"Why You Don't Want to be a Tester" focuses on a common discussion we are having among Quality Assurance and Software Testing professionals, especially as it relates to operating as part of an agile team. In a recent discussion at the Software QA User Group in Portland Oregon, Brett used these slides to foster conversation and to promote the idea that each person should be proactive in their approach to not allow their role to simply become a tester. Solid QA practices are needed more today than ever as we move fast and raise the bar on quality and continually add to our tool belt!

1. An Agile Discussion
Brett A Tramposh
Quality Practice Leader at Cambia Health Solutions
bretttr@gmail.com bretttr@twitter.com

2. Opening Thoughts?
Why YOU don’t want to be a tester?
Reasons why you DO?

3. Software Testing
Verification: Have we built the software right?
(does it implement the requirements)
Validation: Have we built the right software?
(do the requirements satisfy the customer)

4. Software Testing - Simplified
Requirements Reviewed
 Test Plans Developed
 Estimates Given for Resources / Time
 Test Cases Created
 Test Execution
 Defects Triaged
 Defect Verification
 Regression Testing Performed

Focus tends to be on VALIDATION in Software Testing…

5. Software Testing - Simplified
Requirements Reviewed
 Test Plans Developed
 Estimates Given for Resources / Time
 Test Cases Created
 Test Execution
 Defects Triaged
 Defect Verification
 Regression Testing Performed

BUT – what actually happens??

6. Does it change in Agile?
What if ?

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you’re the only one testing on your team?
we don’t write documents because we’re
‘agile’?
we don’t have test automation
enabled for testing?
one sprint is development and the
next sprint is testing?
the pressure is simply to deliver
something?

7. Let’s Change the Subject

8. You Want a Career

9. Career Advancement

10. Executives Want

11. And They Want To

12. How can they get it?
Lean out the organization – fewer testers
 Require developers to unit test / TDD
 Continuous Integration
 Reduce test cycles overall – smarter testing
 Use Tools & Technology
 Proper Test Automation frameworks
 Hire / Train Skilled SQA Engineers

BUT – if that doesn’t happen…

13. How do they get it?

14. Basic Outsourcing Math
More testers = faster delivery
 Cheaper testing = cost savings


15. Outsourcing is not ‘bad’
Brett’s story time…
Rapid expansion – Beaverton to Bangalore
 Burst Capacity – scale up & down in China
 Follow-the-sun 24/7 delivery – release train

A Few Keys to Success:
o It requires a considerable investment to make it work
o You must not lose your in-house expertise in the process
o Keep your own controls in place – it’s your $$
o Stick to solid QA practices
o Don’t drink all the Kool-Aid they’re serving!
It’s part of our Quality Tool Belt!

16. The other silver bullet Execs love?
BUT – it’s easy to under deliver…

17. Repeat: How they can get it!!
Lean out the organization – fewer testers
 Require developers to unit test / TDD
 Continuous Integration
 Reduce test cycles overall – smarter testing
 Use Tools & Technology
 Proper Test Automation frameworks
 Hire / Train Skilled SQA Engineers

This is where YOU come in…

18. What should you do?
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
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
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Enable quality on your agile team
Remove yourself from being just “the” tester
Be passionate for the customer needs
Build cross-functional team knowledge
Champion incremental improvements
Assess your own strengths & skills – fill the gaps
Create a career development plan
Get a mentor
Talk to others, participate in your tech community
And keep learning – it’s fun!

19. What do you think?

But Brett, I love my job – I like testing
stuff and I’m happy.

How do you move away from
being TESTER, and become a
quality leader for your team?

20. Let’s Tie It Up
Quiz Time:
You don’t want to be a tester because:
A: Testers are easily replaceable (I know you disagree, it’s ok…)
B: You cannot outrun a bear
C: You are not building a good resume for the future
D: You are not as valuable to your team!
E: All of the Above

21. An Agile Discussion
Brett A Tramposh
Quality Practice Leader at Cambia Health Solutions
bretttr@gmail.com bretttr@twitter.com