books and practical experience . Study some fundamentals books on software testing and QA. When selecting books, consider your current level of expertise, learning preferences, and career objectives. It's also beneficial to supplement your studies with practical experience and hands-on projects to reinforce your understanding of key concepts. By leveraging these resources effectively, you can build a strong foundation in software testing and QA principles.

I believe that books, while valuable, may not be the most efficient resources for learning as a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer. The field of software testing evolves rapidly, with best practices, technologies, and approaches constantly changing. The process of writing and publishing a book can be time-consuming, which may result in the content becoming outdated by the time it reaches the reader. While books do offer in-depth insights, they might not always keep pace with the industry's fast evolution. Hence, while books are useful, they should not be relied upon as the primary source of learning in this fast-paced field.

Understanding the code, the application behavior is the way for having the better quality no matter that a Web UI or Database Storage logic. - Use code coverage to identify the basic test cases. - Understand the dependencies behavior to have more the cases that cannot identify by code coverage.

Practice is the key to improve coding skills.Solve coding challenges on various platforms available online. Collaborate and engage with coding communities to understand more or better techniques.

I find that practical application is the only reliable method of improving testing skills. This means lots of time completing Katas solo or attending Code Dojo sessions with others in a mob setting. Importantly, it's not building out specific projects that will improve your skills, but instead practicing the individual skills and tools that matters - this is why FizzBuzz and other Katas are so reusable. Testing topics to consider practicing: - TDD (must have, as anything else is testing spaghetti code and reinforces bad habits) - Running tests in parallel (help identify coupling between tests or coupling no implementation details, due to errors and incorrect status failures) - Test Doubles (Fake, Stub, Mock, Spy - they all are used)

If you haven't practiced using a code kata as part of a group or TDD - ping pong programming, you are missing out on a fun way to level up! In my opinion, Practice is a very effective way to build a skill. Finding another person to help can solidify that knowledge.

Understanding programming languages helps QA to communicate with developers more effectively. With good knowledge on coding, designing tailored test scenarios becomes easier and testing effectiveness increases drastically.

Networking Events Is My Hobby: Personal Experience: Attending networking events such as conferences, meetups, and webinars has been instrumental in expanding my professional network and staying updated on industry trends. These events provide opportunities to learn from industry experts, share experiences with peers, and discover new tools and techniques that can enhance my testing practices.

Attending networking events related to software testing and quality assurance is a strategic way to enhance your skills. These events provide opportunities to connect with industry professionals, share insights, and learn about emerging trends and best practices. Engaging in discussions, attending workshops, and participating in panel sessions can broaden your knowledge base and expose you to diverse perspectives. Additionally, networking events often feature keynote speakers who offer valuable insights and inspiration. By actively participating in networking events, you can expand your professional network, stay updated on industry developments, and ultimately boost your software testing and quality assurance skills.

For me, attending networking events is a scary thought. I have to force myself to engage and reach out to meet people. The best trick for me is to set a goal for yourself on how many people you meet. Don't leave until you have met your goal.

Networking events like "STARWEST," "STARCANADA," "Selenium Conference," and "QCon" facilitate connections among software testers and quality assurance professionals. They offer workshops, presentations, and discussions on testing methodologies and automation strategies, fostering knowledge exchange and career growth. These events provide opportunities to learn about the latest trends, share insights, and build valuable relationships, ultimately enhancing software testing and quality assurance skills.

Networking events are essential for software testers and QA professionals to connect, collaborate, and stay updated on industry trends. These gatherings provide opportunities to expand professional networks, share experiences, and discover innovative approaches to testing, ultimately enhancing skills and advancing careers.

Join Forums Better Connectivity And Trends Updating : Personal Experience: Participating in online forums and communities dedicated to software testing, such as Reddit's r/QualityAssurance and Stack Overflow, has been invaluable in gaining insights from fellow testers and seeking advice on challenging issues. Engaging in discussions, asking questions, and sharing experiences have enriched my learning journey and provided me with practical solutions to real-world testing problems.

Joining forums dedicated to software testing and quality assurance is a proactive approach to skill enhancement. Engaging with a community of professionals allows for knowledge exchange, troubleshooting, and exposure to diverse perspectives and techniques. Forums like Stack Overflow, Software Testing Club, and Reddit's r/softwaretesting offer valuable resources, discussions, and networking opportunities. By actively participating in these forums, individuals can stay updated on industry trends, learn from real-world experiences, and receive feedback on their testing approaches, ultimately boosting their software testing and QA skills.

