The effectiveness, efficiency and success of the test team very much depend on its leader. I am not saying that it’s the only key success factor, but you should not underestimate how much a good test team leader can contribute to the overall success. I’ve put together some points that a team leader should use in his work.
1. The importance of team spirit
Leader is a part of the team. Every team member must see that. Otherwise they will lose the desire to work efficiently and contribute to the project. Many good testers forget that despite the ‘lead’ addition to their job title they still remain testers.
2. Test team lead – is a tester first of all
Leader must conduct testing himself. It doesn’t mean that he has to forget about other ‘lead’ activities and grant all his time to testing. The amount of time that a team leader can give to testing will very much depend on the size of the team in inverse ratio.
3. Writing test cases, checklists, etc.
It’s not a good idea to leave writing test cases, test scenarios, checklists, etc. entirely to subordinates. In this case team members might interpret those activities unimportant and unworthy to spend the time on it, and that will reduce both the quantity and quality of test coverage. In addition to that writing tests is a good way to stay on track.
4. Learn together
All team members along with their lead must learn together. This concerns all aspects of learning. Besides that leader must avoid the tendency to dive into all new functionality first.
5. Everybody makes mistakes
Every person is fallible. It’s what we humans are good at. Leader must admit his mistakes and do not hide them. This will require a certain level of courage to do, but it will be rewarded.
6. No monopoly on ideas
This means that the leader shouldn’t be the only one whose ideas have a high value. A good team leader must encourage generation of ideas and out-of-the-box thinking of his team. Also it’s very important to engage team members in the decision-making (of course if the competencies of the latter allow to do so).
7. Build a trusted team
Leader must create a team he can rely on. He should be careful in the case, but not too careful. He should reward the desire and ability to solve complex tasks. The relationship within the team must give the feeling of importance to all team members, they must see that they contribute to the project’s success.
8. Input appreciation
Every team member is making some input into the project on a everyday basis. This small bits of input are no less important than the big ones and should be rewarded as well. I’m not saying that the leader must give a medal on each such occasion, but a simple mentioning during e.g. the daily scrum meeting (well, if you are doing scrum of course) will be enough. This makes the testers feel important and motivate them to work better. The leader must set up goal for his team and give rewards for achieving those goals.
9. Proactivity is welcomed
Leader should compliment his subordinates’ proactivity. IMO, practivity should lead to a wide range of authorities.
10. No knowledge ownership
Project knowledge must be available to all its members. Leader must avoid holding some chunks of knowledge for himself. Every team member must know the major part of the project (ideally if its 100%). Also, every tester on the team must know the TC base (the principle is the same).
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