Marija Ristevska has been with the company for eight years now, steadily ascending the ladder of growth. Her unwavering commitment to acquiring new knowledge in computer science, mastering new skills, and advancing in the field of Quality Assurance has propelled her to the esteemed position of Lead QA Consultant. In the upcoming lines, you can explore her journey to achieving this role by reading her story.
When did you become part of ⋮IWConnect?
I become part of ⋮IWConnect back in 2015. Looking back, I can’t believe it has been that long.
How did you become a Lead QA Consultant?
By putting a lot of love into all my endeavors, along with passion, diligence, steadfast devotion, and persistent determination to accomplish goals, and upskilling myself with knowledge in addition to honoring the principles of generosity and empathy and remaining loyal through a time facing challenges, I was able to become a software testing consultant, and the additional expertise and experience of working on a lot of interesting projects led me to the positions of Lead QA consultant in test automation and QA consulting services.
What’s your specialty in QA?
I take great pride in my diverse approach to Quality Assurance. While I have a variety of specializations, I also have an advantage in fully committing to assignments and developing a more in-depth understanding. This empowers me to offer detailed insights and troubleshooting expertise about various aspects of QA.
Key projects or challenges you’ve tackled?
There are many examples, yet I’ll highlight a particular project where I led a team despite my own limited experience and expertise. I quickly adjusted and acquired understanding of the project, aiming to provide immediate results and value to the client. Additionally, I’d also point out the managing demanding clients and earning their reliance. I transformed these situations, fostering complete confidence and maintaining excellent communication.
What does it take to lead a QA team successfully?
Successfully leading a team, whether in QA or any field, involves crucial principles: providing robust support, sharing knowledge, listening actively, and promoting the sharing of ideas. Furthermore, a critical aspect involves precisely assessing individuals’ skills and abilities to appropriately assign tasks, while also granting recognition and motivation to raise their spirits and motivation. Fostering a collaborative atmosphere led to collective success. Together, you fight battles and celebrate victories, united by a foundation of mutual support.
Preferred testing methodologies or tools?
I think it’s essential to adjust the selection of testing methods and tools according to the unique demands of each project. It’s crucial to evaluate the project’s needs, objectives, and limitations before choosing the most appropriate strategy. Flexibility is significant, and I’m comfortable adapting to different methodologies and tools.
How do you ensure that QA professionals on your team stay motivated and upskill themselves?
Occasionally entrust them with significant responsibilities, having faith that they can succeed with assistance when required, and acknowledging their achievements. Equally vital, as a leader, you stand at the forefront during challenging periods, demonstrating the importance of courage. This inspiration motivates the team to imitate or exceed expectations. Promote transparent communication, encouraging them to openly share the challenges they encounter.
Describe a client’s challenge that turned into a QA success story.
We were lacking an on-site QA Lead who could ensure prompt communication and uphold QA principles by advocating for our rights, perspectives, and demands. In this demanding scenario, our objective was to build their confidence, demonstrate our remarkable achievements, present evidence of enhancements and fresh ideas. Gradually, we managed to establish ourselves as a leading QA influence, where our insights are respected and valued.
How are you and your team gearing up for the thrilling QA challenges of the future?
We recognize that technology is ever evolving, with new upgrades emerging daily. We consistently strive to stay up to date with technology, continuously exploring new possibilities, all the while preserving our uniqueness in the fields where we excel. We are committed to developing, enhancing, and promoting our core expertise, along with our accumulation of unique concepts. This ensures that we always have something to support clients and remain steadfast in times of difficulties.
If you could reinvent one facet of QA in IT, what would it be, and why?
If I had the opportunity to reinvent one facet of QA, I would focus on the approach to measuring success concerning the frequently underestimated importance of QA and the perception of exclusivity surrounding it. Beyond the quantitative metrics, I would emphasize the qualitative aspects that often go unnoticed. My proposal involves integrating the necessary analysis, delving into the depth of identified bugs and the efforts required for reproduction, the dynamics of changes, the complexity of testing for a specific change, and the incorporating CI/CT.
This approach should cover the ways in which QA influences client goals, user satisfaction, cost reduction, rework mitigation, and overall product quality. A strategy like this would promote closer alignment between QA and the project’s wider goals, granting a more transparent understanding of how QA effectively contributes to project accomplishments as a domain with distinct expertise.
