Introduction
Introducing Veaceslav Bulgaru, the dedicated Head of QA at The Unit, as we continue our “Meet the Team” series. Veaceslav’s journey is marked by a passion for quality assurance and a relentless pursuit of perfection in product development. With years of experience and a steadfast commitment to embracing emerging trends in QA practices, Veaceslav plays a pivotal role in maintaining our product’s high standards. His leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence make him an indispensable asset to our dynamic and forward-thinking team.
What motivates you the most about working in the field of quality assurance, and how does that drive your performance as the Head of QA?
I am motivated by the fact that it is difficult to create a perfect product. It is also difficult to call it perfect even after careful testing. I want to strive for such a result so that we can say that after creating and esting a particular product, it is close to ideal. As the Head of QA, I understand those aspects for which I am the first and the last to be asked about the quality and condition of the product. This means that I have to follow new technologies used in testing and try new ways, scenarios, plans, and testing approaches to reveal a particular product from different angles. The Head of QA should always be motivated, with specific goals in mind, to serve as an example for his teammates.
What initially attracted you to a career in quality assurance, and how has your journey as a Head of QA evolved over time?
Initially, there was an understanding that you needed to enter IT from some side, and for me, it was a testing road. I came to this at university, and my QA path started from there. At first, like everyone else, I started as a simple junior tester, but over time, my desire, ideas, and thoughts helped me grow into something more – the Head of QA. I had to develop myself, as well as teach those who are behind what I have learned and be useful here and now.
The more time I spent as Head of QA, the more I realized the responsibility I had: to lead the team, implement something new, teach the team something new, monitor the status of projects, monitor the state of the team, test the projects I am a member of, be the initiator of something new, try and make mistakes, and try again in order for the product to acquire a special shape close to ideal.
How do you ensure effective collaboration between QA, development, and other departments to maintain product quality throughout the development lifecycle?
I have always understood one thing and try to convey it to my team: when the product is ready, the tester should have as little responsibility as possible, which depends only on him. All the work needs to be done so that at some point in your life, developers hate you because you are like a splinter in their side. At another moment, managers will hate you because you are annoying and always asking something. But in the end, the tester is the person who decides how the client will respond to the product.
So these are the tester’s life cycle events: to be the one who is hated today for 10 open bugs, but at the same time to be the best friend tomorrow because the client is considerate and spoke well about the work you have done together. In fact, a good tester serves as a bridge between managers and development, being neutral with and against everyone.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities or attributes that make a successful Head of QA, and how do you embody these traits in your role?
Calmness, composure, prudence, the ability to speak, the ability to listen, and the willingness to consider various solutions are all important. It’s like playing chess, where each move has different outcomes. You try, and they will try too. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because mistakes are just like bugs that you have to fix yourself. At least then you can feel like a developer, even if only a little.
What strategies do you employ to keep up with emerging trends and technologies in QA practices?
I try to follow successful companies by analyzing their strategies and approaches. No one forbade learning from the mistakes of others. That’s why I’m quietly watching other successful companies to take a little bit from everywhere and recreate something unique in one whole solution for us. You need to be able to find time to get to know something new. But even if it doesn’t suit you, it will only expand your horizons, which will contribute to the future.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges or opportunities in the field of quality assurance?
The field of quality assurance presents opportunities for growth, development, and existence.The product will never be 100% perfect so testing staff will always be needed. Moreover, the continuous emergence of new technologies, features, and functionalities introduces new bugs. This gives us the opportunity to study new technologies that replace the old ones, and improve ourselves as QA engineers.
Additionally, testers consistently encounter the challenge posed by well-crafted code developed by developers.
Can you discuss your experience in implementing and managing automated testing processes?
Delving into the details of “what” and “how” in this context could fill volumes. However, I find that the fundamental knowledge on this topic is readily available, particularly through resources like Google.
The key principle at play here is efficiency, as automating tasks serves as a driver for progress. By enabling programs to handle tasks that would otherwise demand manual effort, we can make substantial strides forward, provided that such integration aligns with our system’s capabilities.
How have your past professional experiences prepared you for the responsibilities and challenges of being the Head of QA for this unit?
I have learned from the past that the key point is understanding specific technical points of view, which can at times lead to solutions that have been overlooked by others. Having two people working together is better than one. Helping out can prevent extra meetings and make it easier to solve a problem.
Additionally, moral qualities aid in evaluating situations, seeking solutions in a professional manner, and acting with prudence and precision.
Reflecting on your career journey, what pivotal experiences or decisions led you to pursue a leadership role in quality assurance?
Not many are willing to take on the dual role of a friend and an adversary to their colleagues. Despite the potential repercussions of taking the lead, I will always put myself forward as the initiator on something new if I see potential in it. I believe that as we continue to grow and develop, my team will see things they may not see now.
