Category: Career Development

Where Was QA? The Silent Heroes Behind Every Smooth Release

If a bug is found after release → “Where was QA?” 😤
If the release goes smoothly → Silence. 😶

Sound familiar?

This common industry refrain perfectly captures the quiet, often overlooked role of Quality Assurance (QA) in software development. QA professionals are the safety net no one sees—until something slips. We are the last line of defense, but never the only line of responsibility.

Yet despite our critical role, recognition is rarely part of the job description.

The Misunderstood Role of QA

Many view QA as the team that just “finds bugs.” But in reality, QA is deeply involved in:

  • Writing comprehensive test cases
  • Conducting regression testing until the early hours
  • Analyzing edge cases that most ignore
  • Facilitating constant communication with developers, PMs, and stakeholders
  • Preventing issues, not just detecting them

A bug-free release isn’t magic—it’s meticulous work. And often, it’s the result of invisible efforts that begin the moment development starts and end well after the product is live.

Shared Responsibility, Not Scapegoating

When a post-release issue surfaces, it’s easy to point fingers at QA. But the truth is: quality is everyone’s job. From design and development to deployment, every team contributes to the final outcome.

If the only time QA is acknowledged is during failure, we miss an opportunity to foster a healthier, more accountable culture.

Celebrate Success, Don’t Just Blame Failure

So here’s a radical idea for your next smooth release:

✅ No bugs? Thank your QA team.
✅ Seamless user experience? Acknowledge the hours of testing that made it possible.
✅ Peaceful deployment? Appreciate the questions QA asked that no one else thought of.

QA might not always be visible, but our work is behind every stable, successful product you ship.

Final Thought

Next time you’re tempted to ask “Where was QA?”, also ask:
“Did I thank them when nothing went wrong?”

Because if you’re not blaming QA for the bugs, you should be thanking them when there are none.

What Are Self-Healing Test Scripts?

In the world of software testing, automation has become essential. But even automated tests can break—especially when small changes happen in the application’s code or design. This is where self-healing test scripts come in.

If you’re new to software testing, don’t worry. This blog will explain self-healing test scripts in the simplest way possible.

🔍 What Is a Test Script?

Before we understand self-healing, let’s cover the basics.

A test script is a set of instructions written in a programming or scripting language that tells an automation tool (like Selenium) what to do. For example, it can click a login button, type a username, or check if a page is loading correctly.

🚨 What Is the Problem With Traditional Test Scripts?

Let’s say your test script clicks a button on a webpage. It works perfectly. But the next day, the developer changes the button’s name or moves it to a different place. Now, your test script fails—even though the button is still there.

That’s the problem: traditional test scripts are fragile. They break easily when the app changes, even just a little.

✅ What Are Self-Healing Test Scripts?

Self-healing test scripts are smart test scripts that automatically fix themselves when small changes happen in the app.

Instead of breaking, they try to find the updated element (like a button or link) on their own and continue the test.

Think of it like this:
If a person can’t find the “Submit” button, they might look around and still recognize it by size or color. A self-healing script does the same thing—using logic or AI to “guess” what changed and keep running.

🧠 How Do Self-Healing Scripts Work?

Self-healing uses AI, machine learning, or backup locators to detect UI changes. Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • 🔹 Primary Locator Fails: The script can’t find the button using its original code.
  • 🔹 Backup Locator Tries: It checks other properties (like button name, type, or position).
  • 🔹 Machine Learning: Some tools remember past changes and predict what the new element looks like.
  • 🔹 Healing Happens: If it finds the right element, the test continues instead of failing.

⚙️ Popular Tools That Support Self-Healing

  • Testim – AI-based automation testing with self-healing built in.
  • Katalon Studio – Supports self-healing with multiple backup locators.
  • Functionize – Uses machine learning to adjust tests automatically.
  • ACCELQ – AI-powered test automation that adapts to app changes.

💡 Why Do Testers Love Self-Healing Scripts?

  • ✅ Fewer test failures from minor UI changes
  • ✅ Less maintenance work for QA engineers
  • ✅ Better test stability in agile environments
  • ✅ Saves time and reduces frustration

🏁 Conclusion

Self-healing test scripts are like smart assistants for QA teams. They keep tests running even when apps change a little, making automation more reliable and beginner-friendly.

If you’re starting your career in testing, learning about self-healing tools can give you a major advantage in modern test automation.

Quality Assurance Career Path: Your Complete Step-by-Step QA Journey

Introduction: What is a QA Career Path?

If you’re looking for a future-proof tech career, Quality Assurance (QA) is one of the most promising options in 2025. The QA career path not only provides job stability but also a structured growth route from beginner to executive level.

This guide offers a full roadmap of the software QA career path, highlighting job roles, skills, certifications, and growth strategies to help you plan your next move.

