How Important is it for a Tester or Developer to Communicate with Each Other?

Let’s initiate our conversation about the topic by picturing a real-world instance:

Visualize two individuals living under the same roof, exchanging communication only through necessary text messages. They reside in the same space without showing any active engagement or affection towards each other.

Over time, what transpires? Irritation grows, frustration gets compounded, anger emerges, leading eventually to an outburst. Relationships only flourish when there’s frequent interaction, reduced conflicts, and mutual understanding and admiration.

Now, parallel this situation with the stages of software project execution.

The bond between a Developer and a Tester mirrors this scenario. They work together to ensure project success. No project has ever succeeded purely due to tools, budget, coding, or infrastructure. It is always the involved individuals who make the project successful. For success, it’s teamwork that matters, rather than solo contributions.

Establishing this premise, let’s delve further into understanding why communication and teamwork are such a necessary part of developers’ and testers’ roles.

Why is Communication and Teamwork Essential Between Developers and Testers?

First, let’s uncover the benefits of Developers and Testers working together as a team:

#1) Project accomplishment: When there are no consistent clashes or ego battles between development and testing teams, the project is bound to be successful. The usual scenario sees these teams indulged in a blame game.

They want to prove that the other team’s inadequacies are the roots of all issues or bugs. Nevertheless, if they comprehend that the ultimate responsibility belongs to the project, they can collaboratively work on challenges.

#2) Individual advancement: Personal growth is facilitated when there’s healthy competition and an absence of hidden agendas. Sharing thoughts and welcoming suggestions stimulates personal improvement.

#3) Team improvement: Ultimately, when team members appreciate and respect each other’s contributions, the team becomes stronger and more capable.

Also, read => How to Construct and Expand Your QA Team

#4) Lessons for upcoming projects: Everyone gains beneficial insights from successfully delivered projects. This knowledge assists in the seamless and untroubled execution of future endeavors.

Having comprehended the advantages of working as a team, let’s talk about how we can fulfill this:

Meaningful Communication: The Secret Behind Developer and Tester Collaboration

Approaches for cooperative work:

#1) Leave work-related ego at the doorstep: When stepping into the workspace, consciously discard any personal ego. Although it’s normal to appreciate oneself for doing an exemplary job, it doesn’t translate that others are not.

If a developer dismisses any reported bugs in their module as unimportant, frivolous, or a ploy to annoy, it’s more of an ego issue than a bug problem.

If a tester perceives that their reported bugs are dismissed because the developer intends to belittle them, or the developer is averse to fixing bugs, or the developer thinks the tester is misunderstanding, it hinders bug identification and testing concepts.

Ego display obstructs personal growth and hampers others’ progress

Consequently, it’s essential to see oneself as a member of the team aiming for correctness, not just as a tester. Instead of feeling affronted by rejected bugs, strive to understand the reasons behind it. Refrain from assuming that the estimated testing time has been squandered.

Avoid underestimating your role by viewing development as a superior job. Additionally, refrain from overconfidence due to discovering errors in others’ work.

#2) Stay grounded in reality: As a tester, a rejected bug could be discouraging. However, it’s crucial to be practical and comprehend the reasons behind the disapproval. Evaluate if there was any misunderstanding or assumption from your side, discuss it with the developer or project manager if you believe your scenario was correct before proceeding.

#3) Project should be the priority: Always have the bigger picture in mind and prioritize tasks accordingly. The project should precede individual bugs or egos. Set aside your ego, approach developers to discuss, learn, understand, and then move ahead with your tasks.

#4) Patience pays off: Change is a gradual process, exhibit patience and carry on with your tasks diligently. Don’t let negative comments or occasional dismissals from developers deter you.

#5) Exchange ideas without focusing on implementation: Frequent interaction between development and testing teams aids in generating innovative ideas from both sides. Developers can suggest ways to improve module testing, while testers can provide insights on defect rectification. Remain open to fresh suggestions and ideas.

#6) Acknowledge human fallibility: Avoid highlighting critical bugs in front of developers. Recognize that testers operate under similar constraints of time and budget as developers do. No software can ever be entirely bug-free; else, there wouldn’t be a need for testing. Appreciate your role in identifying problems and work towards fixing them rather than mocking.

#7) Collaborative teams outperform single teams: A segregated testing team can’t be highly productive without engaging collaboratively with the development team. When testers assimilate themselves among developers and build a mutually beneficial bond, a healthy team environment is fostered. Developers and testers’ collaboration works in favor of both.

#8) Adopt Agile and engage in pair testing: Take up agile practices, work collaboratively, participate in pair testing, have regular discussions with developers, document less, and provide equal importance and esteem to everyone’s work.

To conclude:

If you regard yourself as a sweeper, you’ll always be a sweeper.
However,
If you perceive yourself as someone aiming to improve the world, working in tandem with trash collectors and strategically aiming to clean up the world, it will unquestionably become a much better place.

About the author: Bhumika Mehta, a member of the STH team, penned this post. Holding the position of project lead, she brings over 7 years of software testing experience to the table.

As always, happy testing. 🙂

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