4 Important Things I Learned in My Journey as a QA Test Manager

A Personal Introspection – The Journey to Success as a Test Manager – Barriers and Experiences

Progression is a crucial component of occupational advancement and believe me, the ensuing duties instill in us important lessons and propel our individual growth. Each step up the ladder, from a Junior to a Senior position and then from a Senior to a Manager, necessitates the need to let go of some of our prior knowledge and learn new information.

Being appointed as a QA Test Manager is undoubtedly a matter of prestige for anyone, including me. Today, I want to narrate my journey, the hurdles I overcame, and the invaluable wisdom I acquired along the way.

The role of a QA test manager can be likened to supervising a factory floor from a first-floor balcony. There’s a profound difference in the expectations and skill set compared to that of a senior tester or a test team lead.

Also read => Top 6 Interview Questions for QA Test Leads/Managers

Now, let me summarize the significant lessons from my stint as a Quality Assurance Manager.

#1. Significance of an Able and Unified Team

True, a manager is entrusted with the task of leading a group of individuals. These very individuals decide your victory as a manager.

In the initial phase of my job as a test QA manager, I was given a project which necessitated hiring a team member for a specific role. I looked for someone less experienced, hoping to steer and mentor them throughout the testing process. Additionally, I assumed that fresh minds introduce novel testing ideas. However, to my surprise, both my assumptions turned out to be completely wrong.

When did I have this epiphany? Fortunately, I couldn’t find an inexperienced tester and landed up collaborating with someone who had an impressive 4 years hand on experience on a similar application to ours. Once the project started rolling, I got tied up with two other minor projects.

During this, I discovered how the previous tester drastically reduced my workload. They independently handled responsibilities, such as bug tracking, liaising with the development team, fixing configuration issues, and kept me updated regularly. It was truly a revelation.

Had I teamed up with a neophyte, it would have consumed a significant chunk of my time and focus, which was almost impossible given my workload.

Therefore, the quality of the team members is of paramount importance.

Must-read => From Novice to Expert: A Comprehensive Guide to a Fruitful Adventure as a Testing Professional

#2. Importance of Valuing Others’ Views

My penchant for perfectionism and a user-centric testing approach laid the foundation for my unique work ethic. Undeniably, this thrilled clients as I continually went beyond their expectations.

However, the role of a quality assurance manager was to fulfill expectations by directing the work instead of doing it myself, which was quite a tough nut to crack.

Sometimes, when team members put forth ideas that I thought could be better, I had to control myself. I had to remind myself that the ultimate aim is to put forth quality work, and it doesn’t matter how we get there.

I was also faced with a need to address my shortcoming of monopolizing crucial tasks. I had a tendency to hand over less critical tasks to the team while retaining the important ones for myself. However, this attitude was wrong as it reflected distrust towards my team. Over time, I understood that to foster and grow the team, I need to trust them, understand their strengths and weaknesses, delegate tasks accordingly, and be ready to extend support and guidance when required.

#3. The Mastery of Effective Multitasking

As managers, we are called upon to juggle multiple projects, manage teams, and address queries all at once. Being capable of balancing multiple roles at the same time is a crucial skill for success.

Keeping a to-do list, prioritizing tasks, arranging work, managing disturbances and trying to stick to schedules all contribute to performing multiple tasks concurrently.

#4. The Intricate Art of Managing People

This holds true for any managerial position. Management of human resources imparts numerous valuable lessons, sometimes through challenging experiences. However, when viewed from a positive perspective, it can bring immeasurable advantages in multiple facets of life.

It is integral to understand that you will be able to settle some conflicts and issues, while others may demand you to exert your authority by saying “No.” In both situations, reactions and responses are inevitable.

At times, you will be successful in convincing people, and sometimes you won’t. Embrace and accept this truth.

You can’t satisfy everyone, and there will be occasions where you will have to step up. Keep the bigger picture in mind and exercise your authority when required.

A positive attitude, futuristic vision, and open communication have a significant role in successful people management.

Recommended read => Steps to Build a Successful QA Team?

Conclusion

Simply working hard and striving for personal excellence is not enough to be a competent manager.

A manager needs to work smart, master the craft of delegation, have a comprehensive understanding of tasks and expectations, efficiently communicate problems and advantages, and oversee the overall quality of work produced.

About the author: This thoughtful article was penned by Bhumika, a valued member of the STH team. With a decade of experience in software testing, she is a project manager with a great passion for testing and enjoys testing everything under the sun.

If you are a senior QA or test lead aspiring to be a QA test manager, what are your thoughts? What hurdles do you expect? We are eager to hear from you.

Happy testing!!