Does the role of a traditional test manager, as defined by ISTQB, still meet the demands of quality assurance in IT implementation projects today? We at Infometis asked ourselves this question several years ago, and the answer was no. Discussions and analyses followed, leading to the development of a more advanced role with which we could identify – the Quality Ambassador.
But nothing is constant in our fast-paced world. This also applies to the Quality Ambassador program. For this reason, we Quality Ambassadors meet regularly and reflect on what we stand for. We consider how we want to develop further and share our experiences and challenges from various assignments and projects to stay ahead of the curve.
Each Quality Ambassador has a personal focus
Today we want to provide a structured overview and introduce the Quality Ambassador role. Our meetings resulted in a "skill matrix" based on the skills, tasks, and responsibilities we assume as Quality Ambassadors in a wide variety of projects. This doesn't mean that every Quality Ambassador possesses the exact same skillset, but rather that each Quality Ambassador has mastered the core competencies of their craft and also has a personal focus, which can be technical or methodological in nature.
The resulting focus – our focus as Quality Ambassadors – is thus a comprehensive expression of this role. It provides guidance to be aware of our own strengths, but also shows us in which areas we could develop further in order to fully live up to the role of a quality assurance professional.
Quality leads to customer satisfaction
Our efforts always center on the customer and the project. This focus, which we as Quality Ambassadors emphasize, is also the great benefit to our customers (see diagram above).
- Modern test management leads to increased testing expertise – The core tools of the Quality Ambassador are no surprise: test management, test planning, test methodology, test strategy, test data, test execution, and test reporting. Yet, these must be constantly re-evaluated and adapted. Is a classic test concept still relevant today, or is a "light" test concept sufficient? What test strategies do we need in the respective implementation methods? How do we provide up-to-date test data to ensure the effectiveness of testing activities related to CI/CD? Answering such questions leads to a modern testing process and increased testing expertise for the customer.
- Comprehensive quality from start to finish leads to increased quality awareness – quality assurance is not just testing! Only those who address quality holistically can achieve success. We support our customers from the very beginning of the requirements process, ensuring completeness and traceability, and provide early feedback.
- Building bridges leads to improved collaboration – we see ourselves as bridge builders and mediators, we moderate workshops and focus on stakeholder management. Only with coordinated quality measures and a holistic focus on problem-solving and finding solutions across project boundaries can project success be achieved.
- With sustainable quality {Alternative: With sustainable quality – have you perhaps discussed this?} standing the test of time – By using the right tools and technologies, regression tests, automation, load and performance tests, monitoring, and agile documentation can be implemented efficiently and sustainably. This leads to reduced maintenance efforts, higher test coverage, improved time-to-market, greater system stability, effective system monitoring, and transparency and traceability in the documentation. A significant benefit for our customers.
- Team coaching fosters a positive team spirit – The team is at the heart of every project and should be supported and developed. Through retrospectives and coaching sessions conducted by the Quality Ambassador, the continuous improvement process is supported. This enhances team development, leading to increased team efficiency and effectiveness, which in turn strengthens team spirit.
- Leadership leads to management support – we offer ourselves as sparring partners and supporters. We provide consulting and mentoring as needed, enabling project management to focus on what matters most.
Does this mean every Quality Ambassador is a jack-of-all-trades? Of course not. As mentioned, each has a personal focus. We'd like to illustrate this using two of our Quality Ambassadors: Mesrop Yaghubian and Raffaele Russo.
What does this look like in practice?
Mesrop currently works in the financial services sector, while Raffaele works for a health insurance company. The initial assignment for both Quality Ambassadors was traditional testing and test management. Both clients currently use Jira and Xray. The initial scope of responsibilities for both Quality Ambassadors was almost identical:
- Defining the methodology (product risk, mob testing, etc.)
- Creating the test concept (including requirements for the test data and the test environments)
- Coordinating, documenting and creating the logical and concrete test cases (scenarios)
- Deriving regression tests and ensuring handover to the responsible teams
- Planning, conducting and evaluating test sessions
- Ensuring the defect management process/process for defect management
- Creating reports for management
- Good knowledge of the test management process
- Knowledge of test management and testing tools
As a certified Kanban and Agile Coach, Mesrop focuses on team development, agile methodology, and coaching. He fosters continuous improvement processes as a retrospective facilitator and promotes communication with stakeholders by moderating workshops and ensuring the flow of relevant information. Transparency, methodology, and team development are his strengths, which he incorporates into his work.
Raffaele, who has gained experience on both the business and IT sides of the field throughout his career, places great emphasis on communication between business (Operations) and IT (Development). He has repeatedly observed that problems arise from communication difficulties or misunderstandings. Therefore, resolving these misunderstandings is a top priority for him. Thanks to his technical expertise, he efficiently and effectively supports teams in implementing DevOps, automation, and test data management.
Two Quality Ambassadors with different personal focuses, but with the same goal:
to strengthen quality awareness among customers and to support the team and management in order to be successful together.
Would you like to learn more about our Quality Ambassadors or do you need support with your projects? Then don't hesitate to contact us. We welcome every challenge. Because "quality is our mission."
See you soon, Mesrop Yaghubian and Raffaele Russo
