This Week in Quality

Ministry of Testing
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Stay up to date with the world of software testing, quality assurance, and quality engineering. This Week in Quality is your weekly podcast from the Ministry of Testing community, hosted by Simon Tomes and joined by testing professionals from across the MoTaverse. 🎙️ Tune in for thoughtful conversations, testing news, and community insights covering everything from QA trends to quality engineering practices. Whether you're a software tester, QA specialist, quality engineer or quality advocate, this welcoming space will help you stay informed and connected to the wider community. Join the live session every Friday or catch up on past episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. 1D AGO

    TWiQ: Testing in production - EP 107

    In episode 107, the very first under the new name This Week in Quality, co-hosts Demi Van Malcot and Simon Tomes “test in production” as the show moves to a brand-new hosting platform for the first time. They celebrate the rebrand from This Week in Testing to This Week in Quality, exploring what the shift means for the community and why it reflects the growing focus on quality as a whole-system mindset. Joining them on stage, Eamon Droko, Heleen Van Grootven, Ben Dowen, Ady Stokes, and Nataliia Burmei share their post-MoTaCon reflections, from crafting tables and karaoke moments to first-time talks, community stars, and the power of connection. Together, they test out the new Wistia platform live, find a few bugs along the way, and prove that quality is as much about learning, experimenting, and laughing together as it is about software.

    56 min

  2. SEP 26

    Quality people, all aboard the TestBash train! - Ep 106

    In episode 106 of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Simon Tomes and Ben Dowen look ahead to TestBash Brighton with slide-writing crunch, laptop tips for workshops, and the new Leading with Quality notebook. They also celebrate the buzz of MoT meetups and remind listeners how stepping on stage, even for a 99-second talk, can grow confidence and connection. Joining them on stage, Maithi Chun shares her motivation and learning journey, Ady Stokes brings stories from Test Up North and the roots of accessibility, and Iziren John Chima sparks a lively discussion on taking lead roles without manager pay. Together, they mix career advice, community laughs, and practical tips that show why quality people gather.

    52 min

  3. SEP 19

    The quality conversation is real, the AI hype isn't - Ep 105

    In episode 105 of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Nataliia Burmei and Oleksandr Romanov contrast the reality of quality conversations with the hype of AI. Oleksandr shares upcoming MoT events in Valencia, Leeds, and Brighton, while Natalia reflects on the joy of in-person meetups and community memories. Their weeks in testing highlight the value of visualization: from earning the Software Testing Essentials Certificate to using diagrams and AI tools to clarify complex systems. On stage, Ben Dowen introduces the capture–review–update cycle for building shared understanding. Preeti Gupta brings energy from the London MoT Meetup, while Christine Pinto talks quality coaching, preparing conference talks, and excitement for TestBash Brighton. The conversation loops back to AI: the hype around tools like v0 and the steady reminder that while tools evolve, human collaboration, critical thinking, and communication remain at the heart of testing. Together, they explore how testers balance new tools with timeless skills, proving again that quality conversations are very real, even when the AI buzz feels less so. #AIInTesting #QualityCoaching #Visualization #DiagramsAndModels #CommunityMeetups #TestBashBrighton #MoTEvents #Collaboration #CriticalThinking

    53 min

  4. SEP 12

    Embracing chaos with the MoTaverse by your side - Ep 104

    In episode 104 of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Demi Van Malcot and Simon Tomes embrace the chaos of testing life with the support of the MoTaverse. Demi shares a week filled with laptop migrations, budget cuts, and the upcoming loss of a quality manager. This sparks up conversations about how testers can step up, share responsibility, and keep quality work from falling through the cracks. Simon highlights fresh community content, from Rahul Parwal’s Advanced Prompting for Testers course to Ady Stokes’ new article on testing mindsets. On stage, Eamon Droko talks about the highs and lows of his first month in a new role, leaning on the community to break through a rut. Ady expands on the 11 mindsets behind “I Think, Therefore I Test” and floats ideas for games, talks, and more ways to explore them. Gary Hawkes shares lessons from influencing product direction and reflects on team resilience when leaders leave. From Worldwide Tester Day celebrations to TestBash prep, this episode shows how community support turns uncertainty into opportunity, and how the MoTaverse has your back when work gets messy. #TestingCommunity #QualityEngineering #TestLeadership #ThisWeekInTesting

    51 min

  5. SEP 5

    Everyone’s invited to the QA Party! - Ep 103

    In episode 103 of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Ben Dowen and Judy Mosley throw “Everyone’s invited to the QA Party!” Judy shares solo-QA tactics like a fun QA Slack channel and “Today is…” prompts that spark team chatter. Ben talks about getting developers into exploratory testing and his first look at Mac desktop automation. Guests Nataliia Burmei and Yudit Sharabi add real-world lessons. Nataliia contrasts fast delivery feedback with slow-burn strategy work. Yudit explains “testing without testers” at a startup, from process upgrades to whole-company QA parties. The group swaps tips on starting quality conversations and using AI to reduce draining tasks and improve code reviews. #TestingCommunity #QualityEngineering #TestAutomation #ThisWeekInTesting

