4 Things That Should Be on Tester’s Radar in 2024 – Happy New Year 2024!

In 2016, India experienced a significant episode of demonetization, Selenium3 was launched, and there were even rumors of snowfall in Hyderabad. While this last event might not be factual, deep down there’s a part of us that wishes it were, isn’t it? This is the beauty of hope, which the New Year always brings – a cornucopia of opportunities, a gift to uncover, a clean canvas, an enigmatic upcoming story, and a fresh beginning. The future is waiting for you to mold it!

As we enter the new year, STH carries on its long-held tradition of spotlighting critical trends and progressions that would majorly impact the next twelve months.

In the past year, we forecasted that cloud-based platforms, agile strategies, crowd sourcing and mobile testing will take center stage in the sphere of QA, and we’re certain that considerable improvements were perceptible in these sectors. IT domains rarely undergo drastic alterations, hence not much has veered off course from last year, yet…

Let’s reveal the four critical points to monitor in 2020!

#1) The Emerging Significance of the SDET Role: As Agile, SAFe, DevOps, and expedient development paradigms gain traction, the SDET role is asserting dominance over conventional QA analyst roles within the US QA job sphere. If you’ve yet to plan your positioning within this changing landscape, it’s an opportune time.

#2) The Intensifying Focus on IoT-Based Testing: Nearly every technology device we utilize is transitioning into a smart device, each demanding its own unique testing parameters. The IoT sector is already bustling and shows no indicators of diminishing vitality. Learn more through this resource: Internet Of Things Solutions

#3) Business Language Guided Testing: This point highlights the growing adoption of behavior-driven development and test-driven development. I personally admire the user-friendliness offered by Gherkin in the software testing procedure (granted, I’m overstating my enthusiasm slightly when referring to the “grub and grime” aspect :)). I reckon that business magnates and non-technical stakeholders concur with me. Everybody wins. To put it metaphorically, Cucumber isn’t just a nutritious vegetable anymore.

#4) Streamlining and Simplifying Software Delivery and Operation: We’ve noticed a surge in container technologies and tools such as Docker. Although this might not directly impact our basic testing activities (e.g. test design and execution), it crucially facilitates end-to-end automation and organizing builds, deployments, and shipping processes. A white paper that offers valuable insights into this subject is: Containers 101

Hence, gear up for a change in the way your test harness is assembled and distributed.

With these crucial parameters on your radar, it’s time to establish realistic goals, or ‘resolutions’ for the coming year.

Consider embracing these three minor adjustments that can radically influence and rejuvenate your career in the New Year.

#1) Cultivate Generosity:

• Consider active participation in the QA community.
• Transfer your knowledge, perspectives, opinions, experiences, and insights to enrich the QA community.
• Offer mentorship to a QA novice.
• Instigate a group and initiate enlightening discussion threads.
• Dedicate time to answering queries on forums, utilizing your expertise where applicable.
• Share any newfound knowledge. Don’t have a blog? Not a problem – leverage platforms like LinkedIn or reach out to software testing blog owners requesting a guest post. Most will gladly give you a spotlight.
• Create a QA-oriented video and make it public.

These steps will not only assist someone in need but also fortify your online presence, thereby augmenting your career and personal development.

#2) Hone Your Interpersonal Skills

A considerable number of us in the technology field are experts in our roles, yet we hesitate to tackle the non-technical facets. We tend to steer clear of small talk, public speaking, presentations, and confrontations. Now is the time to face these challenges. Leverage online resources to master skills such as enhancing presentation proficiency.

#3) Evaluate Your Position and Consider Novel Opportunities

This New Year, assess your relevance and value within the prevailing industry environment.

• Spend some time browsing job portals to gauge the current demands and trends in the industry.
• Refresh your resume if it hasn’t been updated for a while and maintain its up-to-date version.
• Also, keep your online profiles updated with your latest professional information.
• Understand the path forward to maintain or even enhance your market presence.

It’s possible that you may hear or personally experience shifts in your role, or perhaps whether your role will persist five years down the line. For instance, business analysts may question their relevance, as product owners and sponsors display increasing involvement. Test managers may doubt their importance as compact teams with one or two QAs become the norm. You may also reflect on the permanence of manual testing as SDETs take the reins, or if you’d be rendered redundant by automation.

If you feel your skills are deficient and affecting job security, take proactive steps. Upgrade your skills rather than pivoting entirely in your career direction.

For instance: If you’re a content writer, comprehending how SEO influences your writing choices can provide avenues to SEO copywriting or even digital marketing. By doing so, you remain a content writer but with an enhanced skillset.

If required, consider enrolling in a course, studying independently, pursuing internships, or seeking volunteering engagements. Broaden your horizons, embrace multidisciplinary roles, and contemplate obtaining certifications as catalysts in your professional transitions.

Now that STH has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, the ball is in your court!

We’d like to conclude this article by summarizing our accomplishments in 2020:

Inspire:

Beyond our standard content geared towards promoting optimism and enlightenment, we introduced a column named “Know your leader,” offering insights into QA visionaries’ careers. Here are the publications in this sequence thus far:

• Meet a Leader – A 14-Question Interview with Neeraj Tripathi, VP of Global QA at Infor
• An Interview with Michael Bolton – His Advice for Emerging Testers on Success Strategies

Educate:

We’re applauded for our comprehensive tutorials and this year we’ve expanded our offerings. If you’re keen on learning something innovative, we’ve got you covered.

• TestLodge
• Android on IOS
• Jubula
• Rational ClearQuest
• BPT

Mentor:

STH is here to aid you, whether you’re in search of guidance or actionable “how-tos,” we’ve got your needs fulfilled.

• How to Plan and Execute an Impressive QA Testing Presentation for Your Team
• 9 Strategies to Rapidly Enhance Your Writing Abilities as a Software Tester
• Attracting More Interview Calls – Four Reasons You’re Currently Not Realising this Goal

We are also keenly aware of the scope for improvements. In the upcoming year, envisage:

• The introduction of long-awaited complimentary live projects
• The conduction of complimentary tutorial courses on engaging topics suggested by our readership
• The revitalization of our website designs (.org and .com)
• Better support to address reader inquiries

STH would like to convey its gratitude for your readership, hoping that we’ve fulfilled your needs in 2020 adequately. We pledge to exceed your expectations in 2024. And perhaps this might be the year when snow actually falls in Hyderabad.

Special thanks to Swati, an illustrious member of the STH team, for compiling these crucial points to help testers gear up for 2024!

Here’s wishing you an outstanding and prosperous New Year! Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s raise a toast! 🙂