QA Team Role

QA Roles: Who do you need on your QA Team?

Ask a ransom product owner what QA roles and responsibilities they have in software testing. They will most likely tell you that a QA group is a group of testers. They are quiet and search for software bugs all day. A Team Lead is a person who oversees the QA engineers and possibly an Analyst. However, product owners may not be certain what their team lead does.

A QA team can be even more diverse. It is composed of professors with different responsibilities and tasks. Depending on the complexity of the project, there may be multiple QA engineers, Test analysts, Test Architects and Test Managers.

Let’s now see what each role contributes.

Key QA Roles & Responsibilities

Role	Responsibilities
QA Engineer	Software is tested to find bugs and other errors. Verifies that a product meets the requirements. Detective who can find bugs even when they are not expected to. The system is tested using attention, deduction, or special software.
Test Analyst	Guru of project documentation. You are the first to decide what and how to test it. The product’s purpose and functions. The QA engineer can simplify his life by systematically organizing the information.
Test Architect	Finds the best solutions to meet client needs and work with team resources. A complete understanding of the software system. Knowledge of every feature and its interaction with other features.
Test Manager	Assumes total responsibility for the success or failure of the project. Prepares the test strategy and defines the scope of work. Also controls execution.
QA Team Lead	The Supervisor. The Supervisor may participate in any of the above mentioned processes, but he or she usually manages the team and checks the status. Interviews. Mentors and hires new employees. This job focuses more on managerial tasks than technical tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities of QA Engineers

A QA engineer carries out different tests. A QA engineer is responsible for checking a product for defects and making the defect lists for developers. Many people believe that QA engineers fix bugs. But they don’t. They report only what they can improve. Developers are responsible for the improvement of the product.

There are many ways to conduct tests. These are the roles and responsibilities for software tester engineers. You may have heard of manual testing. Each type of testing is performed by QA engineers with different qualifications.

The particulars of a project will determine the number of QA engineers that are assigned to it. While automation isn’t always required, it can be more efficient over the long-term. However, automation is not always possible for all tasks. There is at least one manual QA engineer involved in every task.

Manual QA Engineer Responsibilities

This person performs manual software checks, as you can see from the title. A manual QA engineer has the following main responsibilities:

• Analyse of the requirements and preparation of a query list.
• Writing and executing test cases in order to identify usability and performance problems;
• Conduct exploratory testing simultaneously with test design and execution
• Verification of cross-platform and multi-device consistency (software works with different browsers and devices).
• Creating detailed reports and making improvements to listings
• Participation in the test planning meetings and feedback to the testing group

Skills

• Understanding and knowledge of the development process, software lifecycle.
• Understanding of testing methods.
• Proficiency in manual web/mobile/API/requirements testing.
• Proficiency in writing test documentation, reviewing requirements, and creating bug reports.
• Understanding certain marking/scripting/programming languages, required for the project (e.g. JSON, HTML/CSS).
• Ability to accurately and clearly describe bugs.

Tools

• Test management tools: Xcode, Android Studio, Charles, Dev Console, Fiddler, etc.
• Project management tools: Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

The role and responsibilities of QA Automation Engineers

This member of the team uses special software to test a client’s system. An automation engineer is more skilled than a manual tester. They are required to run multiple tests with specific scripts, and often they write those scripts. Testing that is too time-consuming to do manually requires test automation engineers. These are the tasks they usually perform:

• Write test scripts
• run automated regression tests following every release and update of the software version.
• run performance tests (load, stress, spike tests, etc.) To test how the software performs under extreme conditions.
• Set the priority for automation scenarios, and maximize coverage of test coverage.
• Write documentation about automated testing and choose new automated tools.

Skills

• Understanding and knowledge of the software development process and its life cycle.
• Understanding of programming languages and automation testing methods.
• Proficiency in web/mobile/API/requirements testing.
• Writing automated tests and test scripts is a skill that can be acquired.
• Ability to accurately and clearly describe bugs.