    51 min

  6. AUG 29

    Tired of ISTQB? Take the STEC path! Ep 102

    In episode 102 of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Simon Tomes and Sarah Deery shine the spotlight on the launch of the Software Testing Essentials Certificate (STEC) — lovingly nicknamed STEC by the community. Sarah shares the years-long journey that led to its creation, from identifying gaps in existing training to surveying over 160 juniors and managers, and finally co-creating a curriculum with 59 contributors across the globe. Simon reflects on reviewing the lessons, the power of asking the right questions, and why the “portfolio of work” makes STEC different from traditional certificates. Ady Stokes joins to describe his role in shaping the article content and explains how STEC goes deeper than any other introduction to testing, covering not just techniques but also storytelling, communication, and critical thinking. Maneesh Maddala jumps in with questions about localisation, AI, and the future of certifications. The live chat adds humour and energy — from Rosie Sherry’s breaking news that she passed the exam, to debates about whether Ady should sit the test he helped write, to ideas about bug-hunting Easter eggs hidden in certificates. Whether you’re tired of the old ISTQB path, curious about how STEC was built, or just want to hear community voices reflect on shaping the future of testing, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and plenty of laughs. #STEC #TestingCommunity #CareersInTesting #LearningAndDevelopment #ThisWeekInTesting

    53 min

  7. AUG 22

    TestBash: AI OK - Ep 101

    In this 101st episode of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Mariem Safi and Demi Van Malcot discuss their excitement and preparation for the upcoming TestBash conference in Brighton. The conversation also explores the current state of the testing industry, including the growing prominence of AI and the importance of professional development. Demi kicks off the discussion by sharing her experience balancing new projects and preparing for her first-ever conference talk, "How to Start Continuous Quality in Your Team." She reveals her nervousness but finds encouragement in the advice, "No one in the room wants you to fail." Mariem echoes her excitement, detailing her own TestBash preparations and the challenge of choosing which talks and workshops to attend from the packed schedule. Judy Mosley and Maneesh Maddala join the conversation on stage to share their perspectives. Judy highlights the value of the conference's focus on foundational skills and career development, noting her appreciation for the agenda's variety over an overemphasis on AI. Maneesh, unable to attend the conference in person, raises the question of live-streaming sessions for an international audience and shares his interest in talks about making work more visible and becoming a "testing generalist." Gary Hawkes, a TestBash newcomer like Mariem and Demi, joins the discussion and talks about his excitement for the event and his plan to meet as many people as possible. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion about creating a secret signal or sticker for This Week in Testing community members to recognise each other at the conference.

    52 min

  8. AUG 15

    Is your company tracking your AI usage? - Ep 100

    In this 100th episode of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Mariem Safi and Simon Tomes celebrate the milestone with a lively, wide-ranging conversation, from MCP server hype to the surprise reality of companies making AI usage mandatory, and even tracking it. Christine Pinto kicks things off with her experiences improving performance at Epic Test Quest and ponders how MCP servers could change testing workflows. Eamon Droko shares the big news of landing a new role, plus a teaser for his upcoming conference talk. Maneesh Maddala describes how his company connects MCP servers to tools like Figma and Asana, plus what happens when AI usage is monitored across an organisation. Ady Stokes spotlights the launch of the Software Testing Essentials Certificate (STEC), a project that was over a year in the making, while Gary Hawkes finally makes a successful live mic appearance. Ujjwal Kumar Singh rounds out the discussion with hands-on stories of switching from Gemini to Claude and evaluating LLMs for automation work. From tracking AI usage at work to exploring its practical testing applications, this episode blends milestone celebrations with future-focused debates, honest stories, and practical insights from across the MoTaverse! #AIinTesting #MCPServers #LLMUseCases #STEC #CareerGrowth #TestingCommunity #ThisWeekInTesting

    54 min
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About

Stay up to date with the world of software testing, quality assurance, and quality engineering. This Week in Quality is your weekly podcast from the Ministry of Testing community, hosted by Simon Tomes and joined by testing professionals from across the MoTaverse. 🎙️ Tune in for thoughtful conversations, testing news, and community insights covering everything from QA trends to quality engineering practices. Whether you're a software tester, QA specialist, quality engineer or quality advocate, this welcoming space will help you stay informed and connected to the wider community. Join the live session every Friday or catch up on past episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Ministry of Testing
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    This Week in Quality