Alex Meister set up and designed the software quality assurance department at his company Bucher & Suter AG. That was an exciting path, as Alex is actually a developer. And so worlds collided: suddenly it was no longer how well the software ran and how quickly it was implemented that counted, but rather what didn’t work. Not only was this a challenge, but also the fact that there were no suitable processes and tools for automation. With the ISTQB content and certifications, Alex himself and his team members were able to overcome these and other challenges.
“I come from the developer’s world. You’re always proud of what you’ve achieved and want to show what you can do, what the software can do (…). And then the other world comes along and says: Well, what you can do is all very well, but I’m interested in everything that doesn’t work well.” - Alexander Meister
Alexander Meister moved to Bern at the age of 26 to work in software development after completing his training and studying business informatics at the University of Applied Sciences. However, he soon specialized in software quality assurance, built up this area and deepened his expertise through further training, including ISTQB certifications. Thanks to his commitment, quality assurance became a central component of his employer’s development processes.
Highlights of this episode:
Alexander Meister provides insights into the world of quality assurance and test automation at Bucher & Suter. Alex gives exciting insights into the challenges and successes of her team.
Today I welcome Alexander Meister from Bucher & Suter, a company specializing in telecommunication solutions. Alex, responsible for Test & QA since 2006, shares valuable insights into the challenges and the path to excellence in software quality. From manual testing to test case development to implementing ISTQB standards, Alex and his team have traveled an impressive course to perfect their products. This story is not only an inspiration for quality assurance professionals, but also proof of how structured processes and continuous training lead to measurable success.
When Alex joined Bucher & Suter in 2006, the world of testing was still uncharted territory. They started with exploratory tests and had to deal with external requirements for the first time. Close cooperation with Cisco brought new challenges, but also opportunities. Manual tests initially dominated everyday life, while the team worked on outlining meaningful test cases and adapting them to unknown platforms. This phase was characterized by a lot of ‘brain power’ and the constant exchange with partners in order to put the software through its paces.
As the scope of the projects increased, it quickly became clear that manual tests alone were not enough. The introduction of load tests and the start of in-house developments for test automation marked a turning point. However, the requirements were high - the team had to find innovative solutions, particularly in the area of load testing, as standard market tools were inadequate for their specific needs. This required not only a deep technical understanding, but also creativity and a willingness to break new ground.
In order to meet the growing requirements and establish a common understanding and a uniform language within the team, Bucher & Suter opted for ISTQB certifications at an early stage. From basic to advanced level courses - continuous further training played a decisive role for the team. Regular exchanges within the team and targeted training measures ensured that everyone in the team became an expert in their field and was able to ensure the highest level of software quality.
Test automation is currently a hot topic at Bucher & Suter, particularly in the context of the move to cloud technology. This new era not only brings opportunities, but also challenges - for example in the areas of IT security and data protection. Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic and sees this step as an opportunity for further improvements to their processes and products.
Bucher & Suter’s journey shows how crucial structured testing procedures and continuous training are for software quality. By using ISTQB standards, the team was able to deepen its expertise while establishing more efficient processes. This success story serves as an inspiration for all companies looking to improve their quality standards.