Quality Talks Podcast

Quality Talks Podcast

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Stu & Chris together, have more than 30 years combined experience in the quality, software testing and the general technology industry, and on the Quality Talks podcasts they will be discussing, along with special guests, all the hot topics on everyone minds.....and those that may not be :)

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The Small Changes Series: Ep2 - Adding Quality Without Slowing Teams Down

Summary In the 2nd episode of the Quality Talks Bitesize series: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference to Quality - hosts Stu and Chris discuss their tips on how to enhance quality in teams without causing delays. They explore the perception of quality as a friction point, the importance of focusing on flow rather than gates, and the need to shift conversations left in the development process. The hosts emphasise reducing unnecessary checks and adopting a positive communication approach to foster collaboration and efficiency. Takeaways Quality is often perceived as a friction point in teams.Focusing on flow rather than gates can enhance efficiency.Shifting conversations left helps prevent issues early on.Reducing checks can streamline the quality process.Saying "Yes...AND..." instead of no encourages open communication.Quality should be a continuous process, not a phase.Engaging in early conversations can align team goals.Understanding roles within the team enhances collaboration.Quality coaching is essential for team dynamics.Creating a culture of psychological safety improves communication. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Talks 01:15 Quality as a Friction Point 01:50 Focusing on Flow, Not Gates 06:32 Shifting Conversations Left 09:33 Reducing Rework Instead of Adding Checks 17:34 The Power of 'Yes, And' 25:46 Audience Question 26:29 End

27 min
11 FEB

Quality As A System: How Systemic Thinking Can Transform Quality ith Philippa Jennings

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Philippa Jennings delve into the intricate relationship between systems thinking and quality. They explore how quality is not merely a function of testing but a holistic system that involves people, processes, and culture. Philippa shares her insights on the importance of psychological safety, effective communication, and the need for collaboration across teams. The conversation emphasises the significance of understanding the problem before seeking solutions and the role of leadership in fostering a culture that prioritises quality. Key takeaways include the need for feedback loops, the impact of metrics on behaviour, and the importance of defining quality within an organisation. Takeaways Quality does not equal testing; it's a holistic system.Psychological safety is essential for open communication.Collaboration should be prioritised over individual metrics.Understanding the problem is crucial before finding solutions.Feedback loops are vital for continuous improvement.Culture and values significantly influence team behaviour.Metrics should encourage quality, not just speed or quantity.Testing should focus on baking quality in from the start.Effective communication goes beyond just moving tickets.Leadership plays a key role in shaping quality culture. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Systems Thinking 03:04 Philippa Jennings: Journey into Quality and Testing 05:52 Shift Left: Understanding the Concept and Its Implications 08:28 Quality as a System: Exploring Systemic Quality 11:17 The Seven Parts of Quality as a System 16:23 The Importance of People in Quality Systems 21:55 Understanding Problems: The Key to Quality 27:06 Processes and Workflows: Ensuring Quality Throughout 32:45 The Role of Technology and Tools in Quality 38:35 Conclusion: The Future of Quality in Systems Thinking 41:08 The Impact of Tools on Work Processes 42:07 Understanding Feedback Loops 46:40 The Importance of Monitoring and Metrics 50:29 Cultivating a Culture of Psychological Safety 01:02:46 Leadership and Decision-Making in Quality 01:10:22 Key Takeaways for Quality Improvement 01:16:32 Close

1 h y 17 min
4 FEB

The Small Changes Series: Ep1 - Making Quality Visible

Summary Introducing a new Quality Talks Podcast bitesize series focusing on Small Changes That Make a Big Difference To Quality In this 1st episode - Making Quality Visible, Chris and Stu share their top tips on how you can do this which include, the importance of reporting on impact rather than just activity, visualising risk, making quality conversations unavoidable, and the significance of delivering bad news calmly. Takeaways Stop reporting activity and report on impact.Visualising risk is crucial for understanding quality.Make quality conversations unavoidable.Don't be afraid to share bad news early.The art of storytelling makes quality relatable.Understanding your audience is key to effective communication.Quality advocates should encourage discussions at all levels.Feedback, whether good or bad, is essential for growth.Calmly delivering bad news builds confidence in your audience.Quality conversations should be integrated into all aspects of the organisation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Bite-Sized Series 01:37 Reporting Impact vs. Activity 06:33 Visualising Risk in Quality 11:39 Making Quality Conversations Unavoidable 16:44 Sharing Bad News Calmly 25:37 Challenge for the Audience 26:29 End

