Testers are hiding in the background of every tech company, but remain crucial for high-quality products. But how do you identify the best of the best? Testing is not for everybody, including some testers. To have the best software tester on the team, you need to find one who loves testing and has these five outstanding habits in their repertoire.
Staying organized is not just helpful, but a key factor in becoming a successful software tester. When first starting out software testing, it is important to have all the information needed to test, whether it's the login credentials, the testing environment, or the development operations platform. Keeping the client’s information, testing applications, and boards in a clearly marked and defined place allows you to spend less time searching through the hundreds of files that you will inevitably have on your computer as a tester. Organize everything and have a proper setup before starting with the testing, it will mean that testing has the potential to be uninterrupted leading to efficient work.
Diligence and thoroughness are essential habits for any software tester. It is not enough to just do the work, thought and care has to be put into every step. Take time with the problems and regard every single detail, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem at the time as it can become a later issue. As a software tester, this means clicking every single button imaginable, enabling different combinations, and trying endless scenarios. By creating these habits, it ensures that there is nothing left unchecked when it is time to pass the tickets or launch the product.
Documentation and reporting is everything in software testing. The need to record issues, document them for everyone involved, and communicate is a key principle of testing. It’s necessary to have a good template of how issues or bugs that occur within software development will be documented or reported. Have this template clearly defined and easy to understand from all perspectives and include notes, visuals, and other useful information.
“If you don’t follow procedure and report clearly, then even if you are a great software tester, it doesn't matter” - Cody Sprattmoran, COO of Loop
Patience is a key characteristic of a software tester. There will always be a time where a tester will encounter a problem that will test the limits of their patience. Certain bugs will appear and disappear when you need to document, others will block features that need to be tested. Knowing your patience level for that day and when to step away from your work to clear your head and refresh can help with frustration and stress levels. By stepping away and clearing your mind, you can approach the issue in a new way, one that might lead to better productivity.
Great software testing is impossible without communication. It is vital to be able to productively connect with members of your team, with clients, and developers. Learning how to share information with the relevant parties in a practical manner that does not waste anyone's time is an imperative skill to have and listening to what they are saying as well. Great testers should be able to communicate verbally as well as in writing. It is not advised to write lengthy notes, comments, or emails if possible, keep it concise and to the point so that all parties are informed without having to read through hours of material. Testers should be able to convey their point with ease.
Habits can change depending on the clients and what is needed from the testers. Clearly communicate with the teams, report well, be thorough, and successful software testing is in your future.
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