Quality Talks Podcast

Quality Talks Podcast

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 :)

  1. 5D AGO

    The Future of Quality Engineering with Jagrit Gyawali

    Summary In this episode, Stuart Day hosts Jagrit Gyawali for a conversation on the evolving role of quality engineering, leadership, and cultural change within tech organisations. Together, they explore the importance of soft skills, team dynamics, and fostering a shared sense of quality across teams. They also discuss the growing impact of AI on QA, practical ways to understand and measure quality within different organisational contexts, and how teams can embrace continuous improvement in an ever-changing technology landscape. Key Topics The evolution from “testing” to quality engineeringWhy soft skills are massively underrated in techBuilding quality as a shared team responsibilityGrowing junior talent and creating opportunitiesLeadership, influence, and cultural changeAI, automation, metrics, and measuring what really matters Chapters 00:00 Mental Health Awareness and its Importance 02:34 Introduction to Jagrit Gyawali and His Journey 05:16 Jagrit's Origin Story and Career Path 09:36 The Value of Practical Training in Quality Engineering 14:22 Evolution of Quality Engineering 20:20 The Holistic Approach to Quality Engineering 25:07 The Importance of Diverse Skills in QA 28:48 The Future of QA and Embracing Change 29:00 Diverse Backgrounds in Quality Assurance 32:36 The Importance of Soft Skills 36:51 Proactive Capability Building 39:31 Influencing Cultural Change in Leadership 44:20 Understanding Context and Empathy in Quality 49:54 Measuring Value and Quality in Teams 56:38 Understanding Test Coverage and Confidence 59:00 Feedback Loops and Quality Assurance 01:01:11 Technical Debt and Bug Clusters 01:04:05 The Role of AI in Software Development 01:10:04 Investing in People vs. Technology 01:12:21 The Future of QA in an AI-Driven World 01:23:14 Closing things out

    1h 24m

  2. MAY 6

    The Power of Community: We Are In This Together with Drew Pontikis

    Summary In this episode, Stu Day and special guest Drew Pontikis explore the essence of communities, their value, and how to build and nurture them within organisations and beyond. Drew shares insights from his extensive experience in community building, social learning, and leadership, offering practical tips for fostering inclusive, engaging, and meaningful communities. Key  topics What is community? How communities evolve and their valueDrew's journey from testing to community leadershipSocial learning and its role in community engagementStrategies for building inclusive and sustainable communitiesThe value creation model in community developmentPractical tips for starting and growing communities within organisations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Community Building 05:11 Transitioning to Engineering Management 09:57 Defining Community 19:25 Creating Value in Communities 26:51 Value Creation Model in Community Learning 38:31 Reimagining Panel Discussions 45:00 Facilitating Inclusive Conversations 52:01 Building Community Connections 58:57 The Role of Vulnerability in Community Building 01:05:12 Encouraging Participation in Communities 01:11:02 Learning Beyond Comfort Zones 01:17:13 Closing Credits Resources: Drew Pontikis: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drew-pontikis-21aab060 Website: https://by-people-for-people.beehiiv.com/ Books: Belonging: Unlock Your Potential with the Ancient Code of Togetherness https://amzn.eu/d/0c4LJiOT Learning to Make a Difference: Value Creation in Social Learning Spaces https://amzn.eu/d/08GpZiiW Building Successful Communities of Practice https://amzn.eu/d/0dgOehUt

