Top 10 Not-So-Obvious Skills to Look for in a QA Engineer in 2024

With advancements in technology and methodologies, such as automation and AI-driven testing, QA has evolved into a dynamic field that drives continuous improvement and innovation. Accordingly, the standards for QA experts are continually rising. So, how can you secure a top-notch QA provider? This article will cover everything you need to know to make an informed choice.

What is a QA Engineer?

A QA engineer is a professional who ensures software quality by designing, implementing, and executing tests to identify and resolve defects before the product is released. A relentless bug hunter, quality guardian, integration maestro, release gatekeeper — you may call the QA engineer whatever you like. The reality is that this role is crucial to the overall success of any software development project.

The Grand Mission of QA Experts

To realize the importance of a QA role, let’s imagine a project without a QA engineer for a minute. In the requirement analysis phase, a QA engineer would typically refine the requirements to specify important details. For instance, a requirement for a “secure login system” might be too vague, leading to misunderstandings. In this case, QA engineers would detail components such as encryption standards and multi-factor authentication. Without such detailing, critical misunderstandings will appear later on during the project stages or fail to meet the project demands, compromising the project quality.

During design and development, the lack of QA involvement would result in inadequate test planning and automation, leading to gaps in testing coverage. For example, in an e-commerce platform, essential features like the checkout process and payment gateway might not be fully tested, leading to issues such as failed transactions or incorrect order totals. Without automated testing, manual testing may miss critical defects, such as system crashing under high traffic, resulting in lost sales and frustrated customers.

In the testing phase, the absence of a QA Engineer means inconsistent testing practices, with potential issues going undetected. Without structured defect identification, bugs may remain unresolved, impacting the software’s functionality. Integration issues are also likely without QA’s thorough examination of system interactions.

Pre-release, the absence of structured User Acceptance Testing (UAT) can result in unmet user requirements, leading to a solution with limited functionality. Post-release, undetected bugs can harm user satisfaction and increase remediation costs. Additionally, without a QA role, there is no dedicated focus on process improvement, which can lead to stagnant and inefficient testing practices.

As you can see, QA is actively involved at all stages of the software development lifecycle. Without a testing engineer, any project risks lower quality standards, missed defects, and increased costs, highlighting the essential role QA plays in delivering a successful software product.

Unpacking the Roles: QA, Testing, and QC Explained

Quality Assurance (QA), Testing, and Quality Control (QC) – all play crucial roles in ensuring software quality. Therefore, these roles often overlap, which makes the distinction between them rather subtle. Nonetheless, let’s review some nuanced distinctions between them in terms of scope of work, skill sets, and responsibilities.

Shortly put, while QA experts concentrate on improving and implementing processes to prevent defects from happening, testers focus on actively verifying the product’s functionality and reporting defects during the development phase. Meantime, QC specialists focus on the final product inspection, ensuring it meets the defined quality standards before it is released to users. While QC involves the actual product inspection and testing, it is way broader than just running tests — incorporating activities like compliance checks, product evaluations, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, to name a few.

Differences in the scope of work are the following:

• QA experts are actively involved throughout the entire development process;
• Testers mainly focus on executing test cases and identifying defects during the development phase;
• QC specialists inspect the final product, performing evaluations and compliance checks before the release.

The skill set differences involve:

• QA experts have to demonstrate strong skills in process design, quality management, automation tools, and knowledge of the software development lifecycle;
• Testers require expertise in manual and automated testing techniques and knowledge of defect identification tools;
• QC specialists master product inspection techniques, quality standards, compliance checks, and the ability to perform product evaluations.

What Does a QA Engineer Do?

Quality assurance is a multifaceted landscape comprising various roles, positions, and work scopes, each contributing uniquely to the software development process. For example:

• QA analysts design test plans, create test cases, execute tests, and document defects;
• test architects design testing strategies, develop test frameworks, and integrate testing tools and practices;
• test automation engineers operate and maintain automated test frameworks and scripts, and integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines;
• performance test engineers conduct performance, load, and stress tests for scalability and reliability;
• security test engineers identify security vulnerabilities, conduct penetration tests, and ensure security compliance;
• mobile QA engineers test mobile apps across devices and platforms, ensuring their compatibility and performance;
• functional testers verify software functionality according to specifications while conducting unit, integration, and system testing;
• user acceptance testers (UAT testers) ensure software meets business requirements and user needs, actively collaborating with end-users;
• QA managers lead QA teams, define processes and standards, coordinate with departments, and ensure deadlines and quality goals;
• QA leads oversee QA projects, coordinate activities, mentor team members, and report on metrics.

