A software tester may seem like a straightforward role to pin down: someone who can review requirements, understand how a system works, and then identify and communicate issues but as with most things, there is more to it than what meets the eye. A successful software tester usually possesses certain characteristics that provide them with the right mix of technical knowledge, personality traits, and a little something extra that makes them the type of person who is always looking to find and solve problems daily.

We have been in the software testing industry for nearly 25 years and have acquired extensive knowledge about what qualities make a great tester. Today, we want to share that secret with you! Before we move on to the detailed recipe of an award-winning software tester, let us first acknowledge the importance of diversity in testing.

It’s essential to understand that each user has their own unique experiences based on factors such as gender identity, ability, race, and past experiences. While there may be similarities between great testers, it’s crucial to have a diverse team to ensure that all experiences are represented when searching for bugs.

And now, on to our recipe!

Directions

  • Test, test, test: The best way to become a better tester is to get as much experience as possible in testing. Diverse experience in testing will prepare you to handle any challenges that arise in the software testing world. You can diversify your experience by working in various:
    • industry verticals
    • organizations and teams
    • stages of testing, from developing ideas, test strategies, and test cases, to reporting and communicating results
  • It is important to enhance your technical skills to perform more complex and in-depth testing. You can achieve this by learning to work with databases beyond simple SQL queries, delving into API testing, and understanding the basics and advantages of CI/CD pipelines.
  • Be an advocate: As a tester, you need to be able to play the part of the end-user and advocate for quality from the users’ perspective. Improve your perspective-taking, understanding of software, and persuasive skills to convince a developer that something they don’t think is a bug is, in fact, a bug.
  • Experiment and embrace failure. Testing is a form of experimentation that involves trying out various approaches, observing the outcomes, and analyzing those results to conclude. It’s important to seek out opportunities to try new things and be a part of projects that might not succeed easily. Learning from failure is often where you will gain the most valuable insights.

After establishing a solid foundation in testing, numerous additional skills can elevate a tester from good to great. These supplementary abilities allow individuals to expand their testing toolkit beyond the essential elements that initially made them suitable for the role. Some of these mix-ins may include:

After you have gathered all the necessary ingredients and mix-ins to create a good tester, what should you do next? Once you have gained sufficient knowledge and experience, you can contribute to your local testing community. This can be done through mentoring, providing training, or introducing new concepts to others in the field.

The recipe for becoming a great software tester may change as you progress in your career, but the fundamentals always remain the most important. To build a strong foundation, you need to possess a combination of traits such as curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These qualities will always set you up for success.

Do you think we have included all the necessary qualities that make a great software tester in our recipe? Is there any ingredient that we have missed? Please share your thoughts with us on social media. Also, if you are looking for a skilled and efficient team to assist you in resolving your testing problems, we can help you with that.

Categories: PLATO Family, Soft Skills for Tester