Higher Order Thinking Skills for SmartQA
16-week coaching program
Software development has come a long way, with powerful new technologies that offer substantial leverage in rapidly building rich and complex applications. But, QA seems still archaic, with practices still dinosaurian except for new tools added due to compulsions of tech. The QA community must embrace a smarter, modern approach that harnesses human and machine intelligence to elevate testing and assurance, achieving more with less.
The SmartQA objective is that by cultivating expansive systems thinking and focusing on business value, one can accomplish more; with higher efficiency. The community pursues to challenge the status quo and showcase that, to conduct value-added tests, we need to develop higher-order thinking skills.
Senior test practitioner with FIVE years of rich work experience.
and eager to enhance their QA practice.
can be part of the SmartQA community via this 16-week pro bono SmartQA Coaching.
So, what does this mean for you as a software test practitioner? The goal of this coaching is simple but powerful: to elevate thinking and deliver higher value. It means a chance to break free from the confines of traditional QA practices and embrace a more forward-thinking approach. It means elevating your skills and mindset to; not just be testers but enablers of valuable, cutting-edge software.
What’s truly unique is that it’s not your typical coaching or training regimen. There are no exams, no certifications to chase. The SmartQA Coaching program is quite flexible and accommodating. It’s all about reflection and learning.
Throughout this 16-week journey, you’ll have access to fortnightly interactive group sessions, where you can discuss your thoughts, learn from others, and find support. Additionally, a WhatsApp group will keep you connected for occasional interactions and notifications. This approach recognizes that verifiable growth comes from internalizing knowledge and applying it in real-world scenarios.
The SmartQA Coaching Program is designed to empower you to become a proactive and thoughtful tester. By applying Higher Order Thinking Skills to your work, you’ll elevate your testing practice, contribute to the QA community, and drive better results.
So, how does it work?
Each fortnight, you’ll receive thought-provoking Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) podcasts, carefully curated to inspire new perspectives and fresh ideas via associated articles, links, questions, videos, and audios,allowing participants to invest approximately one hour in reading or listening to the provided resources. Dive into these broad spectra of absorbing topics, and line up to challenge your current perspectives on testing. This approach recognizes that verifiable growth comes from internalizing knowledge and applying it in real-world scenarios.
After engaging with the podcasts and associated articles, it’s time to reflect. Ask yourself: How meaningful is this information? Can I relate it to my work? What benefits can I draw from it? This step is all about understanding how these insights can be applied to your testing projects.
With your reflections in mind, consider how you can put these new understandings into practice. Choose from different options – implement immediately, plan for future projects, acknowledge existing practices, or identify what might not work in your context.
Now it’s time to act! Create an action plan based on your realizations. Find specific areas in your work where you can apply the newfound insights within 2 to 3 weeks. Record your current baseline, implement the changes, and document the results for comparison.
Share your outcomes with the SmartQA community! Submit your results and present your learnings in a slide deck or google docs. Sharing your experiences not only helps others but also solidifies your own understanding.
Know your coach
