the ten commandments of a good software tester
TRANSCRIPT
Being a software tester
is a lot like being a
detective
You need meticulous patience
an eye for details
And quite often you will be unappreciated by the people you’re trying to help
The following 10 Commandments are a
tester’s guide to successfully investigating
software issues – whilst retaining your sanity.
1. Don’t trust a developer
It is your responsibility to doubt. A sceptical approach to testing
significantly improves the quality of your
work.
2. Be inquisitive
Be curious about how the application works, how specific functions and modules interact together.
3. Replicate bugs
Replicating bugs may be time consuming,
but by doing so you will save both yours and
your client’s time in the long run.
4. Treat testing as a challenge
Try to approach every new task as a challenge and the opportunity to potentially learn something new
5. Do not argue with the developer. Probably you are right
Anybody can make a mistake.
Understand that the programmer
will naturally want to defend his work
6. Try to outsmart the system
Think of another way to get from A to B
Be creative, and don’t be put off trying something just because it has not
been tried before. Originality brings
success.
7. Stand by your opinions
You are here to find out what is wrong, not to pander to someone else’s misconceptions. If you know that something is wrong, prove it and discuss the problem. Remember, your job is to take care of the quality of the software.
8. Stay organised
Try to systematise your work, be sure to scrupulously describe bugs. If you find bugs, report them immediately and don’t leave them for later.
9. Be proud of your job
Your role as a tester is to ensure high product quality and thus ensure the reputation and prestige of the company.
10. Learn from the experts
Read articles and blogs about testing, learn about new tools, and try to streamline the testing process in your company. Remember that learning is an ongoing process. Don’t dismiss any new information until you have tested it. You work in an exciting field, so enjoy yourself and be a champion.
By going to work with a smile, persevering with your job and learning from every challenge, you can have real fun as a software tester
One more time Remember
1. Don’t trust a developer
2. Be inquisitive 3. Replicate bugs 4. Treat testing as a
challenge 5. Do not argue with
the developer
6. Try to outsmart the system
7. Stand by your opinions
8. Stay organised 9. Be proud of your job 10. Learn from the
experts
It is a great line of work to be in, and it makes a genuine difference to the end-user. So give yourself a pat on the back and keep on
doing what you do best!