JOB DESCRIPTION AND EXPECTATIONS :
What to expect from a QA team lead
The role of a QA team lead may vary depending on the company and different client needs, but most core duties are similar. While some quality assurance teams may expect more from their lead than others, most leaders are responsible for:
Developing QA test plans
The QA team lead develops testing procedures by defining quality metrics and test strategies. While working with superiors, a team lead establishes the expected standards for the quality assurance tests and clearly communicates those standards to their team. To ensure progress, the team lead sets milestones and comes up with criteria to track timely progress.
Instructing and mentoring
Because a team lead has more quality assurance experience, one of their responsibilities is to instruct their team on quality metrics and testing strategies for each project. When implementing a test, the team lead explains each member's role and oversees their automated and manual work. If team members have questions or concerns, the team lead provides answers and works with them to find solutions.
Providing feedback
QA teams rely on their leader to set quality standards and help them improve in their work. If a team lead notices corrections that need to be made or processes that could run more efficiently, it's their responsibility to provide constructive advice. For example, if the team isn't meeting the checkpoints for beta testing, a team lead might schedule a work session to complete the testing. When a team has fulfilled or exceeded project expectations, a manager may also provide positive feedback.
Collaborating with management
It's the responsibility of the QA team lead to send project status updates to management. When management provides feedback, the QA team lead is in charge of taking the appropriate actions. If there are changes that the QA team lead can address, they might implement those changes and send the test back to management. When the requested changes are more significant, the QA team lead may relate them back to their team and direct them on how to approach the new tasks.
Important skills for QA team leads
A quality assurance team relies on their team lead to delegate or take charge when needed. When a team lead cultivates an environment of effective communication and comradery, every member of the team can confidently execute their role. There are several skills that can help a QA team lead ensure such a successful work environment, including:
Quality assurance expertise
A team lead often has advanced experience in quality assurance and is well-qualified in its processes and procedures. They're familiar with project management and test management software, standard development and engineer processes. This also allows the team lead to provide guidance to their team members about best practices.
Communication
A good quality assurance team lead can effectively communicate important information to their team. Each member of the team should feel certain about how a project is distributed and what part of the product they're responsible for testing. To ensure a positive atmosphere, a team lead employs communication skills to answer questions, provide feedback, praise good work and maintain morale.
Organization
One role of a QA team lead is to oversee the efficient completion of quality assurance projects. It's important that they set schedules, assess risks, review the work of each team member and provide updates to superiors. Attention to detail and time management skills can help ensure the success of each project.
Adaptability
As the head of quality assurance, the team lead needs to be familiar with the role of each member of the team. They may also need to multitask if there are numerous projects at once, possibly in different stages of testing. The team lead may also need to adapt the way they describe certain aspects of the projects to members of the company outside of the quality assurance team.
Leadership
The QA team lead guides the team through quality assurance testing. Effective leadership skills are vital to coordinating and improving on the activities of the whole team. A team lead needs to delegate tasks and provide direction, feedback and accountability to members of the quality assurance team.
Industry knowledge
The team lead should stay up to date on quality assurance standards, software and practices. By doing this, they can keep the QA team informed about the latest industry trends and testing strategies. Ways to stay informed could include training classes, certifications, webinars, blog posts or videos about quality assurance.
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