Tools

• Test tools: Selenium. Katalon Studio. Test Complete. SoapUI. IBM Rational Functional Tester. Ranorex.
• Project management tools: Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

The Test Analyst Role & Responsibilities

Analysts are more focused on the business aspects than technical aspects. This person analyzes the formal requirements and guides QA engineers in their work. What power does the QA analyst position provide? These are some of the things that test analysts can do:

• Clarify testing requirements with QA engineers.
• Identify the tests to be tested, prioritize the tasks and track the coverage.
• define specific tests, design test cases, schedule test execution;
• Develop test documentation and send it to the product owner.
• Compare actual and expected results to determine if a product meets requirements.

Skills

• Analytical thinking is the ability to organize information.
• Knowledge of project management systems and electronic document management.
• Proficiency in managing large quantities of data and in documenting project requirements.
• Writing technical documentation.
• You are interested in learning about new technologies and products.
• Communication and effective work management are key components of a successful business.

Tools

• Analytic tools: Oracle SQL and Red Hat, Vmware MS Office, iWork Suite Google Docs, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Red Hat, Vmware MS Office, iWork Suite MS Office, iWork Suite MS Office, etc.
• Project management tools: Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

Responsibilities of the Software Test Architect

In complex cases, a test architect is responsible for maintaining a well-designed, sustainable test architecture. A QA engineer handles the practical aspects, while a test analyst focuses more on implementing business requirements. A test architect must ensure that they work efficiently. Here are the things test architects do most often:

• Find ways to optimize testing at a high-level.
• Identify tools and technologies that are compatible with company goals, company infrastructure, testers’ skill sets, and business goals.
• Monitor the effectiveness of testing and offer mentoring and suggestions for improving testing practices.

Skills

• Knowledge of QA techniques, testing methods, and techniques and scripting languages.
• Automating frameworks.
• Complex systems that are built using microservices architecture can be tested.
• Designing a test strategy, test data management and test environment management.
• Excellent communication, management and organizational skills.

Tools

• Automation toolkit for testing (e.g. : Selenium, Test, Ranorex, Appium, Calabash).
• Software development support tools (e.g. Maven, Ant, Team City).
• Project management tools: Microsoft Suite, iWork Suite, Google Docs, Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

Software QA Manager Role & Responsibilities

This person plays a crucial role in the team. The test manager is the one who first discovers how teamwork impacts the project’s outcome. This person is accountable for the product’s outcome in the eyes of the product owner. To ensure that clients receive the desired result, a test manager oversees architects, QA engineers, and analysts. A test manager is needed to do this.

• Prepares the project’s test strategy and identifies the tasks for each task.
• Establishes metrics to measure quality and monitors everyone’s performance.
• Calculates the testing budget and estimates the effort;
• Supervises the testing phase of the work process.

Skills

• Expertise in managing teams (three or more people) and knowledge about different management techniques.
• Knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of various testing types is essential.
• For writing test cases or creating test documentation, you will need to analyze the requirements.
• It is possible to prioritize tasks effectively, manage work terms and ensure quality at all stages of development.
• Basic knowledge of web design and scripting/markup languages.

Tools

• Test tools: Selenium. Katalon Studio. Test Complete. SoapUI. SoapUI. Postman. Ranorex.
• Project management tools: Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, TestRail, MS Office, Trello, iWork Suite, Google Docs, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

QA Lead Responsibilities

Everyone is welcome! The QA team leader handles all aspects of administration and communication with all parties. The QA team lead role involves a broad range of responsibilities, mostly not-technical .

• Hiring engineers, analysts, architects and other staff members.
• Supervision of the team and its processes to ensure team consistency
• Accepting the product owner’s requirements and explaining them to the team.
• Setting quality metrics for the whole team
• Assisting the team in cross-functional meetings
• Continually improving the quality of testing, and overall working environment.

Skills

• The basics of web application protocols, markup languages and scripting, as well as databases.
• Expertise in test documentation creation, prioritization and planning.
• Effective team management techniques and solid team management skills are essential.
• Knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of various testing types is essential.
• For cross-functional communication with product owners and the development team, you will need to have strong communication skills.
• Ability to quickly make decisions in critical situations; integrity, responsibility, and sociability

Tools

• Project management tools: Jira, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, TestRail, Trello, etc.
• Reporting & documentation tools: MS Office, iWork Suite, Google Docs, etc.
• Communication tools: Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.

