September 2022 - QA House

Ask for feedback as a QA engineer

Posted on September 27, 2022September 27, 2022 by BIanca

As a QA engineer, it’s important to always be asking for feedback. Feedback helps us to improve our process and to find areas that need improvement.

Without feedback, we would never know if we’re doing a good job or not. Asking for feedback is the only way to ensure that we’re always improving.

Here are some tips on how to ask for feedback:

Be open to feedback

As a QA Engineer, feedback is essential to our work. It helps us understand what is working well and what needs improvement.

You must be prepared to get the feedback that you have requested. If you’re not, you may be causing yourself harm. Don’t become dismissive while soliciting suggestions and comments. You will send a signal to your reviewer that you are not willing to hear what they have to say.

Because of that, they will hold back in the future, making it more challenging to induce honesty from them. Receiving feedback with an open mind and a positive, embracing attitude should be your primary objective.

Determine the right feedback providers

Going to each person you deal with daily to solicit feedback regarding your performance is ineffective and may send an incorrect message,

Not everyone can give you the type of feedback you are searching for. Consider who has the most engagement with you regularly when deciding who can provide the best constructive feedback.

As a QA engineer, your feedback should come from users, developers, and other QA engineers.

Plan your questions

Keep your goals in mind as you consider the types of questions you would like to request from your feedback providers. What particular questions do you need to request to accomplish your objectives?

If you want to learn to organize your time more effectively, ask questions that elicit feedback on where you can enhance your QA project.

Consider your clear objectives and create questions that will assist you to define and establish a response.

Request feedback in the correct manner

Once it comes time to solicit feedback, you must be ready to accept the responses with an open mind. Reality is determined by perception. As a result, you must be able to comprehend the workplace from their point of view.

Many folks are much more truthful when they are not directly confronted with the scenario. Feedback can be provided in several ways. As long as it is understood that you are seeking honest feedback that will assist you to become a better QA Engineer.

When to ask

You don’t wish to request so many questions that your coworkers get the perception you are needy and insecure. However, you should solicit feedback at a constant rate and during significant events of the project.

How should you request feedback?

While direct face-to-face communication is typically the most efficient method of getting feedback, it may not function for everyone or in every situation.

This is particularly important if your team is geographically dispersed or if you are soliciting feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.

Here are some tips on how to request feedback as a QA engineer:

Online Feedback

Into files

Allows contributors to classify comments, recommendations, modifications, guidelines, and so on straight into files.

You can use Google Docs or Word documents to get instant feedback on a specific project or process.

Onto a Browser

Utilize cooperative feedback tools like Slack or Filestage to enable numerous individuals to provide instant feedback and contributions to project files that you and your team are working on.

Tools like Filestage enable you to insert comments directly into a wide range of files, including audio files, graphics, documents, and others.

Via Email

You can request expert or project feedback by simply sending out an email with the proper questions.

Via a Survey

Utilizing tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform to seek feedback from a diverse group of people about a specific project, process, or service is a nice method to get it.

Through a Project Management tool

Establish a feedback system in a project management tool like Asana or Trello to gather and collate effective feedback from all project stakeholders.

Offline Feedback

With Physical Survey

Surveys are an efficient way to quickly obtain agreement from a group of people, such as your team members, especially if you manage a huge team. It may serve as the foundation for future topics that you and your squad can investigate forward and keep improving upon.

With Conversation

Simply engaging in a discussion with your stakeholders is the best way to obtain the most detailed guidance. Ask open-ended questions to enable them to elaborate on their responses. Also, seek information that evokes a mix of positive and possibly negative replies.

Utilize feedback as a teaching tool

The most inefficient use of time is gathering feedback and then not doing anything with it. Not all feedback will be genuinely reflective of the quality of your effectiveness, a particular project, process, or product.

However, you will observe common patterns across the various feedback sessions which should act as indicators of what particular things should be updated in the future.

Asking and receiving feedback is a skill that takes time to master. The key is to be open to feedback and to view it as an opportunity to improve your skills and work product.

