From a Tester to a QA lead

In this episode, we discuss the exciting career path from tester to QA lead. We shed light on how the entry into this role can be rather accidental and what challenges have to be overcome. Particularly interesting is the description of the first days as a QA Lead, when it was a matter of getting used to new tasks such as signing off vacation requests. Another highlight is managing a team spread across two continents. It also gives valuable tips on how to find out if a leadership position is right for you and emphasizes that there is always the option to return to a previous role if the new position is not a fit.

“I had great ideas, was here at a conference, heard something great, wanted to try it out. But then the problem was, there were no other testers and the developers said, yeah, no, sounds nice now, but maybe we don’t feel like it.” - Andrea Jensen

Andrea has worked in a number of different professional environments, including a bank, the HR department of a Protestant hospital and a process documentation team. She eventually moved into software testing, where she has been working as a tester since 2011. In May 2024, she celebrated her one-year anniversary as Team Lead. She has also been a speaker at conferences from time to time since 2021, where she mainly talks about topics that are close to her heart - such as exploratory testing, teaming, also known as ensemble or mob testing.

Highlights of this Episode:

• How the career path from tester to QA lead can proceed
• The transition to the new role took place through a trial period supported by her employer.
• The importance of feedback and personal growth in the new role.
• The importance of interpersonal relationships and cultural differences in remote teams.
• How to find out if a leadership position is right for you.

From software tester to QA lead: An inspiring career path

In this episode of the podcast, Richie talks to Andrea Jensen about her journey from software tester to QA lead. She shares her experiences, challenges and tips for transitioning into a leadership role.

The unexpected career leap

Andrea tells us that her path to becoming a QA Lead started rather accidentally - much like her entry into testing. In her current company, there was a need for a centralized testing team instead of testing in the individual product teams. Andrea was asked if she was confident enough to take on this new role. At first she was surprised and didn’t know exactly how to react. But over time, she decided to give it a try.

Challenges and first steps

Andrea describes her first few weeks as both exciting and challenging. There were many moments of doubt, but in the end it turned out that she made the right decisions. The support of her employer is particularly noteworthy: a trial period allowed her to test out the new role before she was officially promoted. This approach helped her to slowly get used to the new tasks.

New responsibilities and day-to-day tasks

As QA Lead, Andrea suddenly had to take on completely new tasks - from approving vacation requests to resolving interpersonal conflicts within the team. One particularly formative experience was an incident in which a team member initially refused to speak to her. Situations like this required a lot of tact and patience. At the same time, Andrea remained involved in hands-on testing - a balance between management and technical work.

Interpersonal dynamics in the team

One of the biggest challenges for Andrea was managing interpersonal relationships within the team. She remembers meetings full of tension and misunderstandings between new team members. The integration of an international remote team was particularly difficult. But despite all the challenges, Andrea learned a lot about different cultures and communication styles.

Feedback and motivating successes

What ultimately convinced Andrea to stay in her new role was the positive feedback from colleagues and team members. She is particularly proud of moments when her ideas and approaches visibly bore fruit - be it through improved processes or increased quality awareness in the team. These successes have shown her that she is on the right track.

Tips for prospective managers

Finally, Andrea gives valuable advice for anyone considering a similar career development. Her most important tip: Just try it out! Whether by managing small projects or getting involved in communities, anyone interested in a leadership role should gain practical experience. And last but not least, she emphasizes the importance of informal exchanges with like-minded people.