How can Agile testers develop their soft skills?

As a tech writer, I can understand why testers need these skills. However, they are important for writers too. 1. Emotional Intelligence ↳ It's about understanding people and staying cool under pressure. 2. Problem-Solving Skills ↳ Whether you're testing or writing, solving tricky problems is part of the game. 3. Stay Flexible ↳ Things change fast in tech. Being able to roll with the punches is key. 4. Leadership Qualities ↳ You don't need a fancy title to be a leader. Making smart choices and keeping the team pumped matters a lot. 5. Effective Time Management ↳ Juggling tasks without losing your mind? That's a superpower we all need. Remember: Soft Skills not only enhance individual performance but also overall project success.

Utilizar a análise SWAT como ferramenta de auto avaliação aplicando para as softs te mostrará os pontos fortes e de melhoria.

Soft skills are what set you apart in every field. Mastering using soft skills, that play up your strengths, makes you a better influencer in your scrum team. I agree that getting feedback from your team members also help you to understand yourself from a fresh perspective, and make you a better person all round.

Agile testers can develop their soft skills by actively participating in collaborative team activities, enhancing communication with team members and stakeholders. Engage in cross-functional collaboration, embrace a mindset of continuous learning, and seek regular feedback to improve interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Foster empathy and understanding, both within the team and when interacting with end-users. Participate in Agile ceremonies, such as sprint planning and retrospectives, to strengthen teamwork and communication. Continuous practice and a commitment to personal development contribute to the cultivation of soft skills for Agile testers.

Agile testers can develop their soft skills by: 1. going outside and talking to people. To advance your soft skills you have to put them into practice 2. Joining an activity you enjoy outside of work. Once you are better the work gets better. 3. being human first. you are that first before anything else. So are your end users.

I think you need to move from SMART goals to SMARTER goals, e.g. constantly evaluate and adjust your goals as you progress in your journey of developing your soft skills.

Once you’ve gained a clear understanding of your current skills, it’s time to chart your growth path with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. For instance, if you aim to enhance your communication skills, set specific objectives like incorporating more open-ended questions in your conversations, practicing active listening, and striving for clarity and conciseness in your communication.

Here are a few examples tailored to agile testers developing soft skills: Enhance Communication Skills: Goal: Deliver a concise and effective presentation on a testing topic during the next sprint review. Measure: Feedback from team members on clarity and engagement. Strengthen Collaboration: Goal: Actively participate in daily stand-ups for the next month, contributing insights and actively listening to team members. Measure: Percentage increase in positive interactions and shared knowledge.

Agile testers can enhance soft skills by improving communication in daily stand-ups, seeking constructive feedback, and actively participating in retrospectives. Additionally, practicing empathy, honing collaboration with developers, and refining problem-solving abilities contribute to well-rounded soft skills development.

As they say, you get what you ask for. You should be open to asking for help. If you aspire to communicate well, ask those who you admire to mentor you, or ask your manager to recommend a good course to you.

Don’t underestimate the power of learning from others. Peers, mentors, coaches, or experts in your field can provide invaluable guidance, advice, and feedback. Their experiences and knowledge can illuminate your path and accelerate your growth. Remember, the pursuit of soft skills is a journey of continuous learning and growth. So, stay curious, stay open, and keep learning. Your dedication to self-improvement will undoubtedly shine through in your interactions and work!

To seek learning opportunities as an agile tester: Online Courses and Certifications: Explore platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning for courses on agile testing, automation, or specific testing tools. Webinars and Workshops: Attend webinars or workshops conducted by industry experts or organizations focusing on agile testing practices. Conferences and Meetups: Look for testing conferences or local meetups where you can connect with professionals, attend talks, and participate in hands-on sessions.

