Focus and Positivity is the key!

There are certain things I have observed quite a few times in various different situations while testing. These things seem more like a pattern than exceptions, and many a times demotivate me to do the right thing, for myself, and the organization.


What are these things?

• Testing is considered as a step child - at times not given enough "listening ear" as required.
• Testing usually seems lower in priority (compared to other issues faced).
• Clients / organization seem OK with bugs / defects going live or, in other words, they are OK with pushing code in Production without testing it properly.
• QA team is not involved in all stages of the life cycle - leading to disconnect between team members, invalid / incorrect assumptions, etc.
• QA capacity is not adequate for the amount of work actually needed to be done.
• Team members say - "This [issue] is not my responsibility. Talk to someone else."
• Team members say - "This [issue] is not your [QA] responsibility. You don't need to provide suggestions / solutions for it. Let the appropriate owners think / talk about it."

Tips to remain focused on the right thing

• Don't be hesitant to raise issues (time and again).
• Identify and keep highlighting risks - in current situation, their implications and the potential mitigation points.
• Keep doing what is right for the project / client.
• Identify and engage with the "correct" people to ensure issues are understood, highlighted and prioritized.
• Know what is in your control, and what is not. Strive to effect a change in what is in your control. For things out of your control, raise it with the relevant people, and then feel satisfied that you have done your part.
• Be positive.

I strongly believe that the last 2 items in the above list are the most crucial to remaining focused and being successful in whatever one does ... in personal life and in professional life.