Meet the Core of Our Experienced QA Team

04 Oct, 2024 | 6 minutes read

Meet the QA Office Leads and our experts who are the foundation of our quality assurance processes. With a combined experience of over 100 years, our dedicated team is committed to delivering exceptional products. Learn about their passion for excellence, their innovative approaches, and how they ensure our software meets the highest standards.

Viktor Petkovski, QA Engineer with 15 Years Experience

IWC: What excites you most about working in QA, and how has the integration of AI changed your role?

Viktor: I find the greatest satisfaction in ensuring that every product we deliver is top-notch. Catching potential issues before they impact our users is incredibly rewarding. AI, particularly in NLP automation, has significantly transformed my role. By automating repetitive tasks, I can focus on more complex challenges and develop innovative testing strategies. It’s been inspiring to see how AI enhances our work, making our testing processes more efficient and effective.

IWC: What do you enjoy doing in your free time, and how do you think AI will shape the future of QA?

Viktor: I love spending time outdoors, especially going for walks. It helps me relax and gain fresh perspectives on the challenges I face. As for the future of QA, I believe AI will revolutionize the field by automating routine tasks. This will allow us to delve deeper into the business domain and become subject matter experts. The integration of QA and BA roles will lead to more effective testing and better alignment with business objectives.

IWC: Can you share a project or bug fix that made you particularly proud, and how do you stay current with the latest QA trends and technologies?

Marija: There are countless moments I’m proud of, but one that stands out was when I discovered a potential financial violation in a complex transaction flow. It was a challenging task, but I was determined to find the issue. The tools and technologies we use are essential for efficiency, but the real challenge lies in thinking outside the box and considering unexpected scenarios. QA trends remain consistent, focusing on achieving higher quality. AI adds a layer of complexity, but the core goal remains the same.

IWC: What’s your favorite quote or motto, and how do you ensure your skills remain relevant in the ever-evolving QA field?

Marija: “Possibilities are endless; the only limit is the one you set.” This motto drives me to continually seek new opportunities and challenges. I stay up to date with QA trends by following industry leaders, blogs, and publications. As automation becomes more prevalent, programming skills are crucial for writing test scripts and understanding development processes. My strong communication, critical thinking, and experience in various domains help me stay relevant and meet the high demands of today’s market.

Marija R. Trifunovska, QA Engineer with 12 years of experience

Zoran Dimitrovski, QA Engineer with 20 Years of Experience

IWC: What has been the most challenging aspect of your QA career, and how do you see the role of QA evolving in the coming years?

Zoran: The most challenging aspect of my QA career has been establishing recognition and respect for QA and testing among my colleagues and within the company. In the early days of my career, around 20 years ago, QA efforts were often viewed as a “side” task—something that could be handled by anyone. However, as more complex IT projects emerged, it became clear that a QA engineer is a professional role requiring specific education, skills, and a broad knowledge base. QA involves not only understanding business needs and requirements but also having deep technical expertise that aids in the faster development of IT systems serving both businesses and people. Looking ahead, the role of QA will become increasingly crucial in the development and support of IT systems. As AI and automation continue to grow, the “human touch” in QA will be essential to ensure that users—who are still predominantly human—can trust that the information they provide and receive is accurate and relevant to their needs.

IWC: After a long day, what’s your favorite way to unwind?

Zoran: I usually end my workday by watching the news. While it can be stressful, it’s important to stay informed. Afterward, I enjoy reading a good book before bed to relax.

IWC: What is your favorite part about working in QA, and what strategies do you use to ensure your testing is both effective and efficient?

Verica: I love contributing to solutions that improve the user experience. To ensure effective and efficient testing, I start by understanding the problem we’re solving. I focus on identifying potential risks, asking insightful questions, and fostering a productive work environment. Prioritization, clear documentation, and automation are also key strategies for optimizing my testing process.

IWC: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work, and how do you optimize your testing processes?

Verica: After work, my primary focus is on my family, leaving little time for hobbies at the moment. I love traveling with them and taking day trips to nearby destinations. My favorite activities include strength training and long walks, which help me maintain a healthy work-life balance.

I come from a town where clothing production is the main industry, and my grandfather was a tailor, in my younger days I enjoyed making my own clothes, and I hope to revisit this hobby once my children are a bit older.

To optimize testing, I analyze the entire software development lifecycle to identify the best integration points. I focus on gathering insights from testing processes, acting as a gatekeeper for quality, and incorporating testing early on. Choosing the right tools for test management and automation is also essential.

Verica Solin, QA Engineer with more than 15 Years Experience

Marko Churlinoski, Experienced QA Engineer with 8 Years of Experience

IWC: Can you describe a project or bug fix that you’re particularly proud of, and how do you ensure that your QA efforts align with overall project goals?

Marko: I’m proud of a JMeter script that helped a client avoid significant financial losses. The client faced issues with displaying correct product details, such as promotions, prices, and tags. At times, they were unknowingly selling products at a 30% loss. We developed a script that checked every single product and validated all parameters. It processed over 30,000 products in just two hours. To align QA efforts with project goals, I ensure a clear understanding of requirements, collaborate closely with stakeholders, prioritize testing based on business needs, and adapt QA processes to support key objectives.

IWC: Who is your role model, and how do you collaborate effectively with your teammates?

Marko: Steve Wozniak inspires me with his innovation, passion, and emphasis on collaboration. To collaborate effectively, I maintain clear communication, encourage open feedback, and ensure that everyone is aligned with the project goals. I prioritize transparency, offer support, and strive to create a positive and inclusive team atmosphere.

IWC: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your QA career, and how do you stay motivated and engaged in your work?

Marija: Throughout my QA career, I’ve encountered various challenges, such as quickly adapting to new tools, being the sole QA on projects, building custom automation frameworks, and performing detailed business analysis to understand complex processes and project logic. On the leadership side, mentoring team members while managing my own projects has required effective time management, which can also be challenging.

But one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been shifting the perception of QA from a secondary role to an integral component of project development by demonstrating tangible benefits of quality assurance through data-driven insights and measurable results. Seeing the positive impact, helping colleagues grow, and earning recognition motivates me.

What is your favorite place to relax, and what steps do you take to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Marija: My favorite place to relax is in Slepche village, where I enjoy peaceful morning walks or a quiet cup of coffee in the yard, surrounded by nature. Watching my kids play, and sometimes joining the game myself, recharges me, brings out my inner child, and fills me with laughter. These moments help me stay balanced, grounded, and refreshed.

Marija Ristevska, Experienced QA Engineer with 10 Years of Experience

Our dedicated QA team is committed to ensuring the highest quality standards in our software. Their expertise, passion, and dedication are invaluable to our organization. By understanding their experiences and motivations, we can appreciate the vital role they play in delivering exceptional products.