Can we assure quality? Quality Assurance, what is it today? How we can improve QA and the symbiosis between Software Engineers and QA Engineers

1. Assuring Quality?
itworksonmymachine!

2. Iguessoneshouldhaveoneofthese...
● Started as a general tester due to lack of open positions at the time.
● Have worked with QA and development for about 7 years.
● Have worked in a handful of different industries.
● Knowledge in Programming, scripting, UI/UX, game design, marketing,
psychology and project management.
● Some stuff I love: Games, Science, Traveling, Beer and Lego.
● Some stuff I hate: Developers with hubris (don’t be that person)
● When I grow up I want to be: an adventurer!

3. QAequalsQuality? Assure
əˈʃʊə,əˈʃɔː/
verb gerund or present participle: assuring
to make (something) certain to
happen● Will hiring QA/testers assure quality? Of course not.
● “All my QA people are ISTQB certified”
o ISTQB is old.
o ISTQB is processes.
o Who is the certification helping?
Thereisnomagicformulathatcanassurequality,butteamworkwillgoalongwayinstrivingtowardsit.

4. QAvsQA
A lot of confusion within the QA field for several reasons:
Matching titles and actual work tasks.
Wide range of people with very different background working in QA departments.
Tester : performs manual tests. Works mostly reactively. Blackbox testing. Does not require any technical knowledge.
QA Engineer : automated tests, security tests etc. Works mostly proactively. Whitebox testing. Has a technical background, can read/write code.
Today companies usually stock up on Testers. They are easy to find and cheaper in comparison.
But do companies actually need full time testers? Is it the best way to assure Quality?
QAshouldnotbethesuperusersoftheproduct.Everyoneatthecompanyshouldbeasuperuseroftheproduct!

5. QAvsProgrammers
Programmer - develop product, unit test, manual test.
Programmers should not be the only one testing their stuff, it’s not
their specialty but they need to know the product as a whole and
how it’s being used first hand.
QA Engineer - proactive testing, look at UX and/or game design,
coordinate with external testers. Sign off on releases.
Everyone should use the product and know it.
So why do we talk about QA and programmers?
Communication.
Attitude problem.
Management.
So what can be done?
Teamwork from start to finish.
Everyone strive towards quality.
The solution isn't rocket science, it just demands mutual respect,
awareness, open mindedness and passion.
ManagerscanmakeorbreaktheQA/Programmersymbiosis.
Don’tplantofail!

6. Ifyouwantquality
youneedqualifiedanddedicatedpeople
thatworktogether!
NELLESTEIHLE@GMAIL.COM
I tweet nonsense @dexthedrone