This composition is written specifically for all my QA aficionados!
Long past are the days when QAs could afford to bide their time waiting for builds to arrive and instituting tests and identifying bugs afterward. A large portion of their schedule was devoted to composing and scrutinizing test cases.
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However, the paradigm has shifted, bringing modifications to the duties of QA experts. Today, even if you’re fortunate to be involved in manual testing for major IT firms, you must possess additional proficiencies such as API testing, postman, SOAP, database testing, and more intricate ones like automation and performance testing.
Consider the job vacancies for testers with 2-4 years of experience, you will encounter an extensive list of aptitudes required. An elementary grasp of Java and Selenium, as well as expertise in performance testing utilizing tools like Jmeter or LoadRunner, is deemed obligatory. This is just the beginning of the selection criteria.
To illustrate, here’s a tester’s job description having an experience of 2-4 years:
- In-depth knowledge of Java is requisite.
- Selenium – Compulsory.
- Must be adept at performance testing employing Jmeter/LoadRunner and have a detailed comprehension of operating systems along with performance tuning concepts.
These are merely the basic preconditions. Other competencies in languages like Python, Perl, and Groovy are frequently preferred by many corporations.
So, are we progressing towards the profile of SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)?
It’s certainly factual that testers must have rudimentary familiarity with programming and be open to automation. However, bear in mind that automation projects are not always accessible. Often, testers find themselves engaged in manual projects providing scarce opportunities for learning and career progression.
A prevalent issue in numerous organizations is that even QA representatives and managers end up performing tasks analogous to those of junior testers. Advancing to a higher position does not guarantee the anticipated responsibilities and advancement.
So, what future does a Lead QA professional envision?
Let’s not overlook the aspiration of every IT expert – on-site deployment. Yet, opportunities for QAs to be on-site are frequently lesser compared to business analysts or developers. The general pattern in the industry is that there are confined on-site opportunities for QAs.
Shifting our focus back to this article’s title – “Balancing QA Roles and Goals”.
The chief consideration is whether our positions align with our objectives. With years rolling by, numerous testers express feeling stagnant and repeating the same chores they handled years ago.
Testers possessing 10+ years of experience are often still functioning as “Test Analyst” or “Senior Test Analyst,” while developers with comparable experience have advanced into positions like “Project Managers” or “Product Managers.”
Recollecting the roles you have fulfilled throughout your professional journey might seem intriguing, possibly even discouraging. After accumulating 7-8 years of experience, it’s dispiriting to acknowledge minimal learning.
Designations | Years in Role (Average) | Total Years of Experience | Learnings/Concerns/Challenges |
---|---|---|---|
Junior Associate QA | 1 | 1 | Test case writing, bug reporting, basic manual testing |
Associate QA | 1.5 | 2.5 | Test case reviews, occasional automation |
Senior Associate QA | 1.5 | 4 | Status reporting, automation, performance testing |
Associate Lead QA | 2 | 6 | Creating test plans, estimations, team handling (if lucky) |
Lead QA | 2 | 8 | Test strategy, Excel work, timesheet management, account creation, billing data |
Associate Manager QA | 3 | 11 | Similar to Lead QA role with more responsibilities |
Manager QA | 3 | 14 | No significant change in roles, considering a switch to BA |
Director QA | 3 | 17 | No significant change in roles, focusing on managing overall quality |
Thus, the span of 5-7 years is significant in a QA career. It’s crucial to contemplate your strong and weak points and choose your path accordingly:
- If coding or automation doesn’t captivate your interest but you possess robust analytical and communication competencies, think about transitioning towards a BA position after 5 years.
- If coding intrigues you, then concentrate on automation. Avoid complacency in the domain of manual testing. Change companies until you discover your perfect role.
- If you comprehend logic well but don’t enjoy coding, delve into the market’s technologies and consider transitioning towards a delivery-focused role rather than persisting in QA. The delivery sector offers immense learning opportunities.
Some might debate that frequent job shifts are inadvisable. But what should we do if our roles don’t satisfy us? Should we accept and continue doing what we’re currently doing, even if it doesn’t bring us pleasure? It’s critical to prioritize your happiness and professional growth.
Your roles must align with your goals. If not, it’s time to revaluate and bring about changes. Remember, professional satisfaction is a key element of personal fulfillment.
About the Author: This article has been penned by Hasneet, a Software Testing Lead in a multinational corporation.
Have you witnessed a similar situation in your QA career? Please share your experiences.