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quality-engineering

quality-engineering

Modern Quality Engineering strategies to scale confidence — from shift-left testing to automation architecture, tooling, and developer-owned quality.

QA Teams of 2030—Embedded, AI-Powered, and Unstoppable

QA Teams of 2030—Embedded, AI-Powered, and Unstoppable

QA Teams of 2030: Forward-Deployed Engineers and the New Quality Paradigm How embedding QA, AI orchestration, and strategic oversight will redefine software quality over the next five years In my recent article, “The Myth of QA’s Demise,” I debunked the idea that quality assurance would be entirely automated out

The Myth of QA’s Demise

The Myth of QA’s Demise

“Is QA dead?” It’s a provocative question that seems to surface every few years, usually whenever a new testing tool emerges or a buzzworthy technology takes center stage. Today, in July 2025, the rise of AI in software development has revived that question with fresh intensity. But the truth

The Real Reason Your Test Automation Is Failing: Bad Leadership

The Real Reason Your Test Automation Is Failing: Bad Leadership

Test automation isn’t failing because of bad engineers—it’s failing because no one is investing in them. That’s not a hot take. That’s a painful, persistent truth I see in startup after startup, enterprise after enterprise. And it’s time we talked about it. The Villain

Forward-Deployed Engineers: The Secret Weapon for Quality Engineering in 2025

Forward-Deployed Engineers: The Secret Weapon for Quality Engineering in 2025

In today’s fast-moving software landscape, doing more with less isn’t just a mantra—it’s an imperative. With teams operating leaner than ever, quality engineering (QE) and software leadership must find novel approaches to maximize productivity, streamline feedback loops, and deliver robust solutions at breakneck speed. Enter the

The Hidden Tax of Traditional Test Automation

The Hidden Tax of Traditional Test Automation

“Test automation isn’t failing because of bad testers. It’s failing because testers are being forced to write and maintain code like developers… just to verify if a login button works.” Catalina Zapata nailed a pain point that resonates across the software quality industry. If you've worked

“Ready for Test” Isn’t the Problem — But How You Use It Might Be

“Ready for Test” Isn’t the Problem — But How You Use It Might Be

In the age of DevOps and CI/CD, does the "Ready for Test" status still belong in your workflow? The answer isn’t black and white. “Ready for Test” — three words that spark heated debates in QA circles. Some say it undermines shift-left. Others say it creates silos.

Shift Left Testing: The Complete Roadmap (With Tools, Examples & Milestones)

Shift Left Testing: The Complete Roadmap (With Tools, Examples & Milestones)

What Is Shift Left Testing? Shift left testing is a modern software development practice where testing activities start early and happen often throughout the development lifecycle. It moves testing “left” on the timeline—closer to requirements, design, and early coding—so bugs are caught before they cause costly delays. Think