This article gives the history of how I got started in QA. I actively blog and write about QA and have found the Web to be an outstanding source of information.
From Zero to Hero - Networking and Gaining Expertise
One of the best career moves I ever made was taking a management position in QA. This isn't because I was a QA-guru. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I'd been in Software Development my whole career. And though as a developer, my share of testing was expected and required, I can't say I really relished that phase of the cycle. Once I became a software development manager at Sun, realizing that developers aren't always the best testers, I hired a couple of QA people. There wasn't a formal QA organization in IT and so each development team was kind of stuck with whatever testing their team wanted to do, which typically wasn't much. I suppose the VP was impressed that I'd cared enough about quality to spend headcount on dedicated QA professionals, because the next thing I knew he asked me to head up a brand new QA organization. I said, "No way! I know nothing about QA!" Luckily, I had my brain's audio setting on mute, so all my VP saw was a rather blank stare. "You can do this," my inner-Superhero voice told me. "You're a manager. You don't actually have to do the work."
So a reorg took place. I left my familiar role in Software Development to head up this brand new QA organization even though I knew virtually nothing about QA. How in the heck was I supposed to learn? Here's where it got fun.
I started networking with the people who were experts. Even though it was back in the old days of '02 (before anyone Tweeted or wrote stuff on FaceBook walls) there still were online forums and groups. I formed a new QA community at Sun, inviting all those that were practicing QA, and then put out an all points bulletin: "New QA Manager needs HELP!"
Well, the HELP came. Before I knew it, I had pointers to templates, books, articles, and tools. Any time I'd ask a question, there were multiple people that would come to my rescue with a variety of answers and resources. I made friends with these gurus and figured out who had expertise in what specialty. It didn't take long before I'd collected enough information, that I was the one who could come up with the answers when a newbie would pop in. I organized a conference, inviting experts to speak about their area of expertise. I learned from my staff as well -- those brilliant people that were able to apply all this knowledge we were acquiring. I soon became part of this elite crowd, referred to as "QA expert" myself! Even though I had no formal training in QA, my name soon became recognized in QA circles as a "go-to person." I was welcomed for my willingness to learn, collaborate, and connect people. And I was rewarded by having the highest performing team I'd ever managed. This was a big lesson for me. Respect and credibility is acquired not by just what you know, but who you know and how you interact with them. None of us have all the answers! If we think we do, we're less willing to go out and learn. It was because I started out knowing so little that I ended up learning so much. And because the world (especially the world of technology) is always changing, this process is never-ending. Learning is a continual process.
Fast forward to 2009. There are so many ways of finding like-minded people to network with that it can be absolutely overwhelming! I coach people on the use of social networks and I tell them that the first step is to figure out where those like-minded people are hanging out. Look first at the big three social networking tools: LinkedIn, FaceBook, and Twitter. Then I advise them to find a niche-area social network. Some people challenge me, telling me there are no social networks for their particular niche. "You'd be surprised," I counter. "What's your passion?" I once got the answer, "Civil War Reenactment." A google-enhanced minute later, I'd pointed the doubting Thomas to http://www.reenactor.net/. Clearly he'd never checked. It is amazing what's available online. Whether you have questions, answers, or just like to discuss your passion, chances are that there are a lot of other people out in the world that have that passion, too. The Web gives us a huge opportunity to connect with those people. All for free!
"But where do I start?" you ask. First, if you haven't done so already, get an account on LinkedIn. Next use the "Search Groups" function and plug in keywords to find relevant groups. Software Testing and Quality Assurance is a good LinkedIn group to start with, but don't be afraid to narrow your focus. For example, if you're a Quick Test Pro fan, a search for QTP results in 27 groups, with the top one, Test Automation, sporting a hefty 4918 members. That's 4918 people that you can connect with and learn from. As you read some of the discussions and news articles that are posted, you will soon be led to blogs and other resources. It's easy to get distracted as you click link upon link, so my suggestion is to keep a notepad open on your desktop where you can cut, paste, and organize the plethora of great information you'll find. You can find similar groups on FaceBook, and there are plenty of software testers on Twitter to follow. Invariably, you will find specialized communities, such as SoftwareTestingClub -- a place to virtually socialize with people who share your passion. You can exchange advice, have discussions, share resources, and connect with one another, similar to FaceBook, only in this community everyone has a common interest. Once you get to know people, you can add to discussions or start a blog of your own. You will have a ready-made audience amongst your community.
When I got hit with Sun's recent downsizing, I figured I would practice what I preach and find myself a QA social network. But I didn't find just one. I found a lot! And each of these networks has links to tools, people, jobs, books, white papers, blogs, training, and endless additional QA resources. I've been keeping notes in a file that I name "All Things QA" which grows bigger and bigger each day. I've come to realize that it will never be complete because as long as people publish, there will be new content. But the thing that I'm most excited about, above and beyond the content, is that I can actually form relationships with the experts. It's like my new QA manager days all over again, but on a much grander scale. Do I think I'm going to get a job from the networking? I really don't know. But I do know that I'm much more knowledgeable about the latest trends, tools, and leaders in the wide world of QA. And when I do get a job, I have a whole world full of experts to confer with, debate with, and even joke with. And that is exceptionally cool.
Update: In January, 2010, I was hired as the Site Editor for SearchSoftwareQuality.com and ever since have been networking with QA gurus for a living! I now write extensively about QA and won the 2010 best blog award at TechTarget for my blog, Software Quality Insights.
