Quality assurance (QA) engineers are essential in ensuring software applications are thoroughly tested before releasing to the public.
A day in the life of a quality assurance engineer involves various tasks and requires deep knowledge of software engineering principles.
Let’s join me and uncover the role’s demands in detail to understand better what these engineers do daily in this article!
Who is a QA Engineer?
QA engineers are professionals responsible for testing software products to ensure they function as expected and meet user requirements.
They also work closely with developers and project managers. So they can identify and resolve potential issues before releasing the product to the public.
The responsibilities of these engineers can vary depending on the organization they work for. They are typically responsible for these tasks:
- Creating and executing test plans
- Identifying and reporting bugs
- Collaborating with other teams
- Continuously improving the testing process
The role of a QA engineer is complex and multifaceted. If you are wondering about this career, check their daily duties to determine if it suits you.
1. Scrum Meetings
One of the initial tasks a QA engineer performs in the morning is attending the daily scrum meeting.
This meeting is a platform for the QA engineer to apprise the team of the previous day’s testing progress, ongoing issues, and detected bugs.
The meeting is also a forum for these engineers to discuss plans for the testing they will perform that day. Additionally, they address any blockers hindering the testing progress during this meeting.
2. Software Testing
After the scrum meeting, the QA engineers will begin testing the software. This step is crucial in software development. It ensures high-quality software meets the client’s requirements.
These engineers run unit, integration, software system, and acceptance tests to achieve this goal. These tests help to identify any issues, bugs, or defects affecting the software performance.
Moreover, they also perform exploratory testing to identify any unexpected behavior or issues not covered by the test cases.
They may use automated testing tools to speed up the process, ensuring consistency in the test results. These tools can also help to detect defects missed during manual testing.
However, QA engineers must also perform manual testing, especially when the software is complex.
3. Documentation
Once testing is complete, the QA engineer will document any bugs or issues. They provide a detailed report, including the steps to reproduce the bugs.
This way, they can ensure that the development team comprehensively understands the bugs and issues discovered.
They also recommend how best to fix the bugs and issues and will work with the development team to prioritize and schedule fixes.
In addition to documenting bugs and issues, the QA engineers update any testing documentation, including test cases and plans. Updating this documentation ensures that future testing efforts are efficient and effective.
4. Self-Development
In addition to their daily tasks, QA engineers spend time on self-development, a crucial aspect of their job. It involves learning new methodologies or tools, attending training sessions or conferences, or reading industry developments.
Keeping themselves updated with the latest trends ensures these engineers can provide the development team with the best testing services.
Moreover, self-development benefits not only the QA engineers themselves but also the organization they work for.
Improving their skills and knowledge helps QA engineers contribute to the company’s growth and success. It leads to greater job satisfaction and fulfillment in this profession.
5. After Work
QA engineers can continue their self-development in various ways after work. They can enroll in training programs and online courses to gain new knowledge.
Additionally, they can read industry publications to update the latest trends and developments. Aside from professional growth, QA engineers can prioritize their personal lives outside work.
They may spend time with family and friends. Alternatively, they take up hobbies such as cooking or playing sports. Non Work-related activities can help them relax and recharge for the next workday.
Essential Skills
QA engineers should possess a range of essential skills, as shown below!
QA engineers must have a strong technical background to ensure the software they are testing works correctly. They must be proficient in programming languages, database management, and software testing tools.
They should deeply understand the software development lifecycle, including agile methodologies, continuous integration, and continuous delivery. Also, they must be familiar with testing types like unit, integration, and system testing.
Attention to detail is a crucial skill for a QA Engineer. They must identify even the most minor errors in the software they are testing.
They should have a keen eye for detail to spot inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and other issues compromising the software’s functionality.
They should be able to document these issues clearly and accurately, ensuring that the development team can address them efficiently.
QA engineers must have excellent communication skills. They should communicate effectively with other team members.
They should explain complex technical issues simply, ensuring everyone understands the problem. Besides, they must write clear and concise bug reports, test plans, and other documentation that is easy to understand.
QA Engineers should possess excellent problem-solving skills. They should be able to identify problems and develop creative solutions.
Besides, they must be able to work independently and as part of a team. So they can collaborate with other team members to identify and resolve issues.
Time Management
QA engineers should know how to manage their time effectively. They should be able to prioritize tasks to address critical issues promptly.
They must be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising their work quality. Additionally, they should multitask, working on multiple projects simultaneously without losing focus.
In A Nutshell
The life of a QA engineer is busy but rewarding. Before releasing software products to customers, they must ensure they are bug-free and tested.
With comprehensive knowledge and passion, you can excel in this role and significantly impact the software development process.