As with anything, practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you will become at asking for and receiving feedback. And, the better you become at receiving feedback, the more productive and effective you will be as a QA engineer.

Read about “Feedback for QA testers” too

QA Engineer vs Test Engineer

Posted on September 27, 2022September 27, 2022 by BIanca

QA Engineer vs Test Engineer, those two roles have the same goal, and that’s it to make sure that the products works properly and it meets the customer requirements.

When it comes to software development, there are a few key positions that are essential to the process. Two of these positions are the QA Engineer and the Test Engineer.

While these positions may seem similar, there are a few key differences.

Read about “QA analyst vs QA Tester”

QA Engineer vs Test Engineer Differences

QA Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality of the software product. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the software meets all requirements and is free of defects.

When the product reaches the production stage, he/she will make an entry to ensure that it is being designed by the specifications specified by the client.

Rather than being involved directly with testing, they frequently performs closer to the production end of the business, writing inspection procedures and auditing the process on the production floor.

Because QA Engineers lack a specialized degree for this position, their possibilities are limited to quality checks and quality control. However, a QA Engineer can advance to positions such as Quality Assurance Manager or Director of Quality Control.

In large organizations, a QA Engineer can advance to a high-level management position implicated in the quality of an entire product line.

A QA Engineer will…

Investigate and improve the processes and products
Be present all through the product’s lifecycle
Provide a positive customer experience

QA Engineer Salary

In the US, the average salary of a QA Engineer is $97,110. The average additional cash compensation is $9,137.

This will make an average total compensation in the US $106,247.

Test Engineer

A Test Engineer creates test methods and undertakes evaluations to decide the performance of a product. This can happen during the design of the production stages.

When tasked with testing a specific product, he/she will test different aspects of the product to determine which method produces the best results.

They may advance to other engineering positions such as Application Engineering, Design Engineering, or Engineering management.

Based on the company and the his or hers achievement, this role may be promoted to a senior-level position or assigned to a leadership role. In this role, he will represent and handle other engineers.

A Test Engineer will…

Investigate code modules
Be typically active after the coding cycle
Detect software bugs

Test Engineer Salary

The estimated average salary in the US for a Test Engineer is $80,655. The average additional cash compensation is $4,930.

This will make an average total compensation in the US $85,655.

So, what is your choice?

In a software company, your title does not always describe your job duties. When a Test Engineer tests a product, it is his responsibility to satisfy the customer. so he is automatically in the shoes of a QA Engineer.

Even as a Test Engineer, you want the client to have a positive experience when using the product. And so, you take steps to make it the greatest product on the market.

Think further than the job title and past the horizon. Having flexible roles will be beneficial in the long run.

QA apps for managing

Posted on September 26, 2022October 28, 2022 by BIanca

There are many QA apps for managing available that can help with managing a software development project. These apps can help with things like tracking bugs, managing feature requests and organizing your project’s roadmap.

Having a good QA app can help make your project run more smoothly and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

Some of the best quality assurance apps include TestRail, Zephyr, and Xray. These apps can help you manage your testing process from start to finish, and provide you with all the tools you need to ensure quality.

The Benefits of Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a process that helps to ensure that products and services meet the highest possible standards. There are many benefits to implementing quality assurance, including improved product quality, increased customer satisfaction, and reduced costs.

Quality assurance tools and techniques

There are several different QA tools and techniques that can be used to support the quality assurance process. Some of the best quality assurance apps include Jira, TestRail, and Zephyr. These tools can help you manage your quality assurance process and ensure that your products and services meet the highest possible standards.

1. Jira

Jira is a popular quality assurance tool that can help you manage your QA process effectively. It offers a wide range of features and integrations that can make your life easier, and it has strong community backing that can offer support and advice when needed.

2. TestRail

TestRail is a quality assurance tool that helps you manage your QA process. It provides a centralized repository for test cases, a flexible workflow for managing testing, and comprehensive reporting tools. It makes it easy to track and manage your QA process, and provides the data you need to make informed decisions about your product quality.