Forums are always a good help, but they are often not productive enough. It is therefore essential to do your own practice through programming.

oining online forums and communities is indeed a valuable strategy for software testers and QA professionals to stay updated, seek support, and engage in meaningful discussions about the latest trends and challenges in the field. Platforms like Stack Overflow and specialized QA forums provide vibrant communities where individuals can connect with peers, ask questions, share insights, and exchange experiences related to software testing. By actively participating in these communities, you can tap into a wealth of collective knowledge and expertise, gaining valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance your skills and understanding of the industry.

I think engaging with a mentor can be very helpful in areas where there is a very specific skill needed; mentorship can be transformative in many ways that online training or reading a book is not. Someone who is able to add insight that you may have not considered yet can be very clutch, also knowing that someone was where you are and got past it is encouraging

As a CTO I have an understanding what the QA capability of the company is and could and should be. That said, I am by no means a QA engineer and expert. I am lucky, though, to have someone of trust in my circle of friends who is indeed an expert in the field. This is why instead of hiring a "senior" to take our efforts to the next level, we were able to engage this expert in a mentorship program to empower our medior level colleagues in theoretical, organizational and practical terms. This gives us a solid baseline to build upon, instead of hoping that "x years of experience" do not turn out to be in fact years of questionable professional habits.

Engaging in a mentorship program can significantly enhance your journey in software testing and QA. A seasoned QA mentor offers personalized guidance, helps tackle complex testing challenges, and provides career advice. This relationship not only sharpens your technical skills but also broadens your industry perspective, potentially unlocking new opportunities. Mentorship accelerates learning and professional growth, making it a valuable strategy for anyone looking to advance in the field of software testing and quality assurance.

Mentorship programs offer invaluable opportunities for software testing and quality assurance professionals to enhance their skills. Pairing with experienced mentors provides personalized guidance, insights, and real-world advice related to individual needs. Through mentorship, participants gain practical knowledge, refine their techniques, and navigate challenges more effectively. By leveraging the expertise and experience of mentors, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of software testing and QA principles, ultimately becoming more competent and confident practitioners in their field.

Mentorship Programs Makes Journey Easier: Personal Experience: Being part of a mentorship program has been transformation in my career growth as a tester. Having a mentor to provide guidance, share experiences, and offer feedback has helped me gain confidence, navigate challenges, and set achievable career goals. Seek out mentorship opportunities within your organization or professional networks to accelerate your learning and development journey.

A lot of time, the QA focus lags behind other things, because people do not get a sense of the "why" this is a critical part of the SDLC. In a world of short deadlines and endless stories , it is very hard to create a culture around craftsmanship and quality. One way to address this kind of problem is showing the involved professionals the impact of their work, with quirks and issues. Only after a clear understanding on why QA is important is achieved, then you can start going in actual "how" type of discussions, which can be obtained via trainings, courses and all other available material.

Software testing is going through a transformative change with the new advancements in AI. It is now possible to integrate tools that can suggest or even fully generate tests for your software projects. For example, if you're aiming to develop end-to-end tests for web applications, some tools out there can actually autonomously identify the test-worthy user flows and generate Cypress or Playwright code that automate the whole test-case. I'm working on this kind of solution at Checksum.ai. With these new developments, as an aspiring skillful member of your software's testing efforts, you should always be aware of the various tools and try to integrate some of them to make the best out of AI assisted QA for your company.

Based on previous similar situations and experiences, I believe the best approach to this scenario is to enhance software testing and quality assurance skills by exploring Test Driven Development (TDD) design methodology. TDD emphasizes writing tests before writing code, ensuring that code meets desired behavior from the outset. The possibility to run automatic and periodic unit tests using continuous integration servers, allows all the teams to discover issues before to release to QA/PROD Team. By adopting TDD, we can focus on requirements, reduce errors, ease maintenance, and promote collaboration among development and QA teams. Embracing TDD enhances the overall quality and efficiency of the software development process.

Take advantage of the GenAI tools like ChatGPT to prepare an holistic understanding of QA tools and tricks of the trade. The interactive session with ChatGPT can help you build a great "bespoke QA curriculum"