A view from the outside

People who don’t come from IT often think of software testing as a blind spot - but there are skills behind it that go far beyond code. Recognizing patterns, filtering relevance, asking the right questions: What makes a good tester is amazingly similar to what counts in coaching or problem solving. And dealing with errors also follows a simple principle: if you take them seriously, you grow - if you patch them away, you build juggernauts.

Podcast Episode: A view from the outside

Katrin is an artist, coach and communication designer, and has also been my partner for several years. While my listeners and I are right in the thick of things, today Katrin takes a look at software testing from the outside. Because she is also involved in software testing. After all, she has been working with a software tester for 6 years. So she sees many parallels to the coaching profession and she sheds light on my passion - the podcast - as an outsider.

“If too perfect, dear God bad.” - Katrin Brackmann

Katrin Brackmann studied at the Folkwang Academy of the Arts in Essen. She created numerous internet presences for well-known companies and federal ministries and was one of the pioneers of the digital awakening at the beginning of 2000. Her cognitive science training (reality construction, psychology) is now incorporated into her work as an artist. “We do not see things as they are, but as we are.” This quote from the Talmud describes well the attitude with which Brackmann explores the boundaries of perception and world views in her paintings.

Highlights der Episode

• Software testing without clear clarification of the task is like coaching without a goal: you are solving the wrong problem.
• Testers recognize patterns, relevance and algorithms - in code as in airport chaos.
• Errors are levers for quality if you analyze them instead of burying them in the backlog.
• The trade-off between new features and maintainability decides between a juggernaut and a masterpiece.
• Early interaction with users beats even the most detailed specification - always.

The art of making mistakes

In this special podcast episode, I discuss with Katrin Brackmann, an artist with no direct connection to software testing, her perspective on the topic, the importance of mistakes and parallels between software testing and coaching. Katrin’s unique perspective offers interesting insights and emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes.

A perspective from the outside

Katrin brought a fresh perspective to the table. With no direct connection to software testing or the IT world, she offered valuable insights through her observations and experiences as someone who is familiar with the topic ‘second-hand’. Her approach to the topic of software testing was characterized by curiosity and a desire to learn more about how quality is practiced in other areas. Her stories about the challenges of explaining what her partner does for a living were both amusing and insightful.

The bridge between art and testing

Interestingly, Katrin drew parallels between her work as an artist and coach and software testing. She reflected on the coaching framework model and how similar approaches can be applied in software testing - particularly in terms of clarifying the brief and setting objectives. This comparison opened up a discussion about the transferability of methods between completely different disciplines.

Learning from mistakes

A central topic of our discussion was learning from mistakes. Katrin emphasized the importance of seeing mistakes as opportunities for improvement - an attitude that is valuable in both art and software testing. She shared personal anecdotes about how mistakes can open new paths and why it is crucial to give them space. These insights underscored the universal importance of a positive error culture for growth and innovation.

The heart of the podcast

Katrin asked me about my motivations for creating the ‘Software Testing’ podcast. I explained that my main motivation is to learn and share this knowledge. By talking to experts from the industry, I want to make information accessible and at the same time create a platform for exchange. The feedback from the community encourages me that this approach is valuable - both for me personally and for our listeners.

On the way to better quality

In summary, this conversation with Katrin shows that quality is a universal concept - regardless of the field. Her insights from outside the IT industry enrich our understanding of what it means to live quality. It also highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and constantly striving for improvement.