Other roles

Not all roles are necessary for every team. These roles are often found in large corporations that have a strict hierarchy. They can share their responsibilities with other employees or be compensated by ready-to-use software solutions. Take, for example:

• An analyst will help you determine how to implement the requirements into a software product.
• Software development engineers in test work with automation software solutions. They are responsible for maintaining and writing test code, but they rarely do testing.
• The test library is managed by a configuration specialist who creates test builds and makes all changes to the script library.
• Network testers perform network and database testing, implement monitoring tools, and conduct load and stress tests. This is a more important role for web and telecom service providers.
• A defect coordinator is responsible for identifying testing gaps and risks. This member of the team assists with improving current testing processes in order to improve customer satisfaction.

What is Full-stack Quality Assurance Engineer? Are You a Full-stack QA Engineer?

QA engineers are usually responsible for a specific part of an app. They can run manual or automated testing. Different people can run regression tests, as well as test documentation and usability.

A full stack QA engineer is able to handle all these tasks alone. This person can handle all aspects of testing, from the initial definition of project requirements to the release day.

Full-stack QA technicians cannot test large products because it takes too much time. Full-stack testers lack the specialized knowledge that niche QA engineers have.

A full-stack QA engineer, on the other hand helps to create a more agile testing process. They are well-versed in all aspects of software functionality. They are familiar with the product from both the user and development perspective. They plan ahead about what and how they will test the product at the start of each sprint.

A QA engineer is responsible for finding bugs and providing clear reports to developers. A QA engineer can assist in any stage of product testing and complete any task. This helps optimize resources, improve team efficiency, and increase product quality.

It is not necessary to have a full-stack QA Engineer in the team. However, it is a benefit for the team to have one.

What is the QA role in Agile Software Development?

Traditional SDLC models require that testing be completed after the development phase has ended. If they are joining a project late, QA engineers may not have the time to check product features. Different roles and responsibilities are available for Agile QA. Testing begins in the initial stages, and then becomes continuous.

The development phases do not have to be in a specific order. They can overlap or be repeated. Agile teams prefer to work in short iterations and release frequently, rather than handing over final products to QA. This makes it possible to develop and test simultaneously, making them more flexible and efficient.

Requirements elicitation

Requirement testing is rare. They are still essential for project quality. QA engineers review the requirements to find inconsistencies and logical gaps during documentation development.

Planning and analysis

A tester does not have to do many tasks at this stage. Analysis and planning are about staying on top of the latest developments. QA participation helps minimize risks and ensure alignment. QA engineers gain a better understanding about product functionality which makes it easier to find bugs in the future.

Implementation

To create high-quality software, developers and testers begin to collaborate. The QA team actively participates with product development. They directly influence the quality of projects by reporting and finding bugs.

Stabilization

QAs inspect all product features and provide an overall assessment of product quality. Software can be approved for release by testers. It all depends on how many critical bugs are present.

Support

The QA team continues to repeat the above steps throughout the product’s life cycle. They test new features and find bugs in software during routine inspections. Users also report bugs to them.

How do you organize a QA team to be effective?

These roles and responsibilities are not mandatory for every team. Specialists’ responsibilities may change as specialists merge roles.

Test automation engineers are not always available to in-house teams. A manual QA engineer could partially or fully perform the role as a QA analyst. Large companies with complex infrastructures have a greater need for QA architects.

It all depends on how cooperative you are with your team. You have the option to hire a QA team in-house or work remotely with QA companies.

You can work with an internal team

1. Clearly explain your expectations and requirements.
2. Let your team know what your business goals are so they can better understand them.
3. To ensure a continuous dialogue, keep in touch with the QA staff.
4. If you don’t have enough information, ask for feedback.
5. If you are unsure, ask questions.

Remote QA specialists are ideal for you

1. All the above points should be followed.
2. Talk about working hours so that different time zones are not an issue.
3. Use effective tools to communicate and manage your team.
4. Discuss the plan with your team in the event of an emergency.

Bottom line

Effective QA teams are not created in a single way. The project determines the size of the team. It also affects the roles and responsibilities of members. Pay attention to product complexity and the business goals of your company when assembling a QA group. Quality assurance is crucial for agile software development.