Meet Evgeniia Antonova, a QA Expert from the Sixsentix Germany Team. With a remarkable decade-long journey as an ISTQB certified Test Manager, Evgeniia has navigated the complexities of different testing methods, strategic details, and the practical aspects of managing tests in large and complex projects – including those related to SAP in various industries.
In her daily interactions, Evgeniia Antonova bridges connections with testers hailing from different corners of the globe and representing diverse industries. Having collaborated closely with testers at all levels and backgrounds for more than a decade, she has noted common misconceptions that surround their profession. In this interview, we delve into these stereotypes, guided by Evgeniia's insightful perspectives, to uncover the truths that either validate or debunk these notions.
Stereotype #1 Testers are “Perfectionists” or “Nitpickers”
For me, this stereotype is somewhat false. As for testers' mindset, they should definitely pay attention to the details, but they also know for sure that perfection is never achievable, and testing cannot be 100% exhaustive.
Moreover, testers should not lose sight of the bigger picture and should prioritize client value. As an example, they assess and weigh all errors found to avoid unnecessary delays when going live.
Regarding this stereotype, my conclusion is next:
- Testers pay attention to the details, but they know perfection is impossible.
- Testing can't cover everything, so they focus on what's important to clients.
- Testers evaluate errors and prioritize risks to avoid delays.
Stereotype #2 Testers lack technical skills
It’s a very common stereotype about the testers, that’s why I would like to approach this stereotype from three different angles:
- The origin of this stereotype is probably based on the perception that manual testing is the easiest way to start a career in IT, which may have some truth to it. Personally, I entered the profession with only a few technical courses from university, a crash testing course lasting four months, an ISTQB certificate, and a couple of months of experience as a beta tester for professional software I had used in a previous job. This provided a decent foundation for me to begin developing my expertise.
- Another aspect to consider is the influence of trends in software development, which can sometimes redefine the required technical skills. For example, a few years ago, finding a Selenium test automation engineer was challenging, as many were focused on codeless test #automation tools. However, it seems that Selenium and Cypress are now regaining popularity. This means that technical skills must be continually developed by testers as well. Even if someone can use a "codeless" test automation tool, it is not sufficient to be called a test automation engineer. Understanding software architecture, databases, protocols, and other technical aspects is still necessary.
- The field of testing is highly diverse. Certain types of tests, such as penetration or security testing, or specific infrastructure tests, require not only deep technical knowledge but sometimes additional certifications. Some of those technical skills are indeed an expensive rarity.
In conclusion, I believe the stereotype is about 65% true. The remaining 35% can be attributed to prejudice or incorrect expectations.
Stereotype #3 Testers are documentation enthusiasts
I see this as a crucial professional trait. A well-maintained traceability matrix and documentation are vital. Detail-documented bugs can help developers reproduce and troubleshoot the problem more quickly. Test protocols or test closure reports might be of great use during the audits. Some of my colleagues even say: “If something is not written down, it has never happened.”
Stereotype #4 Testers are critical thinkers
In my eyes, critical thinking is essential for testers! Their ability to uncover bugs or refine user stories is important. Through insightful questions, testers enhance acceptance criteria and bring in forgotten use cases, especially those "unhappy" paths and edge cases. Normally, a good tester will not only follow some pre-defined steps but also will look around keeping the bigger picture in mind.
To conclude with my subjective opinion: viewing testers as documentation enthusiasts and critical thinkers is not a stereotype but rather a job requirement which is critical for the success of any project.
Stereotype #5 Testers are simply failed developers
While this notion is often heard, it's not something I've encountered in my experience. On the contrary, I've come across testers who successfully transitioned into roles like frontend developers or database administrators. Moreover, I've known penetration testers who also excel as talented developers. Considering the prevailing trends in software development that emphasize build-in quality, I think that generally the roles of QA and developers will be taking more and more skills from one another.
Stereotype #6 Testers merely follow instructions and lack creative thinking
First, my question here would be: “Who writes those instructions?!”
Designing test cases can demand considerable creativity, particularly when complex data scenarios or system integrations come into play. Certain testing and planning phases require massive creativity sometimes — building diverse options and recovery strategies. The architecture of test automation is equally analytical and creative.
Here is one anecdote, that just came into my mind.
Testing the bar.
A young tester completes testing on a new bar. He orders a beer – 1 goes well. He orders 999 beers - all is fine. He tries a gin and tonic - still no issue.
Come the bar's opening day, a customer walks in and asks about the restroom… Boom! 😊
So, testers should sometimes think out of the box and try out different “hats.”
Conclusion
In the quest to understand the world of testing, Evgeniia Antonova has revealed the multilayered nature of this profession. Stereotypes, often born from misunderstanding, fail to capture the complexity and importance of testing. Testers are not mere checkbox tickers, but dynamic professionals who bridge technical expertise, critical thinking, and creativity. It's essential to remember that the testing field is not a realm of monotonous repetition. Instead, it's a vibrant space where innovation meets precision, and diligence meets creativity.
If you're intrigued by the role testers play in the software development landscape and seek to contribute to the ever-evolving world of quality assurance, we invite you to explore the open positions at Sixsentix here