James Bach Why Testers Matter. Reasserting our role in the AI DevOps era

SUMMARY

James Bach, testing expert, discusses the value of skilled testers in an AI-driven world, emphasizing the necessity for critical thinking, empirical approaches, and independent roles in software testing.

IDEAS

• Testing ensures quality by seeking and finding defects, not merely assuming good results.
• Developers often lack time and motivation to perform thorough, unbiased testing.
• Independent testers maintain critical distance, providing unfiltered and honest product assessments.
• AI’s fragility and algorithmic obscurity make testing more essential than ever.
• Empirical approaches in testing uncover truths rather than relying on assumptions.
• Skilled testing requires specific expertise, beyond intuitive or amateur efforts.
• Testing reveals risks early, akin to a lookout spotting icebergs for the Titanic.
• The absence of strong testing leads to over-reliance on automation and shallow quality metrics.
• Session-based testing allows for accountability while maintaining flexibility.
• Certification like ISTQB often lacks validation of real testing skills and contributes minimally to the industry.
• Real-time exploratory testing generates deeper insights than scripted, procedural approaches.
• Test case documentation, though necessary in some contexts, can be replaced with lightweight methods.
• Analogies like insurance, journalism, and bodyguards help explain testing’s value to stakeholders.
• Tools and frameworks should assist testers, not attempt to replace them entirely.
• AI testing requires human oversight due to its inability to perform nuanced inquiry processes.
• Testing strategies must evolve with laws emphasizing software safety and liability.
• Crowdsourced testing is viable for early-stage startups but insufficient for high-risk industries.
• Testers’ unique mindsets make them more critical and skeptical compared to developers.
• Complex AI tools demand specialized skills, emphasizing the need for independent testers.
• Effective automation strategy incorporates human judgment at all critical junctures.

INSIGHTS

• Skilled, independent testers are irreplaceable for objective, thorough product evaluations.
• AI’s unpredictability highlights the need for human oversight in software testing.
• Empirical, critical approaches ensure testing uncovers defects beyond surface-level functionality.
• Test case documentation must balance utility with the cost of maintenance and flexibility.
• Testing as storytelling bridges technical findings with actionable business decisions.
• Testing should prioritize risk assessment, guiding businesses to preempt critical failures.
• Continuous learning and adaptability define a complete and effective tester.
• Exploratory testing fosters discovery and adapts seamlessly to changing software landscapes.
• Independent testers maintain objectivity, safeguarding against conflicts of interest.
• Testing tools should empower human testers, not supplant their critical judgment.

QUOTES

• “Testing is about preventing loss, not about making money.”
• “Developers assume tools work; testers confirm tools actually do.”
• “AI should be thought of as a precocious but irresponsible child.”
• “You can miss a lot of bugs by focusing only on sanity checks.”
• “Testers must actively seek trouble to uncover hidden risks.”
• “Good testers are motivated to test and are available to do so.”
• “Automation without human oversight leads to dangerous blind spots.”
• “A smoke alarm that doesn’t work appears fine when there’s no fire.”
• “Critical distance ensures testers can report unbiased findings.”
• “Testing should be exploratory first, moving toward scripted where necessary.”
• “To test AI effectively, one must understand its social and algorithmic challenges.”
• “AI-driven automation lacks judgment, making skilled human testers indispensable.”
• “The Titanic’s lookout wasn’t the captain—testers provide warnings, not steer ships.”
• “Crowdstrike’s failure wasn’t sudden; it resulted from prolonged neglect of testing.”
• “Testing laws are evolving to prioritize user safety and product reliability.”

HABITS

• Practice exploratory testing to foster adaptability and creativity.
• Regularly review and refine testing strategies based on evolving risks.
• Use lightweight, flexible documentation to balance accountability and agility.
• Engage in continuous learning through research, reading, and hands-on projects.
• Build a personal network of critical-thinking peers for collaboration.
• Record testing sessions to maintain evidence without excessive overhead.
• Experiment with different testing tools and frameworks to enhance productivity.
• Test AI systems through APIs to validate at scale and identify limitations.
• Develop analogies to articulate the value of testing to stakeholders.
• Leverage mind maps and visual tools to plan and document test strategies.
• Challenge and critique your test plans to uncover weaknesses.
• Balance exploratory and scripted testing based on context and project needs.
• Create scenarios to simulate real-world conditions in testing.
• Focus on storytelling when communicating test findings to stakeholders.
• Regularly practice coding and tool usage to improve technical testing skills.

FACTS

• AI’s “black box” nature makes algorithmic obscurity a core testing challenge.
• European Union’s Product Liability Directive emphasizes safety under foreseeable misuse.
• Continuous delivery workflows often sacrifice testing thoroughness for speed.
• Testers in medical devices rely on video evidence to meet regulatory requirements.
• AI struggles with inquiry, requiring supervision for complex testing tasks.
• Automated testing often misses nuanced bugs only humans can identify.
• Testing mindset differs fundamentally from development, emphasizing critical evaluation.
• Testing’s insurance-like role is about risk mitigation, not direct profit.
• Over-documentation in testing can lead to rigidity and wasted resources.
• Certifications like ISTQB lack rigorous validation of actual testing skills.
• Crowdsourced testing suits early stages but fails in high-stakes environments.
• Regression testing in AI is more challenging due to radical fragility.
• Testers bridge the gap between technical findings and business implications.
• Analogies help explain abstract testing concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Exploratory testing adapts to unknown variables, offering unique problem-solving potential.

REFERENCES

• 21 CFR 830 (regulation for medical device testing documentation).
• Session-based test management (original article by James Bach’s brother).
• European Union Product Liability Directive on software safety.
• JQ tool for handling JSON in testing scenarios.
• Playwright automation framework for scalable UI testing.
• Christina Soare’s portfolio of exploratory testing work.
• Hacker News as a source for updates on testing tools and trends.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Skilled, independent testers with critical thinking are irreplaceable for ensuring reliable, user-centric software in an AI-driven world.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Focus on identifying and mitigating risks to improve testing’s business relevance.
• Use exploratory testing to uncover hidden defects and adapt to evolving scenarios.
• Maintain critical distance to provide unbiased and truthful product evaluations.
• Engage in continuous learning to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.
• Build a portfolio showcasing testing expertise to stand out professionally.
• Implement session-based testing for structured yet flexible quality assurance.
• Use lightweight documentation methods like videos to streamline processes.
• Test AI systems rigorously via APIs to handle their algorithmic complexity.
• Develop analogies to articulate testing’s value to stakeholders effectively.
• Collaborate with peers to enhance skills and benchmark testing practices.
• Balance automation with manual testing to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Emphasize storytelling to communicate testing insights to non-technical teams.
• Practice using diverse tools and methodologies for comprehensive skill development.
• Stay updated with industry trends through forums, conferences, and communities.
• Advocate for testing’s value by framing it as critical for risk management.

https://youtu.be/c3lGaU6Tzzw?si=ccOnbEHa9ps2R67g