Does this mean all these roles should be included in one project? Not necessarily. In a typical development team, not all of these QA roles need to be present simultaneously. The specific roles and responsibilities of software testers may depend on the project’s size, software’s complexity, and available resources. For smaller projects or teams, roles are often combined to maximize efficiency and minimize overhead. In contrast, medium-sized and large-scale projects generally require more specialized roles to address a broader range of testing needs.

Key Responsibilities: Daily Workload vs Long-Term Project Involvement

Quality Assurance engineering is far from a monotonous or one-dimensional role; it is a dynamic and engaging field. Daily activities in QA are varied and involve a range of tasks designed to ensure the highest standards of software quality. From executing diverse testing scenarios and managing intricate test data to configuring complex test environments and collaborating closely with development teams, QA engineers are continuously faced with new challenges — hence the need for various cutting-edge strategies and approaches.

Meantime, QA engineers have to balance daily activities with strategic oversight, thus contributing not only to the immediate software quality but also to its long-term stability and performance.

In their everyday activities, QA engineers follow the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), which, similar to Agile methodology, focuses on iterative testing, ensuring that different features and changes are tested repeatedly throughout the development lifecycle. Let’s review some details below.

What Skills Are Necessary for Software Testers?

Beware of the common misconception that only hard skills matter in QA roles. In reality, balancing technical expertise with interpersonal skills ensures that QA engineers not only detect and address issues but also facilitate a smoother development process and help deliver a reliable and user-friendly product.

Wondering which skills are a must-have for QA experts? We won’t keep you in the dark any longer.

5 Must-Have Hard Skills for Top-Notch QA Engineers

API Testing

API testing is a fundamental aspect and the most in-demand testing type among QA engineers in 2024. It requires a blend of technical expertise and analytical skills to ensure that APIs function correctly, perform well, and maintain security and reliability throughout the software’s lifecycle.

Expertise in the following API testing tools is required:

Postman, SoapUI, Insomnia, Paw, Apigee

Test Automation

QA engineers should be adept at using automation tools. This skill allows them to create and run automated test scripts, which speeds up the testing process and helps cover a broader range of scenarios. With high-level automation testing skills, QA specialists can reduce the need for repetitive manual testing and make it easier to quickly identify issues — a real game-changer for ensuring project quality.

Expertise in the following tools is needed:

Playwright, Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, Cypress, Appium

Programming Languages

While deep coding expertise is crucial for only some QA roles, knowledge of programming languages enables QA engineers to write and troubleshoot custom test scripts, understand how the software’s code works, and collaborate effectively with developers to solve problems that arise during testing.

Expertise in the following languages is needed:

Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, Ruby

Defect Tracking and Management

Expertise in defect-tracking tools allows QA engineers to efficiently log defects, track their status, and manage their resolution. This is crucial to ensure that issues are addressed promptly and that the software meets quality standards before release.

Knowledge of the following tools is needed:

Bugzilla, JIRA, Azure DeVops, MantisBT, Redmine, YouTrack

SQL and Database Testing

This skill is important for checking that data is stored and retrieved correctly, ensuring data integrity, and confirming that the software processes data as expected. It involves a whole combination of software skills in query writing, data validation, performance optimization, and security to maintain the reliability and accuracy of the database system.

Expertise in the following languages is needed:

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Oracle SQL Developer, Toad for SQL Server, DBeaver, DbVisualizer

5 Soft Skills for Quality Assurance Engineers

Attention to detail

Needless to say, any Quality Assurance engineer must be able to spot even the smallest issues or inconsistencies within the software. Only with a highly meticulous approach, it can be ensured that every aspect of the application is thoroughly tested and adheres to quality standards.

To assess the attention to detail of a QA engineer:

• Review test cases: check for completeness and accuracy.
• Analyze defect reports: evaluate how well issues are described and reproduced.
• Observe testing: watch for spotting minor issues during the process.

Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking is another key skill essential for devising effective test cases and identifying the root causes of defects. Throughout their work, QA Engineers must be able to analyze complex problems, understand how different components of the software interact, and troubleshoot issues effectively.