🧭 QA Career Path in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

1. QA Tester (Entry-Level Role)

Keywords: QA Tester skills, QA job for beginners, manual testing
Start here if you’re new to software testing. Learn the fundamentals of:

  • Manual testing
  • Bug tracking tools (e.g., JIRA)
  • Writing test cases

📌 Certifications:

  • ISTQB Foundation Level
  • Communication & soft skills training

2. Senior QA Engineer

Keywords: Senior QA engineer, automation testing, ISTQB advanced
Once you master basic testing:

  • Learn automation tools like Selenium or Postman
  • Begin mentoring junior testers
  • Write and manage test strategies

📌 Certifications:

  • ISTQB Advanced Level
  • Test automation tool certifications

3. QA Analyst / Senior QA

Keywords: QA Analyst, test planning, stakeholder communication
In this role, you:

  • Understand business needs deeply
  • Create advanced test plans
  • Serve as a liaison between QA, development, and business teams

📌 Skills Needed:

  • Soft skills (communication, presentations)
  • Business domain knowledge (e.g., e-commerce, finance)

4. QA Manager

Keywords: QA team lead, QA Manager role, test team leadership
Step into leadership:

  • Manage testing teams
  • Define QA processes
  • Align QA with business strategy

📌 Certifications:

  • ISTQB Test Manager
  • PMP or Scrum Master

5. ISTQB Specialist / QA Expert

Keywords: ISTQB expert, QA certifications, performance testing
This role focuses on niche areas:

  • Performance testing
  • Security testing
  • Compliance and audit

📌 Certifications:

  • ISTQB Expert Level
  • Specialized testing certifications (e.g., JMeter, OWASP)

6. Director of Quality Assurance

Keywords: QA Director, QA strategy, executive QA role
This top-tier role is for those who:

  • Build company-wide QA strategy
  • Manage cross-functional teams
  • Represent quality in executive decisions

📌 Education & Skills:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science
  • Strategic thinking, budgeting, leadership

🔑 Essential QA Skills in 2025

Keywords: QA soft skills, AI in QA, latest QA trends
QA professionals must also:

  • Improve communication and soft skills
  • Stay updated with AI-driven testing tools
  • Learn about DevOps, CI/CD, and cloud-based testing

🎯 Conclusion: Build Your Future in QA

Whether you’re aiming to become a QA Tester or a Director of Quality Assurance, there is a clear, structured career path waiting for you in the world of QA. Upskill, certify, and grow step by step.

Start your journey now — because great software needs great QA.

What AI Can’t Replace

In the age of rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun reshaping the landscape of many professions. From automating customer service to revolutionizing healthcare, AI’s reach seems limitless. Naturally, the question arises: Will AI replace software engineers or QA professionals?

The short answer? No — but it will change how they work forever.

AI Is Already Here

AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s in the IDEs we use, the test automation frameworks we build, and the tools we rely on daily. GitHub Copilot can generate code snippets based on natural language. Tools like Testim and mabl can automatically detect UI changes and adapt test cases accordingly. AI is already embedded in our workflows — assisting, analyzing, and accelerating.

But does this mean engineers and QA testers are becoming obsolete? Not quite.

What AI Can Do

AI excels at automation, pattern recognition, and large-scale analysis. Here’s what it’s already doing well:

  • Autocompleting code with tools like Copilot, CodeWhisperer, and ChatGPT
  • Generating unit tests from code comments
  • Running regression and performance tests at scale
  • Identifying flaky tests or unstable environments
  • Monitoring production with AI-powered anomaly detection

These tasks, once time-consuming, can now be offloaded to machines — allowing engineers to focus on more strategic work.

What AI Cannot Do

Despite its growing power, AI has serious limitations. It struggles with:

  • Context understanding: AI can’t fully grasp business goals, domain-specific nuances, or customer needs.
  • Creative problem solving: Designing architectures, refactoring complex codebases, or innovating new features still requires human intuition.
  • Critical thinking: Evaluating trade-offs, ethical implications, or edge cases needs judgment AI doesn’t possess.
  • Collaboration and communication: Engineers and QA professionals engage with stakeholders, designers, and clients — a social layer that AI cannot replace.

Even the best AI-generated code may lack context or contain subtle bugs. And no automated test can replace a skilled QA doing exploratory or usability testing.

Augmentation, Not Replacement

The future is not about AI replacing engineers — it’s about engineers using AI.

Think of AI as a co-pilot, not a pilot. It can speed up development, reduce repetitive work, and uncover insights — but humans remain in charge. The most successful professionals won’t be those who compete with AI, but those who collaborate with it.