3. TestLodge

TestLodge is one of the best QA apps to help you manage your quality assurance process. It allows you to create and manage your test cases, track your testing progress, and collaborate with your team. It also has a great reporting feature that allows you to see your testing at a glance.

4. Test Collab

With Test Collab, you can manage your test cases, requirements, and bugs all in one place. You can also track your testing progress and generate reports to share with your team. Test Collab is a great tool for any team looking to improve its quality assurance process.

5. Xray

The Xray QA app is a powerful quality assurance tool that helps businesses to improve their products and services. It also provides a range of features that allow businesses to track and monitor their quality assurance process.

The app also includes a range of reports and tools that businesses can use to improve their QA process.

6. qTest

qTetst is a quality assurance app that helps developers and testers identify and track defects in their software. The app provides a central repository for all your testing assets, including cases, requirements, and test results. It also includes powerful tools for collaboration, reporting, and defect management.

7. Zephyr

Zephyr QA is a quality assurance app that helps businesses improve their products and services. It does this by providing users with a platform to track quality assurance issues, as well as tools to help resolve them.

By using Zephyr QA, businesses can ensure that their products and services meet the highest standards of quality. Additionally, the app can help businesses save time and money by identifying and resolving quality assurance before they become problems.

QA apps can be extremely helpful in managing a business. They can help to streamline processes, improve communication, and track progress. However, it is important to choose the right app for your needs.

There are a variety of QA apps on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. With the right app, you can take your business to the next level.

Check out our article “QA test case management tools” too

QA and testing difference

Posted on September 23, 2022October 28, 2022 by BIanca

QA and testing are two important aspects of software development. Both ensure that the software meets the required quality levels. However, there are some key differences between QA and testing.

It focuses on the process of developing and maintaining software, while testing focuses on assessing the quality of the software.

Testing is typically done by executing the software against a set of test cases, while QA includes activities like requirements analysis, design, coding, and configuration management.

Let’s take a closer look at both of them:

Quality Assurance (QA): What it is

Quality Assurance is a process or set of procedures intended to ensure that a product or service meets certain quality standards. It is often associated with manufacturing but can be applied to any type of business or service.

QA is important because it helps to ensure that the products and services meet the needs of customers or clients. It can also help to improve the overall efficiency of a business or organization.

QA testing definition

The benefits of QA

Quality assurance can be particularly beneficial to a business in the following situations:

Before launching a new product or service

This can help to prevent the introduction of products or services that will cause the company to lose money or gain negative customer feedback.

When there is a need to reduce costs

Quality assurance can identify and eliminate waste and unnecessary costs.

When there is a need to improve or expand services

A quality assurance program can help a company to explore new opportunities and reach new markets.

To guard against product or service defects

QA programs can prevent problems before they arise and mitigate the effects of any issues that occur.

To guard against safety or health issues

It can identify and address any issues that could harm customers or employees.

To increase the marketability of a business or organization’s products or services

Quality assurance can help to enhance the reputation of a business with customers, potential investors, and other organizations.

To attract and retain employees

A well-run quality assurance program can help keep talented workers happy and encourage them to stay with the organization.

To meet regulatory or legal requirements

Quality assurance programs can help to ensure that the organization meets the requirements of such regulations as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

What are the methods of quality assurance?

There are many methods of quality assurance, but the most important thing is to make sure that the products and services meet customer expectations.

Quality assurance can be done through various means, such as inspections, testing, and audits. By ensuring that products and services are of the highest quality, businesses can maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Testing: What it is

When it comes to software development, testing is an essential process that helps to ensure the quality of the end product. Testing can be done at various stages of the development process, and it generally involves running the software through a series of tests to check for bugs or other errors.

While it can be time-consuming it’s important to do it thoroughly to avoid releasing a buggy or unstable product. This is why many developers use automated testing tools to help streamline the process.

What is a test?

A test is an assessment of something, typically carried out to determine its suitability, quality, or performance. Testing is an important part of the development process for any product, as it can help to identify any issues or potential problems that need to be addressed.

Many different types of tests can be carried out, depending on the purpose of the testing. For example, a functional test may be carried out to ensure that a product works as intended, while a usability test may be carried out to assess how easy it is to use.