    1h 18m

  3. APR 22

    You're Not Ready For Quality Engineering with Callum Akehurst-Ryan

    Summary In this episode, host Stu Day welcomes Callum Akehurst-Ryan to the show to discuss the uncomfortable truths about the quality engineering profession, the need for testers to evolve into generalists, and the impact of AI on the industry.  Callum shares insights from his keynote talk at PeersCon, emphasising the importance of addressing long-standing issues in quality engineering and the necessity for professionals to broaden their knowledge base to remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Key Topics Industry challenges in quality engineeringThe impact of AI on testing rolesThe importance of systemic thinking in quality assurance pragmatism in Quality EngineeringWorking with uncertainty and ambiguityThe power of language and terminologyBuilding trust and influencing changeIncremental approaches to organisational Improvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 04:30 Uncomfortable Truths in Quality Engineering 12:15 The Role of Quality Engineering in Modern Development 19:45 The Need for Generalists in Quality Engineering 28:48 Developing a Broad Knowledge Base in Quality Engineering 30:07 Inquisitiveness and Team Collaboration 32:36 Continuous Learning and Skill Development 35:39 Embracing a Growth Mindset 40:09 The Shift in Testing Roles 42:48 Defining Quality and Value 46:18 Working with Uncertainty and Influence 54:14 Navigating Terminology in Testing 56:41 The Role of Quality Coaching 01:00:24 Building a Collaborative Mindset 01:05:28 Reframing Quality Gates 01:10:18 The Impact of Memes on Perception 01:13:07 The Future of Quality Engineering 01:19:23 End Resources: Callum’s Website: https://cakehurstryan.com/ Callum’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cakehurstryan

    1h 20m

  4. APR 15

    Quality Through a Different Lens: What Movies Teach Us About Quality Engineering

    Summary In this episode, Stu Day explores the fascinating parallels between popular movies and quality engineering concepts using ChatGPT. Through a fun experiment, he discusses how films like Jurassic Park, The Matrix, Apollo 13, Moneyball, and The Dark Knight illustrate key principles such as system complexity, perception, resilience, meaningful metrics, and unpredictability. Key  Topics Movie metaphors for quality engineeringSystem complexity and overconfidencePerception versus reality in system monitoringResilience and response to failureMeaningful metrics versus vanity metricsChaos versus control in system testing Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Quality Engineering 03:07 Jurassic Park: Complexity and Overconfidence 07:11 The Matrix: Illusion of Visibility 11:03 Apollo 13: Resilience in Failure 15:44 Moneyball: Meaningful Metrics 20:59 The Dark Knight: Chaos and Unpredictability 25:23 Conclusion and Community Engagement 29:34 End Movie Resource Links: Jurassic Park (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/ The Matrix (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ Apollo 13 (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/ Moneyball (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210166/ The Dark Knight (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

    30 min

  5. APR 8

    From The Royal Air Force to Leading Quality with Stephen Platten

    Summary In this episode Stu Day welcomes Stephen Platten to explore his unique journey from the RAF to software testing, uncovering lessons in leadership, quality, and adaptability that can transform your approach to testing and management. Stephen shares insights on community building, the application of stoic philosophy in testing, and navigating the challenges of AI in the industry. He emphasises the importance of control, organic growth, and resilience in professional development. Discussion Topics: Transition from military to software testing Leadership and trust in teams Lessons in quality engineering and testing strategies Community of practice and organic growth Stoic philosophy applied to testing and industry challenges Managing AI and technological change in testing environments Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Talks Podcast 02:01 Meet Stephen Platten: A Journey from RAF to QA 03:27 Early Days in the RAF: Lessons in Quality 13:15 Transitioning to Civilian Life: From RAF to Software Testing 18:30 Key Lessons and Skills from Military to QA 22:37 Expectations and Communication in the Workplace 25:39 Structure and Freedom in Testing 26:23 Pragmatism in Leadership 30:10 Leadership Lessons from the Military 35:22 Empowering Teams and Mentorship 39:29 Building Communities of Practice 46:02 Navigating Community Engagement Challenges 48:17 The Journey into Stoicism 56:14 The Role of Community in Testing 01:02:13 Adapting to AI in Testing 01:14:10 The Unique Mindset of Testers 01:20:41 End Resources: Stephen Platten on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/stephenplatten

