The Value of a QA Tester Career: Insights and Challenges
For most individuals, a career in QA testing is not a primary goal. It often serves as a stepping stone into the IT field, primarily for those without formal training or experience. In fact, in my experience, non-IT testers were frequently employed for up to two-thirds of the testing in most projects I managed. It requires relatively low skills and can be a gateway for those looking to enter the IT arena. However, it is not typically considered a core IT role.
Where QA Testing Fits in the IT Career Landscape
There are other career fields more directly related to QA, such as Quality Assurance Engineers. A career as a QA tester is more suitable for a self-selected few who enjoy a specific set of activities and personality traits.
Personality Traits of a Successful QA Tester
If you are drawn to finding and resolving defects, whether through creative or mechanical means, a career in QA testing might be a good fit for you. You thrive in environments where you can communicate technical issues in a polite and professional manner, turning critical feedback into actionable insights.
The Role of the QA Tester
As a QA tester, you build up a comprehensive catalog of defect types, which can help in identifying recurring issues. Depending on the organization, you may also develop a catalog of sources of defects, such as patterns of work that lead to defects or specific types of bugs like off-by-one errors and boundary conditions. Your investigative skills and deep understanding of the product or system can be invaluable in tracing intermittent bugs back to their root causes.
A Personal Example
In the early 1970s, I encountered an intermittent defect in a particular system. Over two decades later, a similar issue arose in a different environment. Upon inquiry, the client mentioned a related problem and I suggested a specific investigation into error handling. This turned out to be the solution, showcasing the value of deep technical insight in solving complex issues.
Black Box Strategy
One of the key skills a QA tester must develop is a deep black-box strategy. When faced with a defect, you should imagine what well-meaning but mistaken developers might misunderstand and do to cause the observed symptoms. Advising developers to check for such issues can lead to significant problem resolution. Over time, if your suggestions consistently point to the source of the problem, you might be dubbed a "wizard," "prophet," "seer," "oracle," or even "X-Ray vision."
Disadvantages of a QA Tester Career
While the role of a QA tester offers unique opportunities, it is not without its challenges. Employers often see QA testers as a temporary assignment, making it difficult to build a long-term career. Even highly skilled QA testers may find themselves stuck in the role if the company continues to value their expertise.
On the upside, you occasionally get appreciation or bonuses for finding defects, especially if the issue has been lingering for a long time. However, if the products or systems you test are already of high quality, you may be considered unnecessary, which can be demoralizing.
It’s also important to note that if you are the QA tester examining new items, such as the MM candies in a factory, it is unwise to throw out any issues you find. Every defect discovered, no matter how minor, can provide valuable feedback for future improvement.
Conclusion
A career as a QA tester is not for everyone. It requires a specific set of skills, an ability to view technical problems from a unique perspective, and the ability to communicate effectively. While it can be a valuable stepping stone into the IT world, it is often not seen as a core IT role. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy the challenge of finding and resolving defects, it can be a rewarding career.