October 11, 1999

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Software Testers Make The Grade
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New Mantra: Usability Put Flawed Software To The Test

Moore says more software-development professionals have jumped into testing to take advantage of Y2K demands. But after Y2K work is over, the market could get much more competitive. "There may be a little bit of an oversupply come 2000 or 2001," Moore says.

While testing has gained respect, that doesn't always translate into new jobs in all IT departments. Ron Yust, director of information services for Empire District Electric Co. in Joplin, Mo., says quality assurance has gained a more significant role in software production. However, his 20-person IS shop can't afford to hire testers. Instead, he requires his programmers to carry out testing chores. Ten years ago, the stereotypical programmer worked in a windowless back room and was very protective of his programming from outside scrutiny, particularly any end-user kibitzing, Yust says. Now, given the importance of testing, Yust says, he won't hire any developers who are defensive about their programming or unwilling to go through the rigors of usability tests. "I look for programmers who will work with others and are into satisfying end-user critiques rather than defending their babies," he says.

Testing also provides an excellent path for breaking into software development. Though many testing jobs require advanced programming skills, lower-level testing positions require only a modicum of experience. That was the case for Microsoft's Baisch, who had never worked in the industry before being hired as a contract tester with Microsoft three years ago--though he had taught himself C and C++ to build computer games as a hobby.

Testing is a more-accessible profession for an inexperienced programmer because the code-writing demands for creating testing tools are far less complicated than those for a developer working on a sprawling application with multiple components and a team of dozens of programmers, Baisch says.

But testing isn't just a path to a more interesting job. Testers such as Preyna and Baisch are happy with their vocation. Preyna says testing provides more creative freedom than software programming says. Searching for programming bugs or analyzing the interworkings of an application are invigorating mental challenges, much like figuring out a jigsaw puzzle or solving a murder mystery, he adds.

Unlike programmers, who typically are focused on just one segment of a larger application, testers work on a variety of components within each application. This broader view leads to many interesting career challenges, Preyna says, and is good career-building experience.

Says Preyna: "Demand for testers might slow down a little bit after 2000, but I don't expect it to slow much because we have already proven our value."

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