The benefits of testing

There are many benefits to getting your software testing. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can help identify bugs and other issues that need to be fixed.

This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as you can avoid release delays and expensive post-release fixes.

Another benefit of testing is that it can help ensure the quality of your software. This is especially important if you are releasing a new product or feature, as you want to make sure it meets your users’ expectations.

Testing can also help improve the usability of your software, as tests can provide valuable feedback on how to make it more user-friendly.

Furthermore, testing can help to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. And last but not least, properly conducted testing can improve the overall user experience of your software, which can lead to positive customer experiences and better brand visibility.

In conclusion, QA and testing are both important processes in software development. However, they are two distinct disciplines that require different skill sets.

Quality assurance is more concerned with the overall process of development and ensuring that the best practices are followed.

Testing is more focused on verifying that the software meets the requirements. Both play an important role in ensuring that software is of high quality.

QA tester tasks – 8 essential tasks for every QA tester

Posted on September 14, 2022October 28, 2022 by BIanca

A QA tester is responsible for quality assurance within a company. In this article we will discus some of the QA tester tasks.

Generally QA testers test products and software to ensure that they meet the required standards. QA testers may also be responsible for creating and maintaining test plans, as well as writing and executing test cases. To be successful in this role, one must have strong attention to detail and be able to work well under pressure.

1. Test design

Test design involves planning how you are going to test a product. Depending on the product or software, this can range from very quick and simple to extremely complex.

For example, if you were testing a video game, you would first need to figure out what functions the game has, how the player interacts with it, and what the expected outcomes are. This would be the function of the game. You would then need to figure out how to simulate player inputs and outputs, thus allowing you to determine whether the game is functioning properly about the expected outcomes.

This, however, is only a fraction of the complexity involved in test design. Depending on the industry you work in and the level of quality expected, your test design may range from simple test cases for a web app to complex proof-of-concept designs for medical devices.

2. Requirements gathering

Before you can begin creating and executing test cases, you will need to gather requirements. Those may come from various sources, including:

The customer or client
The developer or programming team QA, if there is already a version of the product available

3. Test planning

Once you have all the requirements, you will need to plan how you are going to test the product. This will include defining the goals of the testing, as well as the features or functions you plan on testing.

4. Test case development

Once you have planned the testing, you will need to develop the test cases. A test case will be a set of instructions or procedures for how to exercise a feature or functionality of the product to verify if it’s working as expected.

5. Test execution

For each test case you’ve developed, you will need to execute it. This is where the tester will find out if the product is behaving as expected. Depending on the product and your role, you may need to either fix or report any bugs or issues you encounter.

6. Defect management

Once you’ve found bugs or issues in the product, you’ll need to track and manage them. This includes assigning bugs to developers, as well as updating them as they go through various states, such as verification, confirmation, and closure.

7. Reporting

In addition to the above, you will also need to report your findings and results to the customer, developer, or team responsible for the product you’re testing.

8. Process improvements

Even after you’ve finished testing one project, your testing skills and abilities can continue to improve if you find ways to improve the testing process itself. This can include things like introducing automation or changing the way you work as a team.

Overall, QA tester tasks are an important role in the software development process. QA testers are responsible for ensuring that the software meets all the requirements and works as expected. They also play a vital role in identifying and reporting any bugs or issues. QA testers need to have strong attention to detail and be able to work methodically. If you think you have what it takes to be a QA tester, don’t hesitate to apply for the role.

QA testing definition

Posted on September 2, 2022October 28, 2022 by BIanca

There are many people there who want a clear QA testing definition. If there is a distinction to be made between QA and testing. In this article, we will talk about QA testing definition and for a better understanding of the subject.

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance, or QA for short, is the process of ensuring that products meet certain standards of quality. QA testing is a key part of this process and involves putting products through a series of tests to check for things like functionality, durability, and usability.

QA teams work to identify and fix any issues that might arise during testing, to ensure that products meet the required standards before they reach consumers.

