Next-Generation Software Testers: Broaden or Specialize!

Abstract

Software has become immensely important for today’s society. Despite many quality initiatives, the IT-industry is still far from being able to deliver zero-defect software. In recent years the way software is being developed has changed dramatically in most world regions. In addition to the rapid and dynamic changes currently in the software development arena, there is an increased growth in innovation, new technologies, and expansion of IT throughout most industries. There has been a large shift towards adopting an Agile and/or DevOps way of working. Agile typically provides benefits such as the ability to better manage changing priorities, improved project status visibility, increased team productivity and better delivery predictability. However, many organization are struggling with Agile and scaling Agile, and it has become apparent that moving towards Agile does not automatically also guarantee improved software quality. Testing, although in Agile organized differently compared to traditional organizations, is still and will remain an important part of software development. This is not only due to the importance of software in today’s society, but also due to the many (technical) challenges that IT project are facing, e.g., increasing complexity, new technologies, systems-of-systems, variety of devices and OS’s and security vulnerabilities. What does all of this mean for the software tester, and to the knowledge and skill set that is expected of a tester? This chapter will look in detail at the knowledge and skill set required for a tester to add value and survive in the rapidly changing IT world. Two options will be provided to the tester: • Broaden your skill set and become a so-called T-shaped tester. • Choose a test specialization, but choose this with great care and a vision towards the future.