The Business of Software Testing

By Johan Steyn

For nearly a decade, I was employed by large consultancies and service providers, offering Software Quality Management services to a global customer base. Many of my strategic customers were in the Banking and Financial Services space. Working with these large providers, I was accustomed to a target-driven, fast-paced work life – one where business acumen and commercial savvy were part of everyday life.

However, my experience with many of my customers was quite frustrating. Many of these were test professionals who “came through the ranks” over the years and were now heading up QA/Testing capabilities. They often had excellent technical skills but little business understanding. Many considered QA/Testing to be a means to an end: risk mitigation, speed to market, cost management. Their approach was not driven by business and commercial principles, but often by technology, test tools and frameworks.

Nowadays, I work on “the other side of the fence” – I am now a customer of many of my previous employers and competitors. I therefore believe that I have unique insight into the world of Software Quality Management.

"The Business of Software Testing" is a must-read for all Software Quality Professionals. Why would you read this book? Are you a Software Quality Testing Professional, or keen to become one? Interested to learn more about the dynamics of our industry? Keen to grow as a leader with business acumen and commercial savvy? Want to know how vendors operate and how customers buy? Would you like insights into the future of Software Quality Management?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Johan Steyn
• Release date: Nov 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386724315

Book preview

The Business of Software Testing

The Business of Software Testing

Johan Steyn

This book is for sale at http://leanpub.com/thebusinessofsoftwaretesting

This version was published on 2017-11-11

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© 2017 Johan Steyn

Table of Contents

About the author

My other books

Dedication

1 A brave new world

2 Software testing is big business

3 Career navigation

4 The software shipyard - building our builders

5 Testing interns - thrown to the wolves

6 Buying software testing

7 Selling software testing

8 Starting your own testing business

Conclusion

About the author

Johan Steyn is a business development specialist who has been selling technology products and services in South Africa and in Europe over the last 20 years. Over the last decade his focus turned to the software quality assurance & testing market. He worked in senior roles for global consulting firms like SQS and Accenture, and is currently working at one of the largest banks in South Africa.

More info at thebusinessoftesting.com

My other books

More info at thebusinessoftesting.com

Dedication

I dedicate this book to all the young, enthusiastic and inspiring test professionals I worked with over the years. I trust that this book will help you in some way as you venture into the future.

I especially dedicate the book to my friend Gaven. We met when you were a young testing intern. I am proud of how far you have come.

1 A brave new world

The shifting sand under our