27 min
28 ENE

Feeling Behind With AI? Don't Panic, You Are Not Alone - with Ash Gawthorp

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Ash Gawthorp discuss the rapid changes in the tech industry driven by AI advancements. They explore the implications of Andrej Karpathy's tweet expressing feelings of inadequacy among programmers, the evolving nature of software development, and the critical role of testing in ensuring quality in AI-driven systems. The conversation emphasises the importance of human oversight, the need for explicit verification, and the evolving dynamics between developers and testers in a landscape where AI is increasingly taking on coding tasks. Key insights highlight the value of existing software testing skills in navigating this new environment and the necessity of adapting to maintain confidence in software outputs. Useful Links: Ten10 Website: https://ten10.com/ Ash Gawthorp's Article: https://ten10.com/blog/why-software-testing-just-became-the-most-important-skill-in-technology/ Andrej Kaparthy's Tweet: https://x.com/karpathy/status/2004607146781278521 Boris Cherny Tweet: https://x.com/bcherny/status/2004887829252317325 Takeaways Many in tech feel overwhelmed by rapid AI advancements.Andrej Karpathy's tweet resonated with many programmers.The pace of change in software development is unprecedented.Testing is crucial in AI-driven development environments.Human oversight is essential in AI applications.Testers have a unique skill set that is increasingly valuable.Observability and testability are paramount in AI systems.The role of the verifier is becoming more important than the builder.Imposter syndrome is common among experienced professionals.Continuous quality is vital in software development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Tech Landscape in 2026 02:50 The Impact of AI on Software Development 06:14 The Shift in Software Development Workflows 10:22 The Non-Deterministic Nature of AI 11:33 Building Confidence in AI Outputs 15:34 The Role of Testing in AI Development 17:27 The Importance of Skepticism in Testing 21:25 Prompt Engineering and Its Challenges 22:52 Verification and Observability in AI Systems 28:05 Human Oversight in AI Development 31:45 The Evolving Role of Testers 37:06 The Future of Software Development and Testing 43:59 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts 49:52 Close

50 min
14 ENE

Conversations Before Code: Avoiding the Automation First Trap with Megan Ozanne

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Megan Ozanne discuss the pitfalls of an automation-first approach in software testing. They explore the importance of team communication, identifying pain points, and building a capable team. Megan shares her insights on developing an automation-first maturity model, engaging with stakeholders, and measuring impact. The conversation also touches on improving communication through techniques like the Three Amigos approach, capturing conversations in tickets, and navigating pushback from leadership. Megan emphasises the need for empathy in leadership and the challenges of remote work, concluding with key takeaways for listeners. Takeaways Start with the conversations, not the test suites.Fix the conversations that the teams are having.It's all about conversations.Engage with stakeholders to drive change.Everyone's opinion is valid, even if it's not the path you want to go down.Gather as much data as you can beforehand.Visibility and communication are key.Develop an automation first maturity model.Measure impact through storytelling, not just metrics.Empathy is crucial in leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Talks Podcast 01:49 Understanding the Automation First Trap 04:06 Challenges in Automation Implementation 06:00 The Importance of Team Communication 10:14 Gathering Insights from Team Members 11:35 Using Maturity Models for Team Development 14:20 Engaging with Stakeholders Effectively 17:35 Measuring Impact and Metrics 18:28 Improving Communication with Three Amigos 23:21 Navigating Remote Work Dynamics 27:26 Building Empathy in Leadership 31:20 Conversations with Senior Leadership 35:02 The Challenges of Remote Conversations 38:55 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts 40:45 End

41 min
30/12/2025

Ask Us Anything: Predictions & Plans for 2026

Summary In this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers. They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality engineering and testing for 2026. Takeaways 2025 has been a year of significant growth for the podcast.Engagement from listeners has remained high throughout the year.Mental health challenges in the workplace are prevalent and need addressing.Control the controllables to navigate mental checkouts.Metrics should tell a story, not just be numbers.AI is a tool, but community will shape our careers.Human interaction will be crucial in the tech industry moving forward.Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in a rapidly changing environment.Effective communication is key to influencing teams and driving change.Leadership in quality requires a broad understanding of various disciplines. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year in Review 21:44 Navigating Mental Checkouts in the Workplace 28:26 The Role of Metrics in Quality Assurance 34:38 AI vs Community: The Future of Careers 36:02 Embracing AI: The Community's Role 46:30 The Future of Work: Human Interaction and AI 56:51 Trends in Quality Engineering: Skills for 2026 01:07:19 Closing out 2025

