What traits should a tester possess to be successful? How should one acquire those traits?
These questions always lurk at the back of the mind of every tester. While some of the traits are obvious, universally known, and widely accepted, they are several other critical ones that don’t find room for discussion and are highly underrated or taken for granted.
In the article, I attempt to outline 7 of the most underrated traits of an effective tester. Based on my observations, experience, and tête-à-tête with some of the world-class leaders in the field of software testing via conferences, seminars, workshops, and other public platforms; I boiled down on seven critical traits that every tester must possess.
At first glance, you may think that these traits are difficult to acquire but they can be learned and instilled with practice, discipline, and continuous efforts.
I learned about NLQ and NLA from Ajay Balamurugadas and this small habit has made a huge impact on how I approach problems.
Jerry Weinberg’s Rule of Three:
Weinberg’s rule of three can be used as a heuristic to check for all possibilities rather than just stopping at the first one that you come across.
“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
“I've always thought that writing isn't that hard. It's having a good idea that's hard.”
“Communication works for those who work at it.”
4. Recommended Reading: An Introduction to General Systems Thinking by Jerry Weinberg.
“It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so.”
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
“Content without context is noise.”
7. The Key to Getting Started is to Get Started 😊
“The greater the potential for reward in the portfolio, the less risk there is.”
Now that you have read all the seven traits a good tester must have, you have already completed half the work. The second half now involves starting and working towards them. Even if it’s very small, it’s still progress. Even if you get stuck, try altering or seeking help, but don’t give up. Furthermore, the compounding effect also works in the case of self-upgradation. So, good luck and keep compounding your skills. To put it in the words of Albert Einstein, Compound Interest is the eighth wonder of the world. The one who understands it earns it, the one who doesn’t, pays it.
If you’d like a quick glance at all the points covered in my article, you can check out this mindmap / bookmark it:
If you are a visual learner, here is a quick video that highlights the key points from my article:
Rahul is a Jaipurite with a B.Tech. in Computer Science & Engineering. Currently, He is working as a Senior Software Engineer at ifm engineering pvt. ltd., Pune. He is a seeker at heart and is a passionate lover of Indian mythology and Cricket. He is a firm believer of right education and an ardent advocate of open-source mentality. You can check out his latest ebook, “Ultimate Productivity Toolkit” at bit.ly/rpajtoolkit Want to know more, Check out: bit.ly/m/parwalrahul