How would you list the day in the life
of a software tester ? Get in to work and test software ? I realize
this is an over-simplification, but i am sure most lists would place
testing as the task that would take up most or all of a tester's time.
After all isn't that why testers are paid? Software testers are normally
expected to test and utilize their time optimally to find defects in
the software. Test all day and find issues. We live in a society that
values busyness and activity. It is easy to get caught up in the frenzy
of running tests and trying to find issues. Before you think that i am
trying to advocate testers to not do testing, let me clarify - testers
must test ! that is their primary job responsibility. However, testing
isn't all that a tester must do if he/she must remain relevant and
valuable in the future.
At this point i would like to digress a bit to touch upon a concept that is mentioned in Stephen Covey's book,
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
. It is called "
Sharpen the Saw
". What this means is to preserve and enhance the greatest asset you have, which is …
you
.
The book talks about having a
balanced program for self-renewal in the four dimensions of your life:
physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual. Self-renewal enables
you to create growth and change in your life. Sharpening the saw keeps
you fresh so you can increase your capacity to produce and handle
challenges. The book goes on to say that without this renewal, the body
becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit
insensitive, and the person selfish.
This concept of sharpen the saw finds expression in another oft repeated
tale about two wood-cutters who get down to cutting trees using their
saws. One wood-cutter goes to work and relentlessly keeps at cutting
wood. He spends a lot of time and effort to continuously cut wood.
The other wood-cutter cuts some
wood and then takes a little time off from cutting wood, to sharpen his
saw. He then goes back to his task of cutting wood. He does this
repeatedly. At the end of the day, it is observed that the second
wood-cutter has cut more wood (increased productivity), is more relaxed
(less stressed) and has both himself and his tools in good shape to
handle another day's tasks.
The saw of the first wood-cutter
gradually grew blunt with increased use. The reaction of this
wood-cutter was to increase his own effort at cutting wood hoping that
the increased effort on his part would compensate for the reducing
sharpness. Needless to state the obvious, the first wood-cutter ended up
feeling burned-out and tired and probably surprised that all his
efforts resulted in less than optimal results. He did have a lot of
busy-time but results did not match his level of activity.
Whats all this got to do with Software Testing ? I am sure most of you
would have figured out the connection and where we are heading. It is
true that testers must test, but that isn't all that a tester should do.
The best testers realize the principle of sharpening the saw. They must
take the time to continually develop their skills and work on their
creativity and thinking. These testers strive to constantly be abreast
of developments in their area. Self-development need not be limited to
areas that are directly connected to testing; do not hesitate to look at
those areas that may not seem in any way related to testing. You never
know where you might find ideas that can be implemented in your work.