Due to the increased demand in the IT sector, more and more people are showing interest in the profession of software testing. Taking advantage of this trend, numerous courses advertise to provide marketable skills to their students in a short period. However, it's important to understand that identifying errors is just one aspect of software testing and is not a guarantee that someone will become a good tester.
Analytical thinking
The tasks of testers are not limited to just software testing. During their work, there is a need to delve deeper into the collected data and analyze it in order to gain a more accurate understanding of the behavior of the tested application or product. Analytical thinking plays a critical role in identifying software defects and uncovering their sources. Software testers need to understand why and how errors can occur and how to reproduce them. Remember that there are few errors that can be reproduced.
Furthermore, modern software often consists of complex systems that can be composed of numerous components and modules. Analytical thinking helps software testers understand these systems and their operation. Therefore, analytical skills are crucial for efficient and effective work, as they assist in identifying, understanding, and managing software defects and issues.
Programming knowledge
Certain test cases require repetitive steps from the tester, which can be time-consuming. Such cases have prompted the widespread adoption of test automation, where software testers or developers perform software testing using automated tools and programs. To use this method effectively, proficient testers have at least basic programming knowledge, which is highly beneficial when creating automated test scripts. These skills can assist in better understanding system requirements, uncovering the causes of errors, and managing emerging issues
Creativity
It may come as a surprise, but one of the most important qualities of professional testers is creativity. This manifests in their ability to apply new and unique approaches during testing that others might not even think of. This mindset can help discover defects that would be difficult to detect using conventional methods. Creative testers can imagine and test complex and unusual scenarios where the software's behavior is critical. This can help improve the reliability and performance of the system. They can also assume user cases that are not evident to designers or developers but reflect real user needs. This can enhance the user experience and product quality.
Effective team player
For a professional tester, effective communication with team members is of utmost importance. It is essential to establish common ground with Business Analysts, collaborate efficiently with Test Managers, have harmonious relationships with other testers, and communicate effectively with software developers when necessary. Because if they can motivate the team and collaborate towards common goals, projects become more efficient in terms of time and cost, and they can complete their own tasks more quickly and accurately.
adoption of technological innovations
Experienced and successful testers not only know about the latest trends and software but also actively use them to improve their work. These tools can contribute to the early identification of defects, accelerate testing processes, or even improve test coverage. This is especially important for them because if they can cover different platforms more efficiently, tests become more reliable and comprehensive. One such tool is TestNavigator, which allows elemental testing of Java code from the early stages of development to the release phase. It is noticeable that continuously updating knowledge and adapting to new technologies enable software testers to be more effective in their work and contribute to the creation of high-quality software products.
writing clear test cases
Test cases are a crucial part of software testing processes since team experts rely on displayed information to perform their tasks. Therefore, the efficiency of the entire team depends on creating clear and understandable test cases. Experienced software testers make sure not to create overly long test cases because each additional step increases the likelihood that someone on the team will not be able to execute the task. Experience shows that the optimal length of a test case is between 3 to 8 steps.
In order to become a professional tester, several key characteristics are required. Analytical thinking, programming knowledge, creativity, effective teamwork, and the adoption of technological innovations are all essential. Those who work on developing and applying these skills are more likely to become outstanding professionals in the field and contribute to the creation of high-quality software products.