5 Excuses Every Software Tester Must Stop Giving

In my experience hiring and conversing with many testers, I have picked up on several recurring patterns that raise concern. Despite the high degree of skill within our testing community, certain excuses seem to stagnate the growth of numerous testers.

Apart from contributing factors such as industry understanding and organizational policies, I am convinced that the main barrier is the testers themselves.

Here, I present some typical patterns/excuses I have consistently come across:

5 Justifications Every Software Tester Should Cease to Give

Before I proceed, I must emphasize that not every tester and organization falls victim to these patterns. Nonetheless, I have witnessed enough instances to confidently state that several testers are affected.

#1) We don’t have control over our Test Environment, our access is extremely limited

A frequent excuse I encounter is that testers have only read-only access to the test environment. They assert having access to logs but not much else, entrusting the remainder of the work to separate teams.

However, having complete control of the test environment brings about numerous gains. For instance, you can ascertain that the test environment mirrors the production environment closely, minimizing unexpected issues during product deployment. You acquire information about the different components and software involved, which boosts your understanding of their function and potential points of failure. Additionally, access to debug infra level issues instills a feeling of responsibility and certainty when sending releases.

To gain control of your test environment, I suggest collaborating closely with the team in charge. Familiarize yourself with their management of the environment, gather knowledge about the setup and processes, and prove your capabilities. If your colleagues and managers notice your expertise and dedication, they should be eager to extend your control.

#2) We don’t execute a build deployment, another team is responsible for that

Another prevalent excuse is that testers are reliant on other teams to deploy their builds. This dependence can cause delays and obstruct the testing procedure.

Although developers may suggest when to apply a new build, testers have the ability to initiate and deploy builds independently. This not only saves time but also boosts the entire efficiency. It allows testers to control their testing cycles and obtain practical experience with deployment, serving as a precious learning opportunity.

#3) We don’t debug an issue, we merely identify steps and document it

Many testers only record issues without trying to debug or research them. Although logs and issue trends can supply critical data, making the additional effort to identify the root cause can expedite resolution and enhance testing efficiency.

Testers should strive to scrutinize issues more thoroughly and pose questions prior to referring them to developers. By adopting this approach, testers can acquire a superior comprehension of the system and spot any hidden issues that may not be instantly evident.

#4) I’m unsure why it occurred. The developer fixed it and I only confirmed it

One aggravating excuse I often hear is when a tester professes ignorance as to the root cause or the specifics of a developer’s fix. Testers should aim to comprehend the root cause analysis (RCA) and the precise modifications made by developers, as this insight can profoundly assist their testing process.

Testers shouldn’t shy away from querying developers about the exact solution, the module it was implemented in, and its correlations with other system segments. This knowledge not only strengthens testing but also helps testers to widen their technical know-how.

#5) I never had the chance to work on anything other than Manual Testing

While it might be the case that some testers are confined to manual testing due to workload or organizational duties, that doesn’t restrict them from investigating other forms of testing.

Testers can make minor strides towards expanding their competencies and understanding. They might monitor response times, query about anticipated production loads, conduct basic security examinations, or provide usability feedback. Learning and self-enhancement are continually viable, even when it necessitates additional effort beyond regular duties.

Conclusion

I trust these perspectives have ignited some reflections and aspirations within you. Overcoming these frequent excuses and actively seeking personal and professional development as a software tester is vital. By mastering your environment, broadening your skill set, and participating proactively in the testing process, you’ll evolve into a more valuable resource for your team and organization.

Remember, the potential for transformation lies within you.

Author: Mahesh C. – Senior Quality Assurance Manager