After following the tip I provided in point #1 above, the testers should find opportunities to improve on the skillsets they are missing. The good thing about experimenting with your soft skills is that the worse feeling is of fear, or having to bear with butterflies in your stomach! Seriously, that's all it's about. If you know you need to improve upon your language or communication, actively listen to other people and respond when needed. If you are scared of giving presentations- prepare well, present to yourself, and never pass up an opportunity to present. The best ways to learn with things that don't have a clear output (like software programs), is to keep on doing it, seeking feedback and improving upon it the next time.

Collaboration skills can be strengthened by working closely with your team, supporting the development process, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the product. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work! In essence, the key to developing soft skills lies in conscious practice and application. So, seize every opportunity to practice, learn, and grow. Your commitment to applying these skills will not only enhance your personal growth but also contribute significantly to your team’s success!

In the context of Agile testing, the saying “practice makes perfect” is particularly relevant when it comes to polishing soft skills. Agile testers can leverage their daily tasks to practice refining these skills, and turn routine activities into opportunities for growth. For instance, writing test cases is a practical exercise in sharpening clear and concise communication skills. This will assist testers in creating test cases that are not only technically accurate but also easily understandable by people with varying levels of technical knowledge. This practice helps in developing the ability to convey complex information in a simple and effective manner, a skill that’s invaluable in Agile environments.

Scenario: Sprint Retrospective Meeting Objective: Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration. Communication: Skill: Clearly articulate the testing progress, challenges faced, and insights gained during the sprint. Application: Provide a concise summary of testing activities, emphasizing key achievements and potential improvements. Collaboration: Skill: Actively engage with team members, including developers and product owners, fostering open dialogue. Application: Seek input from team members on ways to enhance collaboration and address any concerns raised.

Communication Progress: Reflection: Consider how effectively information was communicated during the sprint retrospective. Evaluation: Assess whether communication was clear, engaging, and if team members felt well-informed about testing activities. Collaboration Progress: Reflection: Review interactions with team members to identify instances of effective collaboration or areas for improvement. Evaluation: Gauge the level of teamwork and whether collaborative efforts positively impacted the testing process.

The way this question is phrased a little off for me. Be it Agile 'testers' or 'developers' or for that matter any person on the team needs to hone their soft skills. And the way to do it would be similar for most, irrespective of their current roles. The points put forth in this answer/post covers most of the things that need to be done. Additionally building your network is a fruitful way of improving soft skills.

I once faced a seemingly minor UI glitch reported by a visually impaired user. Their frustration sparked a deeper understanding of accessibility concerns, leading to a more inclusive & impactful final product. I still cherish the memory of a junior tester presenting their first automated test script, nervous yet proud. That spark of learning lit a fire within the team, reminding us that growth, not just perfect execution, is the true mark of an agile tester. I remember leading a testing team on a challenging mobile app project. We were like partners, brainstorming solutions & celebrating wins. This collaborative spirit not only improved testing but built lasting bonds & a truly agile team.

Softskills são até mais importantes que hardskills, na mesma proporção que são mais difíceis de medir e tangibilizar, pois cada situação é única e reverbera no outro de forma igualmente única. É fundamental ter autoconhecimento, saber como você reage a diversos estímulos e descobrir o que é inegociável pra você. Habilidades de comunicação são igualmente importantes, para alinhar as necessidades dos envolvidos. Por último, é não menos importante, escuta ativa e o diferencial de quem tem interesse verdadeiro pelas pessoas e resiste ao impulso de dar uma opinião sobre a dor ou necessidade do outro.

I would suggest that if a person doesn't have the soft skills mentioned, they should not embark on a career as an 'agile tester'. When I interview people for a QA role in a team working iteratively, I care first and foremost that they are confident in speaking in a group, are inquisitive, are able to build relationships with people and constantly ask questions. Learning about the technology and processes within a team is secondary to someone being able to communicate well.

In Agile, the team is equipped with all the skills it needs to deliver a product and members arent called developers or testers or DBAs like in the traditional software development world. Plus, soft skills are key to every single professional to succeed. Wondering why only Testers in Agile are being asked here...