zebrunner expert series
Why Testers Matter
Reasserting our role in the AI/DevOps era
October 29, 2024
James Bach
Renowned Software Tester, Author, and Consultant
In a world of Agile, DevOps, and AI-driven development, many question the future of testing as a profession. Do we really need testers when developers can write their own tests, and machines are becoming more intelligent by the day? James Bach, a leading authority in the QA world, has an answer — an answer rooted in first-hand experience.
During the pandemic, while working as a designer/developer on a commercial software project, James realized something critical: even though he’s a skilled tester himself, he still needed a dedicated tester to keep his focus on building features. "It’s like a chef at their own wedding — they may be great at cooking, but they shouldn’t have to prepare the feast while managing everything else." Testing his own work slowed him down, and he ended up cutting corners — just like many developers do.
In this engaging talk, James will confront the idea that testing is a vanishing role. He’ll explore the pressures of today’s software industry and why the argument that testers will disappear is dangerously misguided. Drawing on historical parallels from industries like airlines and pharmaceuticals, he’ll explain how unchecked development can lead to catastrophic failures — and why testers serve as the essential safeguard in software.
Watch now the grand finale of Zebrunner Expert Series 2024 as James Bach shares his lived experience and practical lessons that will help testers define their value in an ever-changing field.
