Author: Toan Le Topic: Being a software tester is no longer an easy job. It was. More technologies and platforms have emerged, along with more complex applications have been created to serve users’ various expectations while the time to go live is getting much shorter over time. It's not only about desktop or web-based applications but also about mobile, cloud-based applications, IoT and more. It's not only about testing alone anymore. It's about continuous integration and continuous delivery indeed. How to survive and thrive in this Era of New Technology seems to become a critical question for all of us. Being a Full-stack Tester could be an answer, even though we may have different starting points in this career journey. And, the next considerable questions are: what is it and how to get there? My presentation is to give you some ideas to answer those questions through my own experience in the path of pursuing Full-stack Tester.

1. A Journey to become a
Full-stack Tester
Toan Le
SQA@KMS Technology, 2017
A Journey to become a Full-stack Tester
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10/29/2017
Find me at toanle@kms-technology.com

2. Agenda
Let’s test it
Who I am and Who I was
My 6-year journey as a Tester
What a Full-stack Tester is
Why a Full-stack Tester helps
How to become a Full-stack Tester
Message to Manual Testers
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10/29/2017

3. Let’s test it…in 15 minutes!
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4. Let’s take a look back…!
❖Is it a simple function?
❖What have we just tested?
 Functions testing: UI, API?
 Performance testing
 Security testing
 Usability testing
 Compatibility testing
 Reliability testing
❖How much can a tester test it?
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5. About me
Who am I?
➢A Tester
➢Can do:
✓Manual Test
✓Automated Test
✓Performance Test
✓Operations
✓DevOps
✓Development
➢Basically a full-stack tester
A Journey to become a Full-stack Tester
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10/29/2017
Image source: https://www.swissarmy.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Hiker/p/1.4613

6. About me
Who was I 6 years ago?
✓ A bankrupt graduate
✓ A dummy in technology
✓ Knew nothing about professional
software development
✓ Applied for a job of manual tester as it required no
experience and special knowledge
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10/29/2017
Image source: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/business-man-with-debt-vector-1922214

7. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-1: First year as a tester
o Manual testing
o Desktop application
o Test definition
o Troubleshooting
o Test planning
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Image source: http://sircharlescaryinc.com/the-journey/

8. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-2: New Doors
o Basic automated testing: Excel macro
o Testlink DB Migration using PHP
o Test Plan & Strategy
o Web service
o Performance Test: SOAP UI
o ERP (SAP)
• HP LoadRunner
• ABAP Programming
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Image source: http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/walking/mountain-walks/watkin-path

9. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-3: New Home
o Test the automation tool
• qAutomate
• A3
o Automated testing for Web
• XPath
• Selenium
o Test management
o ET, CDT, SBTM
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Image source: http://www.walkupsnowdon.co.uk/places/snowdon-coast-to-coast-challenge/

10. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-4: Darkness and Light
o 6 months on-bench
o ET, CDT, SBTM
o Test management
o Train the freshers
o Start new project:
Automated Testing Services
using Katalon Studio
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Image source: https://thercmmsjournal.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/two-roads-diverged-time-for-a-wise-choice/

11. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-5: Maturity
o Automated test
• Scripting
• Test Framework
o Training
o Sharing
o Learning
• Security Test
• Rapid Software
Testing (James Bach)
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Image source: http://activecities.com/blog/runners-high-get-lifted-exercising/

12. My 6-year journey as a Tester
Year-6: The turn
o Data Migration
o DevOps
o Performance Test
• Monitoring
o Development
o Automated Test
o Manual Test
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Image source: http://jhcblog.juliehuntconsulting.com/2014/04/the-journey-to-insight-and-action.html

13. What a Full-stack Tester is
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Image source: https://techbeacon.com/youve-heard-full-stack-developers-now-meet-full-stack-qa-tester
https://coachcampus.com/coach-portfolios/coaching-models/shubha-rajan-ask/

14. What a Full-stack Tester is
Attitude: can-do personnel, non-stop learner
Skills: Good at both hard skills + soft skills
Knowledge: Knowing various test types and
methodologies and techniques
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15. What a Full-stack Tester is
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Image source: http://www.promocoupons24.com/2016/03/pmp-exam-prep-get-your-project.html

16. Why a Full-stack Tester helps
 For Individuals
➢ More exciting
➢ Remove boredom
➢ Flexibility and Adaptability
➢ More valued
➢ Career growth
 For Organization
➢ Save time of waiting
➢ Eliminate dependency on dedicated personnel
➢ Provide information of quality faster
➢ Take into account various perspectives of testing and quality
➢ Utilize resources better
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17. How to become a Full-stack Tester
Key success factors:
I. Attitude
II. Guidance
III. Continuous Learning
IV. Continuous Practicing
V. Continuous Improvement
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18. How to become a Full-stack Tester
I. Attitude
➢Working
➢Learning
➢Changing
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You change or you die
Image source: http://ideasnotart.com/ideas/

19. How to become a Full-stack Tester
II. Guidance
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Image source: https://www.x-forces.com/mentoring/

20. How to become a Full-stack Tester
III. Continuous Learning
▪ Reading (Heuristic Test Strategy Model - James Bach)
▪ Applying/Trying
▪ Sharing
• Seminar
• Conference
IV. Continuous Practicing
▪ Practice various types of thinking
V. Continuous Improvement
▪ Challenge yourself
▪ Seek for better solutions
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21. Message to Manual Testers
Test Automation is not the only way to go, at
least for now
Playing with tools could be a good alternative
start
Technical job is not the hardest part, changing
your mind is
Must start changing asap
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22. Panel Discussion
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23. Panel Discussion
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24. Appendix A – Types of Thinking
Critical Thinking
Logical thinking
Analytical thinking
Creative thinking
Abstract thinking
Concrete thinking
System thinking
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25. Appendix A – Types of Thinking
Critical Thinking
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Links: https://blog.4tests.com/three-ways-improve-critical-thinking-skills/
http://thepeakperformancecenter.com/educational-learning/thinking/critical-thinking/

26. Appendix A – Types of Thinking
 Critical Thinking involves
 Gathering relevant information
 Evaluating information
 Asking questions
 Assessing bias or unsubstantiated assumptions
 Making inferences from the information and filling in gaps
 Using abstract ideas to interpret information
 Formulating ideas
 Weighing opinions
 Reaching well-reasoned conclusions
 Considering alternative possibilities
 Testing conclusions
 Verifying if evidence/argument support the conclusions
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Links: http://thepeakperformancecenter.com/educational-learning/thinking/critical-thinking/ Go Back

27. RECOMMENDED COURSES
FOR YOUR VERY FIRST STEPS INTO THE IT CAREER
- By Thao Vo, QA Architect @KMS Technology
1. Basics of Computer Science
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/basics_of_computer_science/index.htm
2. Computer Fundamentals
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/index.htm
3. Computer Programming
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_programming/index.htm
4. Data Structures and Algorithms
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/data_structures_algorithms/index.htm
C Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mfGYAqXH00
5. Database Management System
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/dbms/index.htm
6. Operating System
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/operating_system/index.htm
7. Software and Architecture Design
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/software_architecture_design/index.htm
8. Internet Technologies
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/internet_technologies/index.htm
9.Network Theory (If you want to learn security testing later on)
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/network_theory/index.htm