1 h y 8 min
17/12/2025

Managed By Morons: Lessons of Leadership with James Lawther

Summary In this episode Stu Day and special guest James Lawther (author of ‘Managed by Morons’) discuss the intricacies of leadership and management, drawing from personal experiences and insights from James's book. They explore the importance of learning from bad leadership, the need for psychological safety in organisations, and the balance between effectiveness and efficiency. The discussion emphasises the significance of understanding systems within organisations, the impact of bonus-driven development, and the necessity of a customer-centric approach. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of building trust and fostering a culture that encourages open communication and continuous learning. Takeaways Leadership is about creating a culture of trust.You learn more from bad experiences than good ones.Management is straightforward but often poorly executed.Focus on effectiveness, not just efficiency.Psychological safety is crucial for open communication.The system must be managed, not just the people.Long-term thinking leads to better outcomes.Measurement can drive the wrong behaviours.AI should be used to solve real problems, not just for the sake of it.What kind of legacy do you want to leave as a leader? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Book 03:02 The Journey of Writing and Blogging 05:57 Learning from Bad Leadership 08:47 The Importance of Systems in Leadership 11:33 Case Studies and Real-World Examples 14:28 The Impact of Incentives on Team Dynamics 17:15 Psychological Safety in the Workplace 21:34 Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication 22:40 The Swiss Cheese Model: Learning from Mistakes 27:01 Connecting Experiences Across Industries 29:11 Admitting Failure: A Key to Improvement 31:46 Understanding Purpose in Business 36:55 The Dangers of Target-Driven Culture 41:05 The Importance of Systems Thinking 45:44 Optimising Systems Over Individual Performance 48:23 The Impact of Systemic Issues on Operations 51:30 The Cost of Short-Term Thinking 53:45 The Balance Between Efficiency and Effectiveness 56:36 Learning from Failures in Organisations 01:01:33 Building Trust in Leadership 01:03:14 Legacy and Leadership: What Will You Be Remembered For? 01:05:07 Show Close

1 h y 5 min
07/12/2025

Context is Everything: The Power & Impact Of Words with Vernon Richards

Summary In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and special guest Vernon Richards delve into the complexities of language and terminology in the field of quality. They discuss the importance of understanding context, the impact of personal experiences on language interpretation, and the need for intentional communication. The conversation highlights common triggering phrases, the role of active listening, and the significance of reframing language to foster better discussions. Listeners are encouraged to be mindful of their words and to engage in open dialogues to navigate misunderstandings effectively. Useful Links: Credibility Playbook for Testers Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition Situation Behaviour Impact model: Takeaways Language in quality is complex and varies across organisations.Misunderstandings often arise from different interpretations of the same terms.Active listening and open questions can enhance communication.Context is crucial in understanding the meaning behind words.Reframing triggering language can lead to more productive conversations.Intent behind words can change their impact significantly.Quality is a shared responsibility among all team members.Feedback loops are more effective than rigid quality gates.Personal experiences shape how we interpret language.Difficult conversations are necessary for growth and understanding. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Energy Boost 01:13 The Importance of Language in Quality 03:07 Navigating Misunderstandings in Quality Terminology 10:44 Understanding Different Perspectives in Quality Conversations 14:35 Influencing Change Through Effective Communication 19:13 Reframing Language to Reduce Triggers 25:38 The Role of Context in Quality Discussions 30:08 Feedback Loops vs. Quality Gates 36:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations 39:08 Understanding Triggers in Communication 43:53 The Complexity of Language and Intent 49:10 Identifying Triggering Words 55:54 Mindfulness in Language Use

1 h y 8 min

Stu & Chris together, have more than 30 years combined experience in the quality, software testing and the general technology industry, and on the Quality Talks podcasts they will be discussing, along with special guests, all the hot topics on everyone minds.....and those that may not be :)

Creador

Quality Talks Podcast
Años de actividad

2024 - 2026
Episodios

40
Clasificación

Explícito
Copyright

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Quality Talks Podcast