    1h 21m

  6. APR 1

    The Small Changes Series: Ep5 - 5 Steps To Prevent Burnout

    Summary: In this episode, Stu Day explores practical strategies to prevent burnout, emphasising self-awareness, reflection, boundary-setting, and maintaining curiosity. Learn how small daily changes can significantly improve your well-being and sustain high-quality work. Key Take-aways: Acknowledging signals of burnout is the first step to prevention.Regular reflection helps identify patterns and early warning signs.Using tools like the stress bucket and zone model can aid in managing stress.Setting clear boundaries in work hours and communication prevents overwork.Maintaining curiosity keeps your professional role engaging and sustainable. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Burnout Prevention 01:42 Acknowledging and Reflecting on Feelings 05:31 Getting Things Out of Your Head 13:36 Setting Clear Boundaries 19:51 Reach Out & Ask For Help 23:49 Protecting Your Curiosity 26:23 Be At One With Yourself 28:13 Bringing It All Together 30:42 Self Reflection Questions 33:20 Wrapping Up This Series 34:06 End Resources: More on the Stress Bucket, Zone Model and Micro Behaviours can be found in this blog post: https://medium.com/quality-talks/emotional-intelligence-and-micro-behaviours-building-a-culture-of-care-in-tech-leadership-c0da968425dc

    35 min

  7. MAR 25

    Embracing Creativity: Squiggly Lives Over Squiggly Careers with Luke Lattimer-Rogers

    Summary: In this engaging episode, host Stu Day chats with special guest Luke Lattimer-Rogers about squiggly lives and careers, systems thinking, creativity, and the importance of embracing a non-linear approach to professional growth. They explore how diverse experiences and a humanistic perspective can enhance quality and innovation in tech, and much more. Key Takeaways: Squiggly lives over squiggly careers Systems thinking in tech and quality The role of creativity and storytelling The importance of diverse experiences and learning loops Leadership and organisational culture for squiggly careers Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Squiggly Lives 02:51 The Concept of Squiggly Lives 05:30 Creativity in Careers 08:27 Understanding the Audience 11:11 Bringing Squiggly Lives into Quality 14:14 The Human Element in Quality 17:01 Personal Squiggly Experiences 19:42 Career Progression and Flexibility 22:38 Apprenticeships and Learning 25:13 Team Collaboration and Communication 28:11 The Value of Listening and Observing 36:09 Embracing T-Shaped Teams and Squiggly Careers 37:45 Incentivising Employee Retention and Growth 40:00 The Importance of Mentorship and Cross-Department Collaboration 41:51 Creating a Safe Space for Creativity and Learning 44:43 The Role of Education in Fostering Creativity 48:15 Encouraging Creative Thinking in Tech 52:16 The Value of Failure and Resilience in Creativity 57:52 Diverse Perspectives for Better Outcomes 01:01:25 The Importance of Shadowing and Understanding Roles 01:06:18 Designing Systems for Squiggly Careers Resource Links: Luke Lattimer-Rogers LinkedIn Page: ⁠linkedin.com/in/luke-lattimer-rogers-86461931⁠ Luke's article on squiggly lives: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/squiggly-lives-over-careers-luke-lattimer-rogers-rtole/ Lukes Books - Wisdom of Mud: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GK57QQ17?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=saga_dp_ss_dsk_sdp&qid=1774349781&sr=8-1

    1h 15m

  8. MAR 18

    The Small Changes Series: Ep 4 - Recognising The Signals Of Burnout

    Summary In episode 4 of “The Small Changes” Bitesize Series, Stu Day explores the emotional side of being a quality professional, focusing on burnout signs, causes, and the importance of mental health for quality professionals. Learn how to recognise early warning signs and triggers so that you can act to prevent burnout and maintain high standards along with your own & team well-being. Takeaways 1. Burnout often starts with good intentions and overcommitment. 2. Loss of curiosity is a key sign of emotional fatigue. 3. Feeling responsible for everything can lead to burnout. 4. Constant firefighting drains mental and emotional energy. 5. Early recognition of signs can prevent long-term damage. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Quality Talks Podcast 01:17 Understanding Burnout in Quality Professionals 04:32 The Good Intentions Behind Burnout 08:22 Signs of Burnout: Loss of Curiosity 10:16 Feeling Overwhelmed by Responsibility 13:34 The Impact of Mental Fatigue 16:05 Emotional Shutdown and Disengagement 18:28 Recognising Signs in Yourself and Others 21:48 Reflection on Burnout and Mental Health 25:12 End Resources Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

    26 min
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About

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 :)

Information

  • Creator
    Quality Talks Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Quality Talks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Quality Talks Podcast