With quality taking centerstage in software development lifecycle, the role of testing, particularly the qualities that testers bring to the table are very crucial. Clearly, testing has emerged from the backdoor to the front and central in the development process, working alongside other stakeholders to create business impact.
In this equation how testers manage stakeholders has become the differentiator between a good and a great tester. The social acumen to navigate diverse personalities and work harmoniously with different sets of people are essential qualities. While a lot of emphasis has been put on the technical skill and expertise, it is soft skills that do more to elevate the experience of developers and business users due to insights gathered during social interactions.
Earlier testing was restricted to finding bugs and defects in software coding and design but given that the scope of quality assurance has expanded to encompass business impact, soft skills underlined by a heavy dose of diplomacy hold the key to testing outcomes.
Testing methodologies have also evolved to become intelligent and more efficient with DevSecOps and AI/ML based tools. Supervised learning algorithms and ML bots identify patterns and predict potential defects early in the development lifecycle, while AI-powered failure analysis significantly reduce efforts towards root cause analysis. With increased automation, testers are empowered to shift the gear to focus on value creation. By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect using tact and diplomacy, testers can facilitate smooth project outcomes.
So, what are some qualities that are enabling testers to create value and excel in their roles.
Communication: Effective communication is necessary to work with developers, engineers, automation experts, business owners, analysts—all of whom use different language, jargon and tonality. Testers must be able to cut through this by listening and asking the right questions. At the same time, testers must be capable of articulating ideas, share insights and have a dialogue with the team.
Asking the right questions is crucial and testers must inquire thoughtfully, seeking clarity on project specifics, user requirements, and potential risks. It provides valuable insights and uncovers hidden issues. True comprehension begins with active listening and listening with empathy to understand perspectives and translate the needs into business outcomes.
Teamwork and collaboration are integral in an environment with diverse stakeholders having complex interdependencies. By actively engaging with team members, testers gain valuable insights and play a crucial role in coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure efforts are aligned with larger project goals. A holistic understanding and transparent information sharing allow for more effective test planning, execution, faster bug tracking, and resolution.
Critical Thinking: Designing comprehensive tests requires analysis of the needs and objectives, identifying potential gaps, and connecting the dots. It requires a meticulous approach to break the problem layer by layer into smaller parts; imagine how the application may function under different conditions and the likelihood of occurrence; critically evaluate which bugs to test and prioritize; and optimize tests on a continuous basis.
Cognitive Flexibility: Every software is designed for specific purposes and testers must have a flexible and adaptable approach towards each project. Given that organizations are living, growing, and evolving entities with moving goals and objectives, testers must be attuned with stakeholder needs. The ability to shift from one thought process to another in response to the environment requires a certain level of tolerance for uncertainty and acceptance of social and business conditions to creatively design testing solutions.
Emotional Intelligence: An emotionally balanced person is grounded, communicates better, and is empowered—enabling one to get along better with colleagues, manage uncertainty, and find solutions faster. Lower emotional intelligence is a barrier to career advancement as others become wary of a person’s unpredictable behavior and ability to handle situations. Self-awareness, cultivating confidence in one’s abilities and intuition are crucial to beat the stress during tight schedules and manage conflicting interests. At the same time, it must be balanced with an awareness and empathy for the needs and requirements of other stakeholders.
Embracing Soft Skills to Thrive
The evolution of software testing towards a more collaborative and value-driven approach underscores the importance of soft skills. As testers navigate the complexities of modern software development, they must embrace qualities such as effective communication, critical thinking, cognitive flexibility, and emotional intelligence to not only enhance individual performance but also promote teamwork and drive project success.
Testers must prioritize the development of essential soft skills alongside technical expertise to excel in their roles and contribute to the broader goals of the organizations. As software development continues to evolve, embracing the value of soft skills will remain essential for testing professionals to thrive and make meaningful contributions.
