S1.E26: The true definition of testability with Ash Winter

Test-Driven Development (TDD): is it worth it?In this episode of QA Therapy, we sit down with Thierry de Pauw, an expert in software development and continuous delivery, to explore the impact of Test-Driven Development (TDD).🔹 What is TDD, and why should teams adopt it?🔹 How does TDD influence software quality and maintainability?🔹 Common myths and misconceptions about TDD🔹 Practical tips for implementing TDD effectively

In this episode of QA Therapy, we sit down with Richard Adams, a seasoned expert in security testing, to dive deep into the critical role security plays in modern software development. With security breaches becoming more sophisticated and frequent, it's essential for QA teams to integrate security testing into their workflows to protect applications and user data. Tune in to learn! 🚀

"Monitoring is for your known unknowns. Observability is for your unknown unknowns." But what does that really mean? And where does exploratory testing fit into all of this? ⚡In this episode of QA Therapy, we sit down with Charity Majors, co-founder and CTO of Honeycomb, to dive into the evolving role of testing, monitoring, and observability in modern software development.💡 What you’ll learn:✅ Why monitoring helps catch the known unknowns—things you expect might break.✅ How observability uncovers the unknown unknowns—the surprises you never saw coming.✅ Where exploratory testing fits in today’s fast-moving development cycles.✅ How QA, DevOps, and Engineering are merging into a continuous process of learning and adaptation.It’s not just about bugs, crashes, or outages—it’s about understanding what you’re unleashing into the world. 🚀 This episode will challenge how you think about quality, reliability, and testing.

Mark Winteringham, a leading expert in software testing and quality, explains how AI is reshaping exploratory testing in this episode of QA Therapy. 🌟 From improving test coverage to enhancing efficiency, AI brings numerous benefits—but success depends on knowing when and how to use it. If you can’t identify the challenges AI can solve, it might not be the right time to adopt it. This episode helps you determine if AI is the right fit for your testing process. 🚀

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of accessibility testing with expert Ady Stokes. From the basics to advanced strategies, Ady shares practical insights and tips to ensure your software is truly inclusive for all users. 📌 What you’ll learn: Why accessibility testing is a must-have in today’s digital world. Common barriers users face—and how to eliminate them. Tools and techniques for accessibility testing. Real-world examples and success stories. Whether you’re a tester, developer, or product manager, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you build a more inclusive user experience. 🌍✨

In this episode, we sit down with testing expert Bas Dijkstra to explore the perfect harmony between test automation and exploratory testing. Learn how these two approaches can work together to improve software quality, enhance test coverage, and speed up your releases. Whether you're a QA leader, a developer, or just starting in testing, Bas shares valuable insights on when to automate, when to explore, and how to use both to your advantage. Tune in to discover how to maximize the strengths of automation while unleashing the creative power of exploratory testing!

In this episode of QA Therapy, Lewis Prescott dives deep into the world of API testing and exploratory testing! 🚀 Lewis shares his insights on how these two testing methods can be combined to enhance the quality of your software and speed up your testing cycles. Tune in to hear: 🔹 The fundamentals of API testing 🔹 How exploratory testing plays a key role in discovering issues early 🔹 Practical tips for integrating both approaches into your testing strategy Whether you're a seasoned tester or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable advice to help you up your testing game. 💡

The team is thrilled to welcome back Leandro Melendez, aka Señor Performo, for his second appearance on the show! Last time, it was all about performance testing, but now, Leandro is here to explore the powerful combination of performance testing AND exploratory testing. With nearly 20 years of IT experience and a decade dedicated to performance testing using top-tier tools like Roller, NeoLoad, and more, Leandro shares his insights on: The basics of performance testing: What it really is and how it goes beyond load testing. Exploratory testing’s role in uncovering hidden performance issues. The value of observability in monitoring and improving performance. Strategies to make performance testing more accessible for teams. As a podcast host, global speaker, and PerfBytes podcast contributor, Leandro brings his infectious energy and expertise. Don’t miss out - hit play now and join us on the QA Therapy couch! #QATherapy #PerformanceTesting #ExploratoryTesting

In this episode, we sit down with Ash Winter, seasoned community-focused tester, coach, and co-author of Team Guide to Software Testability. Ash brings his wealth of knowledge to discuss how testability isn't just about testing, but a team effort that transforms the way we build and maintain software. 🌟 Key topics covered: What testability truly means for a team How exploratory testing helps uncover more than just acceptance criteria Insights into using the CODES model for better system architecture Why testers should be involved in architectural decisions The impact of continuous testing in DevOps Ash's enthusiasm and practical approach make this episode a must-listen for testers, developers, and tech leaders looking to improve their processes. Tune in now on Spotify and dive deep into the world of software testability! #QATherapy #Testability #ExploratoryTesting #SoftwareTesting #Podcast #DevOps #Spotify

It's easy to overlook exploratory testing. But is that wise? Could incorporating exploratory testing slow down your processes, or will it uncover hidden issues that your automated tests miss? In this episode, we dive deep into these questions and more with a special guest, Szilard Szell, a seasoned DevOps transformation lead and test coach. Szilard joins us to diagnose common testing issues teams face, like missed defects despite solid automated pipelines or the struggle to report after exploratory sessions. He brings years of experience from various industries, offering invaluable insights into blending DevOps with exploratory testing. Topics we’ll cover: Symptoms that indicate your team may need exploratory testing. Why traditional testing methods may not cut it in a CI/CD world. How exploratory testing and automation go hand-in-hand. Practical advice on making DevOps and exploratory testing work for any team. Szilard also shares his thoughts on the cultural shift necessary to embrace DevOps, the power of continuous learning, and key metrics for measuring DevOps success. Join us for this insightful conversation, and learn how to make exploratory testing an essential part of your team’s journey toward faster, higher-quality releases.