Welcome back to the “Testing for Beginners” series! Today, we are looking into a topic that gets overlooked but is essential for your success as a tester: Working effectively with development teams. Understanding how to navigate relationships with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders can significantly impact the quality of the project and your satisfaction on the job.
Navigating Developer Relationships
Varied Skill Levels
As a tester, you’ll inevitably work with developers of various skill levels. Some may produce awesome code with very few defects, while others may dump code into QA riddled with bugs. The key here is to approach each developer as an individual and adapt your communication style accordingly. From my experience, talk to your manager about the latter ones.
The Pushback and the Thank-You
Finding bugs is part of your job, but not all developers take kindly to their mistakes being pointed out. Some may push back, questioning the validity of the issue you’ve raised, even if you show them the requirements. On the flip side, some developers will express gratitude, thankful for your keen eye that’s helping improve the project.
Perception of Testers
While some developers may view testers as lesser contributors to a project, others understand the critical role that quality assurance plays. Regardless of their viewpoint, remember that you bring a unique skill set to the table. In order to possibly change their perspective of you as a tester, do your job dutifully, and get good at what you do.
Gaining Confidence in Testing
Know Your Stuff
Confidence in your role comes from knowing what you’re doing. Make it a point to be well-versed in various testing methodologies and tools. Practice new things at home.
It’s Okay to be Wrong
Nobody’s perfect. Even if you make an error in your testing, it’s important not to dwell too much on it. However, consistent mistakes could undermine your credibility. Aim for perfection and come up just a little short of that.
Learn Development Basics
Getting a basic grasp of development can bridge the communication gap with developers. For instance, understanding code structures or databases can help you better articulate issues, making it easier to work together to troubleshoot bugs—especially the ones that are hard to reproduce.
Becoming a Confident Tester
Being confident in your testing role can greatly impact how effectively you work with developers. Early in my career, I quickly realized that confidence came from competence. Therefore, I invested time in learning about coding, which allowed me to better communicate with the development team. It didn’t make me a developer, and that was never my goal, but it provided me with enough knowledge to assist in understanding where issues might be, and even assist them in troubleshooting bugs.
Conclusion
Working with development teams requires both skill and diplomacy. By understanding the diversity in developers’ skill levels and attitudes, you can tailor your approach for more effective communication. And by boosting your own skills and confidence, you not only elevate your own role but also contribute more meaningfully to the team and project. Remember, quality assurance is a team effort, and you’re an invaluable part of it.