To evaluate the analytical thinking of a QA expert:

• Perform problem-solving exercises to test their approach to complex problems in real scenarios.
• Review their test results, assessing their interpretation and identification of patterns.
• Evaluate their testing strategies with a focus on the rationale for test designs.

Communication

Good communication ensures that all team members are aligned on the status and impact of defects and that necessary actions are taken promptly. Since QA Engineers need to effectively report issues, collaborate with developers, and convey test results and feedback clearly, this skill is crucial for the role.

To assess the communication skills of a software tester:

• Assess their reports: look at the clarity and detail in defect reports.
• Simulate team interactions: observe their effectiveness in team communication based on a real-life case scenario.
• Test out their presentation skills: assess how well they present findings.

Problem-solving

QA Engineers must be skilled at finding solutions, which includes developing creative approaches to testing in software engineering, debugging issues, and suggesting improvements to enhance software quality.

To assess the QA’s problem-solving capabilities:

• Address response to challenges: ask how they handle unexpected testing issues.
• Observe innovativeness: evaluate their creativity in testing solutions.
• Analyze troubleshooting: review their method for diagnosing and fixing defects.

Time management

Finally, time management is essential for balancing thorough testing with project timelines. QA Engineers must be able to efficiently prioritize tasks, manage multiple testing activities simultaneously, and meet deadlines to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality software.

To assess time management skills:

• Request to perform task prioritization: check how well they manage task priorities.
• Ask for deadline estimates: review their ability to assess task completion on time.
• Test resource management: evaluate how effectively they use testing resources.

Considerations When Hiring QA Testing Services

Hiring QA testing services offers multiple benefits, from project quality to overall cost and time efficiency. Outsourcing QA allows internal teams to focus on core development tasks, accelerates time-to-market with efficient testing processes, and provides scalability to handle varying project sizes and complexities. However, none of this will be achieved if a wrong partner is hired. Here are some aspects to look for in a successful QA testing services provider.

Expertise and Technical Experience

First and foremost, the agency’s technical capabilities should align with your needs, including expertise with relevant testing tools and automation frameworks. Without this alignment, you risk encountering issues that can compromise project quality. Therefore, do not assume that the assessed agency has the necessary QA engineer skills without thorough verification.

Ask yourself:

• Do they have industry-specific experience?
• Are they proficient in your technology stack?
• Can they handle the types of testing you need?

Reputation and Quality of Service

While evaluating the quality of service might be tricky, there are a few signs that may help. Review the vendor’s adherence to industry standards and how they measure and ensure quality. Also, research crucial information about the vendor’s track record, such as overall rating, client references, and case studies.

The aspects to consider:

• Do they follow industry standards and hold relevant certifications?
• Are their test reports detailed and actionable?
• What do reviews and testimonials say about them?
• Can they provide relevant case studies or client references?

Collaboration and Cultural Fit

Ensure the vendor communicates clearly, uses effective channels, and can integrate well with your team. Avoid assuming their communication skills or integration practices are adequate without verification.

Critical elements to review are:

• Does their work culture match yours?
• Are they fluent in your preferred language?
• What communication channels and update frequencies do they use?
• Do they use compatible collaboration tools?

Cost and Value

Consider the cost and value by comparing their pricing model with your budget and ensuring that you receive good value for the money. Mistakes here include focusing solely on cost without considering the quality and value provided.

Ensure double-checking these aspects:

• Is their pricing model within your budget?
• Do you receive good value for the cost, including deliverable quality?

Scalability and Flexibility

Scalability and flexibility are important for handling varying project demands. Therefore, clarify if the vendor can adjust its resources and adapt to changes in scope.

Double-check the following aspects:

• Can they adjust team size and resources as needed?
• Are they flexible with changes in scope or deadlines?

Security and Confidentiality

Without strong data protection measures and compliance with relevant regulations, a QA testing provider fails to meet essential security and legal standards. This oversight can jeopardize sensitive information, expose your organization to regulatory penalties, and compromise overall data integrity.

• What are their data protection measures and compliance with regulations?
• Are they willing to sign NDAs for confidentiality?

Support and Maintenance

Ensure the vendor provides efficient ongoing support and maintenance — otherwise, it can impact the resolution of post-testing issues.