From Zero to Hero - Networking and Gaining Expertise
One of the best career moves I ever made was taking a management position in QA. This isn't because I was a QA-guru. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I'd been in Software Development my whole career. And though as a developer, my share of testing was expected and required, I can't say I really relished that phase of the cycle. Once I became a software development manager at Sun, realizing that developers aren't always the best testers, I hired a couple of QA people. There wasn't a formal QA organization in IT and so each development team was kind of stuck with whatever testing their team wanted to do, which typically wasn't much. I suppose the VP was impressed that I'd cared enough about quality to spend headcount on dedicated QA professionals, because the next thing I knew he asked me to head up a brand new QA organization. I said, "No way! I know nothing about QA!" Luckily, I had my brain's audio setting on mute, so all my VP saw was a rather blank stare. "You can do this," my inner-Superhero voice told me. "You're a manager. You don't actually have to do the work."
So a reorg took place. I left my familiar role in Software Development to head up this brand new QA organization even though I knew virtually nothing about QA. How in the heck was I supposed to learn? Here's where it got fun.
I started networking with the people who were experts. Even though it was back in the old days of '02 (before anyone Tweeted or wrote stuff on FaceBook walls) there still were online forums and groups. I formed a new QA community at Sun, inviting all those that were practicing QA, and then put out an all points bulletin: "New QA Manager needs HELP!"
Well, the HELP came. Before I knew it, I had pointers to templates, books, articles, and tools. Any time I'd ask a question, there were multiple people that would come to my rescue with a variety of answers and resources. I made friends with these gurus and figured out who had expertise in what specialty. It didn't take long before I'd collected enough information, that I was the one who could come up with the answers when a newbie would pop in. I organized a conference, inviting experts to speak about their area of expertise. I learned from my staff as well -- those brilliant people that were able to apply all this knowledge we were acquiring. I soon became part of this elite crowd, referred to as "QA expert" myself! Even though I had no formal training in QA, my name soon became recognized in QA circles as a "go-to person." I was welcomed for my willingness to learn, collaborate, and connect people. And I was rewarded by having the highest performing team I'd ever managed. This was a big lesson for me. Respect and credibility is acquired not by just what you know, but who you know and how you interact with them. None of us have all the answers! If we think we do, we're less willing to go out and learn. It was because I started out knowing so little that I ended up learning so much. And because the world (especially the world of technology) is always changing, this process is never-ending. Learning is a continual process.
Fast forward to 2009. There are so many ways of finding like-minded people to network with that it can be absolutely overwhelming! I coach people on the use of social networks and I tell them that the first step is to figure out where those like-minded people are hanging out. Look first at the big three social networking tools: LinkedIn, FaceBook, and Twitter. Then I advise them to find a niche-area social network. Some people challenge me, telling me there are no social networks for their particular niche. "You'd be surprised," I counter. "What's your passion?" I once got the answer, "Civil War Reenactment." A google-enhanced minute later, I'd pointed the doubting Thomas to http://www.reenactor.net/. Clearly he'd never checked. It is amazing what's available online. Whether you have questions, answers, or just like to discuss your passion, chances are that there are a lot of other people out in the world that have that passion, too. The Web gives us a huge opportunity to connect with those people. All for free!
"But where do I start?" you ask. First, if you haven't done so already, get an account on LinkedIn. Next use the "Search Groups" function and plug in keywords to find relevant groups. Software Testing and Quality Assurance is a good LinkedIn group to start with, but don't be afraid to narrow your focus. For example, if you're a Quick Test Pro fan, a search for QTP results in 27 groups, with the top one, Test Automation, sporting a hefty 4918 members. That's 4918 people that you can connect with and learn from. As you read some of the discussions and news articles that are posted, you will soon be led to blogs and other resources. It's easy to get distracted as you click link upon link, so my suggestion is to keep a notepad open on your desktop where you can cut, paste, and organize the plethora of great information you'll find. You can find similar groups on FaceBook, and there are plenty of software testers on Twitter to follow. Invariably, you will find specialized communities, such as SoftwareTestingClub -- a place to virtually socialize with people who share your passion. You can exchange advice, have discussions, share resources, and connect with one another, similar to FaceBook, only in this community everyone has a common interest. Once you get to know people, you can add to discussions or start a blog of your own. You will have a ready-made audience amongst your community.
When I got hit with Sun's recent downsizing, I figured I would practice what I preach and find myself a QA social network. But I didn't find just one. I found a lot! And each of these networks has links to tools, people, jobs, books, white papers, blogs, training, and endless additional QA resources. I've been keeping notes in a file that I name "All Things QA" which grows bigger and bigger each day. I've come to realize that it will never be complete because as long as people publish, there will be new content. But the thing that I'm most excited about, above and beyond the content, is that I can actually form relationships with the experts. It's like my new QA manager days all over again, but on a much grander scale. Do I think I'm going to get a job from the networking? I really don't know. But I do know that I'm much more knowledgeable about the latest trends, tools, and leaders in the wide world of QA. And when I do get a job, I have a whole world full of experts to confer with, debate with, and even joke with. And that is exceptionally cool.
Update: In January, 2010, I was hired as the Site Editor for SearchSoftwareQuality.com and ever since have been networking with QA gurus for a living! I now write extensively about QA and won the 2010 best blog award at TechTarget for my blog, Software Quality Insights.