Tauranga Software Test Professionals Meetup: Journeys into Software Quality Assurance

As we wrapped up the final Tauranga Software Test Professionals Meetup for 2024, it was an exciting chance to revisit the grassroots of software testing—what does it truly feel like to embark on a career in testing?

Building on the success of recent meetups that explored Reporting and Metrics and AI in Testing/Testing in AI, the November event shifted focus. This time, we highlighted topics that resonated deeply with test delivery professionals—those who are hands-on in ensuring quality, creating and executing test scripts, identifying defects, and driving their resolution.

A special thanks goes out to the amazing team at Mercury Energy for not only providing their premises to host the event but also sharing the experiences of two of their team members who are relatively new to the field of software quality assurance. Their insights into the journey of entering this career were both inspiring and relatable.

Captivating Journeys into Testing

Attendees were treated to an engaging and informative session as the Mercury Energy team shared their experiences, including:

• Where they started: Their prior roles in customer service, from call centers to service provisioning for Mercury Energy customers.
• Why they chose testing: Leveraging their customer-focused background to provide a unique perspective on quality assurance.
• How they transitioned: Insights into the tools, techniques, and processes they learned, the mentorship they received, and the certifications they achieved.
• What it means now: The personal growth they’ve experienced and the tangible benefits they deliver to Mercury Energy's internal and external customers.
  
  

The interactive session included a lively Q&A segment, where discussions ranged from the International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB) certification process to tips for exam preparation and the broader benefits of certification—for individuals and testing teams alike. Their slide deck is available here.

It was an outstanding presentation—a tough act to follow! 😊

A Look Towards 2025

To conclude the year, the meetup followed its tradition of forecasting the year ahead. This included insights into project pipelines, team sizes, automation trends, and hiring challenges. Using survey data, participants explored what 2025 might hold for the testing community. This year’s survey suggests a possible softening in project workloads for 2025 <Link to 2024 Survey PDF> compared to the outlook for 2024 <Link to 2023 Survey PDF> and perhaps a start towards a benefits realisation stage for test automation. Would you agree?

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and Connection

The Tauranga Test Professionals Meetups this year have been nothing short of exceptional. With three events, a diverse array of speakers, excellent networking opportunities, and a spirit of professionalism, the Tauranga software testing community continues to thrive.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2024, we’re already excitedly planning for another impactful year in 2025! Stay tuned for more meetups, more insights, and more opportunities to connect and grow together.