How to Be a Good QA Manager: Daily Tasks, Crises, Growth

More QA teams are splitting between office and home.

More projects need to be everything at once: fast, flawless, and feature-packed.?

More tools and tech are popping up every day.

…And guess what? QA managers are feeling the heat.

In this QA QuickBytes, we're talking about what it takes to be a good QA manager today.

We'll cover the daily grind, how to handle tough times, and ways to help your team grow.

No fancy talk, just real advice from our own QA trenches.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe above for more QA tips every two weeks.

Hiring: Looking Beyond First Impressions

Take the lead from the very beginning.

When hiring for your QA team, look past polished resumes and imperfect interviews.?

Remember, passing interviews is a skill in itself, but it's not always indicative of a candidate's true potential or fit for the role.

As our QA Lead, Igor Kovalenko, says:

"Sometimes, more experienced candidates struggle to showcase their abilities in interviews, while less experienced ones might seem more prepared and enthusiastic. It's crucial to dig deeper to find true potential."

Here are some tips to help you identify the right candidates:

• Use practical problem-solving scenarios. Present real-world QA challenges and observe how candidates approach them. This can reveal their thought processes and practical skills.
• Look beyond rehearsed answers. Try to engage candidates in a genuine conversation about their experiences and challenges in QA.
• Assess teamwork skills. QA professionals often work closely with developers and other team members. Ask for examples of successful collaboration.
• Evaluate attention to detail. This is crucial in QA. Consider including a task that requires careful observation and thoroughness.
• Look for adaptability. Ask about situations where they had to learn new tools or methodologies quickly. QA often requires flexibility and rapid learning.
• Don't overlook soft skills. Communication, time management, and handling pressure are as important as technical skills in QA.

Remember, a candidate who may not ace the interview could still be an excellent addition to your team. Focus on their potential, passion for quality, and ability to learn and grow within your organization.

Day-to-Day Management

Effective daily management is the backbone of a successful QA team. Here is what we try our best to implement as a must-do strategy:

Clear Communication

Make sure everyone knows what they're doing and why it matters. No fancy jargon is needed – just plain, clear instructions.

Have quick, regular check-ins. A 15-minute daily standup can prevent hours of confusion later.

Trust and Guidance

Give your team room to make decisions. Be there when they need you, but don't hover. It's about finding that sweet spot between support and independence.

Regular Feedback

Don't wait for yearly reviews. Give feedback often, and make it specific. Remember to praise good work, not just point out areas for improvement.

Attention to Small Issues

Encourage your team to speak up about small hiccups. Often, these are easier to fix and can prevent major headaches down the line.

"Organization and attention to detail are essential. Don't ignore small issues until they become big problems."

Mykhailo Tomara, QA Lead

Breaking Barriers

Invest in good relationships between QA and other departments, especially development.

Remember, there's no “us vs. them” in quality. Everyone plays a part in delivering a great product.

Agile, Agile, Agile

In agile, everyone can be a leader. Encourage your team to take initiative and solve problems together.?

Use daily standups not just for updates but as a chance for the team to help each other out.

Balancing Tech Skills with Soft Skills

Yes, technical skills are important, but don't neglect the 'people' side of things.

Help your team develop skills like clear communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These can be just as crucial as knowing the latest testing tool.

Handling Crises

Know your team's strengths and weaknesses well. This helps in delegating tasks effectively during crunch times.

Maintain open lines of communication, especially with the client.

Team Development

Peer Learning

Implement peer coaching within your team. It spreads knowledge, develops leadership skills, and strengthens team bonds. At TestFort, we've seen how team members often discover new perspectives when learning from each other.

Supporting Career Paths

Understand each team member's career goals. This allows you to:

• Assign tasks aligned with their interests
• Identify relevant development opportunities
• Help them connect with other departments for career progression

For example, at TestFort, we offer the following options:

• A mentorship program for manual testers transitioning to automation
• A certification program for AI automated testing tools

Investing in your team's growth improves QA processes and increases job satisfaction.?

Remote Work?

If your team works remotely, don't forget the importance of informal communication. Regular check-ins and casual conversations can help maintain team cohesion and morale.

“We discovered the power of virtual coffee breaks during the pandemic. What started as casual chats over tea or coffee grew into a vibrant space where colleagues connected, shared ideas, and even played games. These informal moments became surprisingly productive and brought our remote team closer together.”

?Igor Kovalenko, QA Lead

Remember, good management is about continuous learning and adaptation.?

You can’t always do it all right, so don’t get discouraged. Just keep going back to the basics.

Do you have any QA management experiences or tips to share??

We'd love to hear from you.