Consider these aspects:

• How do they handle issue resolution and support?
• Do they offer ongoing maintenance and updates, and under what terms?

Unobvious tips for evaluating potential QA service providers

Some crucial aspects of QA service assessments are often overlooked. Ensure you don’t miss out on finding the perfect fit for your business needs by meticulously considering all factors  — integrate the practices below into your evaluation process.

Evaluate Their Problem-Solving Approach

Assessing a QA provider’s problem-solving approach will give you insight into their capability to deliver high-quality results and manage the complexities of your project effectively. In doing so, look beyond their testing methodologies and delve into how they handle complex issues. Ask for examples of how they’ve tackled challenging bugs or testing scenarios in the past. This will give insight into their problem-solving skills and creativity.

Assess Their Understanding of Your Industry

A provider with experience in your specific industry will better understand your unique requirements and constraints. Evaluate their knowledge of industry-specific standards, regulations, and best practices.

Review Their Approach to Documentation

Check how they document their testing processes, issues, and results. Comprehensive and clear documentation ensures transparency and facilitates a better understanding of testing outcomes; thus, it’s a vital criterion for QA success.

Ask About Their Continuous Improvement Practices

A commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation can indicate a provider’s dedication to maintaining high-quality standards. Therefore, make sure to inquire about how they stay current with industry trends and continuously improve their processes, as well as discuss some emerging testing trends — including the reported hot topics for 2024 like AI in QA, test impact analysis, IoT device testing, testing using VR/AR environments, etc.

Assess Their Risk Management Approach

A proactive approach to risk management can help avoid potential issues and ensure smooth project execution. Therefore, don’t forget to evaluate how your assessed QA expert or agency identifies, manages, and mitigates risks associated with testing.

Examine Team Composition

Look into the qualifications and experience of the team members who will be working on your project. A well-rounded team with diverse software testing skills and experience can provide a more comprehensive testing approach.

The Superpower of Alignment

Aligning QA services with project needs and company culture is crucial for ensuring project success. According to a recent industry report, teams with efficient testing practices were able to spend 22% less time on unplanned bug-related work.

The moral is obvious: when QA practices are tailored to address specific project requirements, they lead to higher quality outcomes and efficient use of time and effort. Simultaneously, a QA provider that fits well with the company culture facilitates smoother collaboration and brings much greater value.

What happens if the QA alignment with organizational needs does not happen? Poor quality, inefficient resource use, increased costs, communication breakdowns, delays, customer dissatisfaction, and heightened risk exposure are the most common cases in this scenario.

Jelvix stands out as a partner that excels in achieving this alignment. With a deep understanding of both the technical skills required for software testers and the cultural aspects of client organizations, Jelvix ensures that QA services are precisely tailored to meet project requirements. Our approach involves close collaboration with internal teams to integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and ensures that potential risks are mitigated and that projects are delivered successfully, on time, and within budget.

Contact us to discuss your software testing needs and find out how we can address them efficiently.

Conclusion

Finding a QA expert who balances expertise with organizational alignment requires a meticulous selection process, but it is well worth the effort. Ultimately, a strong QA process not only enhances software quality but also improves team efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall project success.

If you want to ensure that software testing in software engineering doesn’t compromise your project quality, partner with Jelvix —  a leader in providing top-tier QA testing services, known for its commitment to excellence and innovation in the software development field. Our team of seasoned QA professionals brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every project, ensuring high-quality outcomes that will align perfectly with your organizational goals.

FAQ

How does a software QA engineer contribute to the software development lifecycle?

QA engineers identify bugs, ensure quality, automate tests, and provide feedback to developers, ensuring a smooth and efficient development process.

Which skills are required by an Agile Tester?

Agile Testers need strong collaboration and communication skills, proficiency in test automation, a good understanding of Agile methodologies, and adaptability to changing requirements.

How does adaptability benefit a QA engineer
Adaptability allows QA engineers to quickly learn and implement new tools, technologies, and methodologies, keeping up with industry changes and improving multiple levels of testing in software engineering projects.

Why is automation important in QA testing?

Automation increases testing efficiency, reduces human error, and allows for continuous integration and delivery, leading to faster and more reliable software releases.

How can I hire the best software testing company?

Research and compare companies, read client reviews, and check their industry experience. Ask for case studies, evaluate testing tools and methodologies, and conduct interviews to assess technical expertise and communication skills.