🚨 Season 2 is coming 🚨
Our podcast returns 1/21 with conversations on how quality engineering is evolving, productivity for engineers, the job market, and the impact of AI—featuring recognized voices in the field.
👉 Full episode coming soon. Follow not to miss out.
#SoftwareEngineering

We don’t need more automation. We need smarter automation. AI is supercharging the “automate everything” mindset, but at what cost?

Leaders: not every test needs to be automated. Quality comes from intent, not volume.

Automate with care.

#AI #SoftwareTesting #EngLeadership #DevEx

🛠️ Broken culture = broken software.
You can’t debug team dysfunction with a better test framework.

Strong teams build strong systems.
Culture and quality are inseparable.

New post on Road Less Tested 👇
www.roadlesstested.com/p/engineerin...

#softwarequality #DevOps #leadership #testing

- Work gets marked as “done” but isn’t actually ready.
- Features “pass testing” but still crash in production.
- People get frustrated, not because they didn’t try, but because they weren’t aligned.

Too often, we waste precious time debating what a word should mean instead of making sure everyone on the team knows what it means here, now, together.
Because when language is misaligned, collaboration breaks down.

I don’t believe we need industry approved definitions for terms like test, done, or automation.
I believe *teams* just need to agree, and get moving.

So before you roll out that next framework or productivity plugin, ask: Is this solving a real problem, or just distracting us from one?

In fact, layering tools on top of tools usually adds complexity, not clarity. The highest-performing teams I’ve worked with don’t use the flashiest stack, they master a thoughtful one. They integrate tools intentionally. They focus on value over novelty. They know when less is more.

I’ve seen teams fall into the 'Shiny Tool Syndrome': constantly adopting the next big thing, hoping it will solve their quality problems. It rarely does. If your process is unclear, your communication is off, or your priorities are misaligned, no tool will save you.

Chasing tools won’t fix broken teams.

Software teams are constantly bombarded with tools promising to streamline development and improve quality. But the truth is, tools don’t create quality; people do.

Let's talk about how to involve the whole team in your quality efforts. Code quality is a whole team responsibility.
open.substack.com/pub/thetestc...

Most bugs aren’t code problems they’re assumption problems. We have to make assumptions, it’s how our brains work. The trick isn’t to avoid them. It’s to notice when we’re making them. That awareness alone can save your team a lot of pain.

In Software, Delivery Is Just the Beginning Embracing Entropy in Software Systems

Clean, maintainable systems don’t happen by accident — they’re built with early, intentional choices. Teams that prioritize sustainability catch issues sooner, make smarter trade-offs, and avoid last-minute chaos. Start early. Your future self will thank you.

open.substack.com/pub/thetestc...

In Software, Delivery Is Just the Beginning Embracing Entropy in Software Systems

Shipping isn’t the end—it’s the start. 🏁
Great teams plan after deploy: monitor, maintain, improve.
Entropy creeps in fast. Don’t let your codebase rot.
Read more about this in my latest blog:
www.roadlesstested.com/p/in-softwar...
#softwarequality

Fast Isn’t Free AI, Speed, and the Cost of Software Quality

Everyone’s hyped about AI speeding up dev work.
But fast doesn’t mean better.

AI is a 10x boost only if you know your craft.

⚠️ Fast code isn’t free. Read the full post ↓
🔗 www.roadlesstested.com/p/fast-isnt-...
#SoftwareEngineering #AI #DevLife

10 Years After ‘Testing Is Dead’ Lessons, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward

“Testing is dead.” They said that in 2016. AI says it again now. But here’s the truth: Testing never died—it evolved. Craft, context, and curiosity still matter more than green bars. Let’s build better software together. 🧪🔥 open.substack.com/pub/thetestc...

The Selenium MCP Server ❤️

github.com/angiejones/m...

Your open source project needs a code of conduct. Full stop. Governance isn’t infallible. Do the thing. Earned wisdom from @kat.lol at #MonkiGras

Beyond Buzzwords: Embedding Real Shift-Left Practices How Short Conversations Today Lead to Better Software Tomorrow

Think “Shift Left” is a new trend? It’s old school—like Agile Manifesto old! Embedding testers early isn’t radical. It’s just smart. #QualityMatters #DevCulture #ShiftLeft #QualityEngineering

www.roadlesstested.com/p/beyond-buz...

Beyond Buzzwords: Embedding Real Shift-Left Practices How Short Conversations Today Lead to Better Software Tomorrow

Shift left is a concept as old as agile methodologies, so why do people still talk about it as if it is groundbreaking? A better approach is shifting conversations about software quality left instead. www.roadlesstested.com/p/beyond-buz...
#ShiftLeft #SoftwareEngineering #Agile #ContinuousTesting

Avoid a Race to the Bottom in Software Quality Applying Gresham's Law to Improve Software Quality and Workplace Culture

Gresham’s law isn't just economics—it explains declining software standards too. Shortcuts become normal, and quality fades. How does your team fight the race to the bottom? #SoftwareEngineering #Agile #QualityEngineering #EngineeringLeadership #WomenInTech
www.roadlesstested.com/p/avoid-a-ra...

Old Irish Proverb: May your heart always be open. And may your elbows stay as wide as your heart.

AI won’t fix bad processes. Tools help, but quality software depends on skilled people, strong processes, and a culture that values the hard parts of quality. Balance tools, people, processes, and culture for real impact.

Beyond AI and Automation: The Real Foundations of Software Quality What Goes Into Delivering Quality Software?

What does it take to deliver quality software? Certainly more than tools and AI.

www.roadlesstested.com/p/beyond-ai-...

This week in our Podcast page, we'll be celebrating all things women in tech. We start with highlighting some pretty amazing women in the quality engineering space.

Who has inspired you in tech?

Not every team needs a tester?! 🤯
Some say testers are essential. Others argue they slow things down. The truth? It depends. Context is king.
Do you really need a dedicated tester? Let’s break it down. 👇 #SoftwareTesting #Agile
www.roadlesstested.com/p/not-all-en...

Episode 5 - Career in Testing Part 2 is available wherever you listen to your podcasts:
Spotify: t.ly/2rV1N
Amazon Music: t.ly/htQi_
YouTube Music: t.ly/AUNan

We’re evolving this podcast with every episode, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

🎧 Check it out & let me know what resonated most! Link in the comments.👇

Here’s what we covered:
✅ Manual vs. Automated Testing—why this debate needs to die (seriously)
✅ Growing your career—mentors, sponsors & the resources that actually help
✅ What great engineering leaders do differently
✅ The future of testing

And I’m super proud of this one. We poured our experience into this episode to help testers and engineering leaders level up.