Building a Solid Test Team Having a solid software testing team is a crucial component of development. More than a third of developers don’t think their companies…
Having a solid software testing team is a crucial component of development. In the US alone, software quality issues cost companies an estimated $2.41 trillion in 2022.
This highlights the importance of hiring software testers who know what needs to be tested and when, thus reducing the number of software bugs at launch.
If your company is looking for software testers, there are certain characteristics to look for in candidates. Here are seven skills that highly effective software testers possess.
7 Critical Skills for Software QA Testers
1. Technical Skills
Firstly, testers need to be technologically savvy. Because these people are evaluating software, they need to have a comprehensive understanding of how that product is supposed to work.
Testers with technical skills, such as knowledge of programming languages, troubleshooting, and more, can better communicate with developers when there are problems and clearly explain why and how the technology is malfunctioning. Software testers must also know which tests to perform manually and which tests to automate at each point in development. They must also be able to constantly run tests with the appropriate quality control tools.
Testers must also have domain knowledge to fully understand how the end user will use the program or application. Additionally, they must know the terminology to describe a problem accurately. Depending on the type of testing performed, software testers will also need to learn other technical skills.
2. Curiosity
Curiosity is an absolutely necessary trait for software testers. It's vital to hire someone who can think outside the box and look for problems where other team members wouldn't even think to look. They need to be curious about the software and want to explore its details.
A high-performance software tester looks for new ways to solve problems, considers non-ideal situations and how to resolve them, and always takes environmental conditions into account.
3. Analytical Thinking
Analytical thinking involves being able to evaluate software and consider its different angles.
High-performance software testers can analyze the data collected in the testing process and evaluate the best path forward. Analytical thinkers create intelligent testing solutions through thoughtful feedback from customers and developers. Additionally, a good software tester will enjoy evaluating other people's work to produce a high-quality product.
4. Communication
One of the most important interpersonal skills any technology professional needs to have is communication. This is important for working as a team and with stakeholders.
In particular, software testers need to communicate with developers, project managers, customers and executives, often under stressful circumstances. These individuals must communicate verbally and in writing with highly technical and non-technical people, listening to their concerns and addressing them appropriately. They should also be able to translate technical issues into language understandable to laypeople. A software tester who can do all this is a strong team player.
5. Reports
Testers are constantly compiling reports before, during, and after the development process. They involve tracking project status, logging bugs, and noting which tests were performed and when. They also write the test conditions, the steps that must be taken, and the results.
All such tests must be clear, coherent, and readable for technical and non-technical readers. Good testers report effectively and efficiently, using proper documentation.
6. Risk assessment capacity
Software testers who can assess risks are in high demand. Individuals who can identify risk, analyze it, and take steps to alleviate it can improve productivity and overall product quality. Since so much of the testing process relies on risk mitigation, it is crucial to have someone with this skill. After all, it is important that these professionals have common sense, as the entire life cycle and software development process involves taking risks.
7. Time management
Development teams constantly deal with time constraints and pressure to deliver products quickly. Therefore, a software tester must be able to manage his time effectively.
Someone who can prioritize tasks, automate other aspects of testing, and keep the team on track will certainly help improve the development process and productivity.
Valuable Skills, Valuable Knowledge: The Keys to an Effective Software Tester
Most highly effective software testers possess these skills, which is why companies value them so highly. When hiring, ask about these qualities to find a software tester who can improve internal processes.