Quality assurance is an important part of the manufacturing process, as it helps to ensure that products meet the necessary standards of quality. QA testing is a vital process and helps to identify any potential issues with products before they reach consumers.

By working to fix these issues, QA teams truly render a service to consumers by ensuring that the product that reaches them is in the highest possible way.

What is Quality Assurance Testing?

You can use quality assurance testing as a process to ensure that a product or service meets the specified quality standards. An independent third party or an organization that is responsible for developing the product or service can perform quality assurance.

It is typically performed throughout the development process, and it may include various types of testing, such as functional testing, performance testing, and security testing.

What are the benefits of QA Testing?

There are many benefits of quality assurance testing, but the three most important benefits are:

Improve the quality of your product

It assists you in detecting defects early and preventing them before you release a product or service. This helps to improve the overall quality of your product and can save you money in the long run.

It can help you find and fix defects before your customers do

Finding and fixing defects before your customers do will help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as reduce customer support costs.

It will improve customer satisfaction

By providing a more reliable and high-quality product you can improve customer satisfaction. This can lead to a more improved brand.

What are the key components of QA testing?

There are four key components of quality assurance testing:

Planning is the process of identifying the goals and objectives of the testing process.

Control is the process of ensuring that the testing process is carried out according to the plan.

Implementation is the actual execution testing process.

Monitoring is the process of tracking the progress of the testing process and ensuring that it is on track.

What are the types of QA testing?

There are many different types of quality assurance testing, each with its specific purpose.

Some of the most common types of QA testing include:

Functional Testing

Assesses the basic functionality of the software to ensure that it is working as expected.

Performance Testing

Measures the speed and responsiveness of the software under various conditions.

Load Testing

Assesses how well the software can handle high volumes of traffic and data.

Regression Testing

Is performed after changes have been made to the software to ensure that no new bugs have been introduced.

Compatibility Testing

Assesses how well the software works with different operating systems, browsers, and devices.

So, in summary, QA testing is an important process that helps ensure the quality of a product or service. It can be conducted by an external company or by an internal team, and it should be based on a clear set of specifications. The aim of QA testing is to find and report defects so that they can be fixed before the product or service is released to the public.

Feedback for QA testers

Posted on September 1, 2022October 28, 2022 by BIanca

It is critical to provide feedback for QA testers during the process of software development. You can assist make sure that the software meets your requirements and is of high quality by giving feedback. When providing feedback to QA, keep the following points in mind:

Be sure to provide concise and clear feedback.
Give specific examples of what you liked and disliked.
Attempt to provide productive feedback that will assist the software improvement.
Be open to receiving feedback from QA.

What You Should Know About QA Feedback

To enhance the utilization of your QA solution, you must be aware of the types of feedback it provides. There are two types of feedback in a typical feedback system: question-based feedback and action-based feedback.

Question-based feedback refers to responses given by a company to particular questions. You could provide feedback on the questions raised during your evaluation of a test plan.

The feedback that refers to an agent’s actions to their actions is known as actions-based feedback.

It is important to identify who or what you are giving feedback to when giving feedback. As a consequence, you’ll have less time to process the feedback.

It is also critical to provide feedback compassionately and productively. It is preferable to provide constructive criticism to receive feedback that will be beneficial in the future.

How To Show Your Appreciation with Feedback for QA Testers?

There are several ways to express gratitude to a QA tester. One example of them would be quality guardians. Your software product would most likely be riddled with errors if they failed to pay attention to detail and dedicate themselves to bug tracking.

Another way to respect QA testers is to consider them your supporters. They are the ones who are constantly battling to improve your software and assist you in avoiding release tragedies.

Quality assurance staff are expected to be proud of their work. All work, no matter how minor, should be completed to the highest standard possible. To become a good leader, you must merge your skills with your motivation to know and give something that you are proud of.

The Significance of a Good Quality Assurance Team

QA teams are driven by a sense of accomplishment in their job and are expected to adhere to high-quality standards. They should be doing everything possible to make sure that every piece of work, regardless of size, is completed to a high standard.

Weekly or monthly meetings are great for keeping track of accomplishments and team improvement, as well as recognizing top performers and allocating projects or tasks premised on skills and/or interests.

