9 Ways to Quickly Improve Your Writing Skills as a Software Tester

In our previous discussion, we delved into “Potent Communication Abilities”, its relevance for Software testers, and the ways to refine verbal communication.

In continuing the same thread of discourse in this piece, I will endeavour to impart my insights on written communication and some strategies to refine it from the standpoint of a QA expert.

Initially, let’s compile a catalogue of the elementary inquiries concerning “Efficient Writing Abilities”: 

• What is meant by written communication?
• What are the various categories of written communication?
• Why is it essential to possess superior writing abilities?
• What factors define excellent writing talents?
• Last but not least, how can you elevate your written communication talents?

In this discussion, I will seek to give answers to all the above queries by employing examples.

Who can gain from this piece?

Anyone who is engaged with the software testing industry or has the desire to be included in it.

Let’s begin by comprehending the rudimentary concept.

Commercial Communication and Its Sub-Groups:

Communication is a bilateral procedure wherein a person relays their ideas or messages to another person. The other individual then offers feedback.

Written Communication pertains to expressing thoughts or messages via written text or symbols. As for written communication, the channel can be anything that enables writing, such as Blogs / Reports / Memos or even email.

Written communication is perceived as more trustable as it preserves information permanently, rendering it apt for conveying intricate information like data or prerequisites in software ventures.

Business communication is a form of written communication that transpires within organizations. Written or Business communication can be further categorized into Formal and Informal Communication.

Informal Business Communication alludes to professional interactions that are not necessarily formal within an organization.

In a QA team, we dispatch numerous emails during a workday. Some of these emails are shared within our internal team to impart information or enquire about status updates. Such emails can be deemed as informal business communication.

Suggested article => Writing Efficient Emails to QA (or any) Group

Formal Business Communication applies to the usage of written records that are official and professional.

Instances of formal communication can be test documents such as a Test Strategy or a Test Summary Report. Another example can be an email delivered to the client requesting an elongation for the testing phase.

Formal business communication can also be categorized as Internal and External.

1) Internal Communication takes place within the organization. If all groups involved in supplying software to the client, such as Architects, Business analysts, testers, developers, belong to the same organization, then the written communication transpiring between these groups is deemed internal communication.

An instance of Internal Written Communication can be as uncomplicated as a bug report or an email exchanged by a solution architect explaining a requirement that is not shared with the client.

2) External Communication occurs outside the organization. Any interaction that transpires between the Testing team and the client is perceived as external written communication.

The Importance of Writing Proficiency for a QA Individual

Let’s scrutinize why writing abilities hold significance for a QA individual with the assistance of a real-life instance.

Example:

Picture yourself as a Test Manager or Lead intending to employ software testers for your crew.

The job specification demands: a bare minimum of 1 to 2 years of expertise in testing. You commence reviewing resumes. You examine two resumes and identify that both applicants possess identical experience and both meet the requirements.

The summaries on their resumes are as follows:

Resume 1:

Summary of Experience: 2 Years of expertise in manual and automation testing. Partook in system, functional, and regression testing. Currently seeking a new opportunity to employ my skills in a more challenging role.

Resume 2:

Summary of Experience: Dedicated and Proficient Software Tester with over 2 years of expertise in Manual and Automation Testing, including Functional and Regression Testing. At present seeking a role as a Functional Tester to develop my skills and progress in my career.

Now, which resume would you choose at first glance?

You might conduct interviews with both candidates, but the argument I am trying to present here is that ‘Resume 2’ will create a captivating first impression. The reason is that it is well-structured, straightforward, and grammatically exact, which presents a very affirmative impression about the candidate. Poor or grammatically incorrect writing may create a negative impression about the candidate, and the resume itself may get discarded at the initial stage.

The reason is that it is well-structured, straightforward, and grammatically exact, which presents a very affirmative impression about the candidate. Poor or grammatically incorrect writing may form a negative impression about the candidate, and the resume itself may get discarded at the initial stage.

A resume is merely a simple instance illustrating why writing abilities hold significance. Trust me, we testers pen down a lot. All the business/client-related work banks heavily on written communication. You might not have realized, but most people in Software Testing allot a considerable part of their day to writing, even though we are not professional authors. 🙂

Also read => The Novice’s Manual to Crafting a Flawless Software Testing Resume

Let’s check out a few examples of what a QA individual writes:

• Various Test Documents – Strategy/plan/test cases/summary
• Status/Progress Reports
• Defect records
• Presentations
• Job Specifications
• Resumes
• Knowledge Tutorials
• Emails – we transmit different types of emails
  • Status/progress emails
  • Notification emails
  • Support Emails
  • Escalation emails
  • Informal Emails

The list is limitless, and hence it is exceedingly crucial to assert your thoughts distinctly and effectively in writing.

The Influence of Communication Abilities on Your Career

Efficient Writing Abilities can create a difference in your career. How? Let’s reveal it.

#1. Securing a new job or promotion:

When applying for a job, the initial impression that broadcasts information about you is the <a href=”https://iptvassist.com/apply-for-job-qa-testing-sample-cover-letter