New software testing skills you must have

In today’s changing IT environment, a software tester has become more of a tools-smith, who fine-tunes as things move along 

There is no denying that the role of the software tester is evolving today. The number of testing resources required to address any given challenge has decreased primarily due to two key factors:

• Agile Development techniques that integrate test automation into the development process

• Mature Test Automation tools that simplify test creation, automation and execution

“However in all cases the need for testing in itself has not decreased,’’ says Mrinalini Chandok, HR head IT & Telecom, Winfo Technologies. “It is just that the responsibility has shifted to either development (like in the case of test-driven development) or functional test automation. Thus as separate automation implementation programs the software tester has become more a test designer, test engineer, test manager or a tools-smith, who fine-tunes as things move along.’’

The mind-set that testing is a job meant for those with lesser analytical and problem-solving skills, is fast changing across the industry.

“How effective is the testing in an IT organisation has major implications on the market success of a product or application. The accuracy with which the tester can predict and emulate end-user behavior provides critical developmental feedback which act as an early warning indicator in the developmental cycle even today,” says Amrinder Singh, HR consultant and lead consultant and adviser for several IT companies.

So what are some of the essential skills that the software tester needs to have in today’s changing IT environment?

• Ability to envisage abstract ideas

“An analytical and logical thinking mind alone is not enough,” says Chandok. “What we look for today is the candidates’ ability to envisage real-time business situations through mental mapping; and the ability to plan forward.’’

• A “glocal” approach to solutions

System design involves multiple stakeholders thus the ability to deal effectively with business situations marked by complexities and innumerable interactions with third-party systems is essential.

“It is the tester’s responsibility to identify how the system interacts with other constituents within the system as well as with the external factors. To be able to isolate the minute units of the application under test and validate, keeping in mind the behavior of the system as a whole is thus key,’’ says Singh. “This is the global + local, the `glocal approach’ that is a must.’’

• Ability to apply fundamental knowledge to  contextual information and expert insight

“Even a tester with a couple of years experience is expected to be able to use fundamental communication, mathematical and software application skills for practical situations and address the problem,” says Singh.

Thus a thorough plan needs to be in place before work begins with a test strategy, levels of testing, pass/fail criteria and the schedule.

“Testers today need to be risk takers with a willingness to fail,” says Singh. “Judgment calls are made based on past experience and individual & team understanding. If they consistently adopt a safe path, the chances of up-skilling actually reduce.”

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