How to Provide Feedback to a Quality Assurance Engineer

It can be difficult to provide feedback to a QA Engineer. On the one hand, you would like to be clear and specific so they can know your feedback and apply it to their task. However, you should not be too critical or negative, as this may dissuade them from striving to improve.

It is essential to share feedback, both positively and negatively, periodically to be constant. If you only receive the feedback in a team setting, you could perhaps request additional feedback.

Quality assurance is an excellent method for assessing how well a customer service department manages and controls an issue and offers service overall.

Avoid using text-based communication methods

Even though they may seem to be a much easier way to provide feedback, using text-based communication methods, can be deceptive. The employee may misinterpret your message, giving rise to more problems than fixes.

As a result, avoid using deceptive communication methods when providing feedback to your engineers. One-on-one communication is the wiser choice. If you have a remote team, you can encounter one-on-one using a videoconferencing tool like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or any favored software.

Why is it a better choice to use video communication than text-based communication?

It prevents miscommunication
When you encounter the employee face to face, you can construct a personal connection
You can identify how your message is being accepted by picking up on verbal and nonverbal cues such as body language.

Is essential to carefully plan your feedback

All fruitful pursuits are built on meticulous planning. You are doing planning if it is about starting a business, organizing a trip, or maybe throwing a surprise party

The same is true when providing feedback to your QA engineer. Admittedly, the employee will assume you to be prepared for the one-on-one meeting.

Here are a few preparations suggestions:

If you don’t have one-on-one meetings regularly, ask the engineer if there is any free time for a conversation. This will let the individual know that feedback is on its way. You are also giving the employee the option to accept or decline your invitation to speak.
Schedule a meeting.
Ascertain that you are in a quiet room or a location that allows you to have a concentrated conversation.
Make a list of what you want to say if you think it will help you.
Communicate with the engineer in a considerate, reasonable, and understanding manner. Strive to reach a common understanding and perspective on the issue, and communicate possible solutions.
Consider the engineer’s view of the situation. Perhaps you will discover a broken process. This will assist you in resolving the issue and, as a result, enhance the overall efficiency of your team.

Be precise, not vague

A more effective way to give effective feedback is to transform hazy sentences into more precise ones. Giving QA Engineers detailed feedback will assist them in determining which characteristics are suitable or inappropriate for good achievement.

When you provide detailed feedback, you are informing your employee what they are doing well and where they need to improve. In the long term, this can result in improved performance, as opposed to less detailed guidance that simply informs employees of their quality level.

Finish with a question

Plan to end your feedback with a question that invites conversation. This is when the most important part of the debate starts.

The discussion is no longer a monologue from this point forward, but rather a change for you and the QA Engineer to provide potential solutions to the issues.

How to describe a QA Engineer?

A QA Engineer’s mission is to identify and fix bugs in a good or service or program before it can be released, and he or she works with developers to make the necessary changes.

QA engineers usually enjoy the chance to learn more about a product’s features and technologies to boost its quality. Some people believe that quality assurance (QA) work is more varied and interesting than developer work. The majority of the time, the job is repetitive, particularly at the beginning.

Build Trust with Constructive Feedback for QA Testers

Constructive feedback promotes trust between groups or individuals by providing honest and precise feedback to assist the other person or party in improving. This feedback can be hard to give at times, but keep in mind that the aim is to assist the other person or group, not to harm them.

Feedback is among the most basic ways we can take and give constructive feedback. Asking for feedback from your staff and coworkers can assist you in establishing trust with them. You can recognize blind spots and areas that need improvement after obtaining thoughtful, honest feedback. You would almost definitely be needed to mention faults or deficiencies when providing feedback. It is critical to allow enough time to prepare to create helpful and compelling content.

Conclusion

Quality assurance testing is vital for the success of any software development project. QA testers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of the software and their feedback is essential for the development team to improve the software. The tips in this article will help you to provide useful and constructive feedback to the QA testers team so that they can continue to improve the quality of the software.

Read about “Ask for feedback as a QA engineer” too