I’ve been working in software testing for 13 years now, and I figured it’s time to share some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
- Testing Is More Than Just Finding Bugs and Writing Test Cases – It’s about ensuring quality, usability, and performance.
- Automation Won’t Replace Manual Testing – But it will make your job easier if used wisely.
- Understanding the Business Is Key – Knowing your product’s purpose helps test effectively.
- Communication Is Your Superpower – A great tester translates technical issues into business impact. Being able to effectively communicate a bug or an issue with the team is crucial.
- Testing Early Saves Time & Money – Shift-left testing prevents costly fixes later.
- You’ll Never Have Enough Time To Test – Prioritize, strategize, and test what matters most. Take input from the project manager, developer, previous test cases, and bug reports.
- Exploratory Testing Is Gold – Sometimes, real issues are found beyond test cases. Use mindmaps to keep track of your explorations.
- Documentation Is Your Best Friend – A well-documented test case can save projects.
- Developers Are Not Your Enemies – Collaboration leads to better quality software. Use their knowledge for testing and to come up with test scenarios.
- Test Data Management Matters – Bad test data leads to bad test results.
- Security & Performance Testing Are Essential – Functional tests aren’t enough anymore.
- Keep Learning & Adapting – New tools and methodologies emerge constantly. Always keep an open mind and learn new skills and tools.
- Quality Is a Team Effort – Testing isn’t just a phase; it’s a mindset everyone should adopt.
Software testing is my passion, and it was my gateway into the tech industry. I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredibly talented people, and I’m truly grateful for this amazing career. It’s not just what I love—it’s also my livelihood.
