The importance of software quality tester

 

Quality assurance has always been the key to success when releasing a software product. The process helps identify potential risks and provides solutions that can prevent minor slip ups from derailing your project, ensuring positive outcomes for everyone involved. Believe it or not, NASA had to learn how important software quality assurance is the hard way. In fact, it cost them a spacecraft named the Climate Orbiter that originally was sent to Mars to study this particular planet back in 1998. Unfortunately, they lost it on September 23th, 1999 due to a wrong command from Earth which had been done by the engineering team who didn’t convert the measurements that they had inputted into the commands from English units (pound-seconds) into metric standard (Newton-seconds). Such a “silly” mistake was worth USD $125 million as the cost of building the spacecraft alone without any launching and operations cost added up yet.

The event had truly highlighted the importance of software quality testing, reminding us all that thorough tests are the fundamentals to avoiding potential losses from badly written code. Then what does it take to become a perfect “warrantor” for your business? Let’s explore this concept today and uncover what it takes to become aspiring software testers.

The essential skills that every software quality tester must have

Technical Skills

As a specialized profession that deals with the constant evolution of technology, software quality testing demands a continuously elevated standard of expertise. In order to meet this challenge, software quality testers are required to possess a range of advanced technical skills, which include:

Programming Languages: In today’s IT industry, programming languages have become increasingly essential for software quality testers. As popular programming languages like Ruby, Python, Java, and C# continue to gain traction, they allow not only developers but also testers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the software. This facilitates the identification and resolution of bugs, while also enabling testers to suggest enhancements to the user experience, thus promoting optimal software performance.

Front End Skills – HTML, CSS, & JavaScript: In addition to programming languages, proficiency in front-end languages can greatly benefit software quality tester in gaining a comprehensive understanding of their digital products. HTML serves as the foundation of any web page, allowing developers to include images and media. Meanwhile, CSS and JavaScript enhance the visual appeal of web pages, making them more engaging for users. Possessing expertise in front-end languages can be a valuable asset for software quality testers, as it enables them to identify and address issues in the early stages of development. Furthermore, they can investigate issues in greater depth, facilitating clear and accurate communication with developers.

Database Skills: As we navigate the Digital Era, databases are essential components for software, responsible for collecting vital data and business insights. This creates a growing demand for skilled testers with database expertise. As complexity and pace intensify in this realm, software quality testers take center stage, ensuring data quality, security, integrity, and accuracy throughout the development process.

API Testing Skills: Discover the intriguing world of API testing, where software quality tester delve into the complex world of application program interfaces (APIs) to guarantee optimal functionality, ironclad security, and exceptional performance. Equipped with technical skills and proficiency in using cutting-edge tools such as Postman, SoapUI, Katalon, and Studio, these testers ensure seamless API integration. Additionally, experts recommend mastery of APIs REST and SOAP to elevate their testing expertise to unrivaled heights.

Unix / Bash Commands: To be clear, Unix is a multi-user, multitasking operating system that is used to manage computer resources, and Bash is a command-line interpreter that is used to implement commands in Unix. As a software quality tester, unlock the potential of these two to effortlessly install, uninstall applications and access log files, as well as navigating the base code and simplifying scripting test cases.

Soft Skills

A top-notch software quality tester isn’t just defined by their technical prowess; they must also possess a range of soft skills that contribute to their effectiveness. These valuable aptitudes complement their technical abilities, taking their expertise to new heights, such as:

Communication: Software development is a complicated process that needs harmonious coordination among the teams.  Exceptional communication skills are crucial, empowering testers to master the art of listening, inquiring, and reporting while conveying vital information effectively. This mutual understanding fuels high-performance teamwork and paves the way for stellar results.

Test Planning and Strategy: Mastering test planning and strategy involves recognizing software objectives, crafting a comprehensive approach, and devising a well-structured timeline for seamless testing execution. This process goes beyond mere scriptwriting or bug-fixing and demands an all-encompassing perspective, astute problem-solving, and sound decision-making abilities to ensure successful outcomes.

Rational Analysis & Logical Thinking: A strong software quality tester embodies the power of rational and logical thinking, paving the way for precise error identification and insightful foresight. By scrutinizing every aspect, evaluating strengths and weaknesses, and gathering pertinent data, an adept tester emerges with the ultimate solution in hand.

Reporting: It may seem like an insignificant skill, but instead, it offers substantial benefits to software quality testers. By delivering comprehensive, succinct, and compelling reports while maintaining a professional demeanor, these testers can efficiently communicate the precise state of a project to relevant stakeholders, ultimately aiding in well-informed decision-making.