We’re also seeing new roles emerge, such as:

  • AI QA Engineer: focusing on testing AI systems or using AI for QA automation
  • Prompt Engineer: optimizing inputs for large language models
  • AI Model Auditor: evaluating model fairness, bias, and accuracy

These roles demand a deep understanding of both AI and software — further emphasizing that technical professionals aren’t going anywhere.

Final Thoughts

AI is not a threat to software engineers or QA — it’s a powerful tool. Just as IDEs didn’t replace developers and Selenium didn’t eliminate manual testers, AI will transform how we work, not why we work.

The real question isn’t “Will AI replace you?”
It’s “Will you learn to work with AI — or fall behind those who do?”

OPTIMIZING SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CAREERS: HIRING, RETENTION, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

he high turnover rate among software engineers has become a crucial challenge in the technology industry. No wonder it has been affecting productivity of the companies along with project continuity and overall workforce stability. Research indicates that the software engineering sector goes through some of the highest attrition rates compared to other professions. Factors such as job dissatisfaction, lack of career progression, inadequate compensation and adverse workplace culture remain the major causes (McKinsey & Co., 2023). Although the demand for software engineers remains high, retaining skilled talent has become immensely difficult. It has eventually led to disruptions in product development and financial losses for organizations. One of the primary reasons for this challenge is the lack of calibration between hiring practices and long-term employee engagement. Many organizations tend to adopt immediate recruitment practices. However, they forget to consider how onboarding, professional development and workplace culture impact long-term retention (Saks & Gruman, 2018). A lack of structured onboarding programs and insufficient career development opportunities has been linked to early-stage attrition among new hires (Bauer et al., 2007; Perrot et al., 2014; Saks et al., 2007; Saks & Gruman, 2021). Furthermore, insufficient leadership and poor organizational management are highly responsible for job dissatisfaction. It leads many engineers to seek better opportunities somewhere else (Deloitte, 2021). more

Software Testing: The Backbone of Successful Tech Companies

Given today’s digital economy, effective software is a crucial tool to boost business processes, productivity, and customer satisfaction. However, applications that were not properly tested can result in security vulnerabilities, systems breakdown, and losses. Therefore, software testing becomes indispensable to performance and reliability as it significantly mitigates risks. Deploying a structured testing procedure enables bugs to be detected early, thus preventing expensive failures post-deployment. Nobody wants to put their time and trust in software that is slow or unreliable, and e-commerce systems must be able to manage tremendous amounts of traffic during events like Black Friday. This means that robust stress testing is a requirement. Another area that requires attention, and which is more in the limelight recently, is routine security testing systems due to increasing cyber threats that need to comply with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA. Such measures are needed to protect information and sensitive data to prevent losing user trust. Furthermore, automation testing reduces workload and long-term costs, allowing for better efficiency, and scalability of businesses. In the end, businesses need to understand that software testing goes beyond just didactic obligation and becomes of utmost importance from a strategic quality intervention especially in these technologically inclined eras to sharpen the competitive edge, mitigate risks, and promote user satisfaction more

Embracing Quality: A Deep Dive into Software Testing and Quality Assurance at Uttara University

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the demand for quality software has never been greater. In response to this need, I’m excited to announce that I will be leading a series of lectures on Quality Assurance (QA) and Software Testing at Uttara University under the EDGE project.

Why Quality Assurance Matters

Quality Assurance is more than just finding bugs; it’s about ensuring that software meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. With the increasing complexity of software applications, effective QA practices are essential for delivering products that not only meet user expectations but also perform well under real-world conditions.

Course Overview

Throughout this course, we will explore key concepts and methodologies in QA and software testing, including:

  1. Introduction to Quality Assurance: Understanding the principles of QA, its importance in the software development lifecycle, and the role of QA professionals.
  2. Testing Methodologies: Delving into various testing types such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. We will also discuss manual vs. automated testing and when to use each approach.
  3. Test Planning and Design: Learning how to create effective test plans, design test cases, and establish testing criteria that align with project requirements.
  4. Defect Tracking and Reporting: Best practices for identifying, documenting, and communicating defects to ensure timely resolution.
  5. Tools and Technologies: An overview of popular testing tools (like Selenium, JUnit, and Postman) and how they can enhance the testing process.
  6. Real-World Applications: Case studies and practical exercises to apply the concepts learned and prepare students for real-world QA challenges.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to:

  • Understand the critical role of QA in software development.
  • Develop comprehensive test plans and cases.
  • Utilize various testing tools effectively.
  • Analyze and report on testing outcomes to drive improvements.

Join the Journey

I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences in QA and software testing. This course will not only provide theoretical insights but also hands-on experience that prepares students for careers in this vital field.

I look forward to engaging discussions, collaborative projects, and fostering a deeper understanding of quality assurance among aspiring software professionals.

Stay tuned for updates, and let’s embark on this journey towards achieving excellence in software quality together!