Quality Talks Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Ash Gawthorp discuss the rapid changes in the tech industry driven by AI advancements.
They explore the implications of Andrej Karpathy's tweet expressing feelings of inadequacy among programmers, the evolving nature of software development, and the critical role of testing in ensuring quality in AI-driven systems.
The conversation emphasises the importance of human oversight, the need for explicit verification, and the evolving dynamics between developers and testers in a landscape where AI is increasingly taking on coding tasks.
Key insights highlight the value of existing software testing skills in navigating this new environment and the necessity of adapting to maintain confidence in software outputs.

Useful Links:

Ten10 Website:
https://ten10.com/

Ash Gawthorp's Article:
https://ten10.com/blog/why-software-testing-just-became-the-most-important-skill-in-technology/

Andrej Kaparthy's Tweet: https://x.com/karpathy/status/2004607146781278521

Boris Cherny Tweet:
https://x.com/bcherny/status/2004887829252317325

Takeaways

Many in tech feel overwhelmed by rapid AI advancements.
Andrej Karpathy's tweet resonated with many programmers.
The pace of change in software development is unprecedented.
Testing is crucial in AI-driven development environments.
Human oversight is essential in AI applications.
Testers have a unique skill set that is increasingly valuable.
Observability and testability are paramount in AI systems.
The role of the verifier is becoming more important than the builder.
Imposter syndrome is common among experienced professionals.
Continuous quality is vital in software development. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Tech Landscape in 2026
02:50 The Impact of AI on Software Development
06:14 The Shift in Software Development Workflows
10:22 The Non-Deterministic Nature of AI
11:33 Building Confidence in AI Outputs
15:34 The Role of Testing in AI Development
17:27 The Importance of Skepticism in Testing
21:25 Prompt Engineering and Its Challenges
22:52 Verification and Observability in AI Systems
28:05 Human Oversight in AI Development
31:45 The Evolving Role of Testers
37:06 The Future of Software Development and Testing
43:59 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
49:52 Close

Summary

In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, host Stu Day and guest Megan Ozanne discuss the pitfalls of an automation-first approach in software testing.
They explore the importance of team communication, identifying pain points, and building a capable team.
Megan shares her insights on developing an automation-first maturity model, engaging with stakeholders, and measuring impact.
The conversation also touches on improving communication through techniques like the Three Amigos approach, capturing conversations in tickets, and navigating pushback from leadership.
Megan emphasises the need for empathy in leadership and the challenges of remote work, concluding with key takeaways for listeners.

Takeaways

Start with the conversations, not the test suites.
Fix the conversations that the teams are having.
It's all about conversations.
Engage with stakeholders to drive change.
Everyone's opinion is valid, even if it's not the path you want to go down.
Gather as much data as you can beforehand.
Visibility and communication are key.
Develop an automation first maturity model.
Measure impact through storytelling, not just metrics.
Empathy is crucial in leadership. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Quality Talks Podcast
01:49 Understanding the Automation First Trap
04:06 Challenges in Automation Implementation
06:00 The Importance of Team Communication
10:14 Gathering Insights from Team Members
11:35 Using Maturity Models for Team Development
14:20 Engaging with Stakeholders Effectively
17:35 Measuring Impact and Metrics
18:28 Improving Communication with Three Amigos
23:21 Navigating Remote Work Dynamics
27:26 Building Empathy in Leadership
31:20 Conversations with Senior Leadership
35:02 The Challenges of Remote Conversations
38:55 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
40:45 End

Summary

In this episode, hosts Stu Day and Chris Henderson reflect on the year 2025, discussing the growth and engagement of the podcast, the challenges of mental health in the workplace, and the evolving role of AI in shaping careers. 

They emphasise the importance of community support and effective communication in navigating these changes, while also exploring emerging trends in quality engineering and testing for 2026.

Takeaways

2025 has been a year of significant growth for the podcast.
Engagement from listeners has remained high throughout the year.
Mental health challenges in the workplace are prevalent and need addressing.
Control the controllables to navigate mental checkouts.
Metrics should tell a story, not just be numbers.
AI is a tool, but community will shape our careers.
Human interaction will be crucial in the tech industry moving forward.
Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in a rapidly changing environment.
Effective communication is key to influencing teams and driving change.
Leadership in quality requires a broad understanding of various disciplines.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on 2025: A Year in Review
21:44 Navigating Mental Checkouts in the Workplace
28:26 The Role of Metrics in Quality Assurance
34:38 AI vs Community: The Future of Careers
36:02 Embracing AI: The Community's Role
46:30 The Future of Work: Human Interaction and AI
56:51 Trends in Quality Engineering: Skills for 2026
01:07:19 Closing out 2025

Summary

In this episode Stu Day and special guest James Lawther (author of ‘Managed by Morons’) discuss the intricacies of leadership and management, drawing from personal experiences and insights from James's book. 

They explore the importance of learning from bad leadership, the need for psychological safety in organisations, and the balance between effectiveness and efficiency. 

The discussion emphasises the significance of understanding systems within organisations, the impact of bonus-driven development, and the necessity of a customer-centric approach. 

Ultimately, they highlight the importance of building trust and fostering a culture that encourages open communication and continuous learning.

Takeaways

Leadership is about creating a culture of trust.
You learn more from bad experiences than good ones.
Management is straightforward but often poorly executed.
Focus on effectiveness, not just efficiency.
Psychological safety is crucial for open communication.
The system must be managed, not just the people.
Long-term thinking leads to better outcomes.
Measurement can drive the wrong behaviours.
AI should be used to solve real problems, not just for the sake of it.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave as a leader?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Book
03:02 The Journey of Writing and Blogging
05:57 Learning from Bad Leadership
08:47 The Importance of Systems in Leadership
11:33 Case Studies and Real-World Examples
14:28 The Impact of Incentives on Team Dynamics
17:15 Psychological Safety in the Workplace
21:34 Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication
22:40 The Swiss Cheese Model: Learning from Mistakes
27:01 Connecting Experiences Across Industries
29:11 Admitting Failure: A Key to Improvement
31:46 Understanding Purpose in Business
36:55 The Dangers of Target-Driven Culture
41:05 The Importance of Systems Thinking
45:44 Optimising Systems Over Individual Performance
48:23 The Impact of Systemic Issues on Operations
51:30 The Cost of Short-Term Thinking
53:45 The Balance Between Efficiency and Effectiveness
56:36 Learning from Failures in Organisations
01:01:33 Building Trust in Leadership
01:03:14 Legacy and Leadership: What Will You Be Remembered For?
01:05:07 Show Close

Summary

In this episode of the Quality Talks podcast, hosts Stu Day and special guest Vernon Richards delve into the complexities of language and terminology in the field of quality. 

They discuss the importance of understanding context, the impact of personal experiences on language interpretation, and the need for intentional communication. 

The conversation highlights common triggering phrases, the role of active listening, and the significance of reframing language to foster better discussions.

Listeners are encouraged to be mindful of their words and to engage in open dialogues to navigate misunderstandings effectively.

Useful Links:

Credibility Playbook for Testers

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition

Situation Behaviour Impact model:

Takeaways

Language in quality is complex and varies across organisations.
Misunderstandings often arise from different interpretations of the same terms.
Active listening and open questions can enhance communication.
Context is crucial in understanding the meaning behind words.
Reframing triggering language can lead to more productive conversations.
Intent behind words can change their impact significantly.
Quality is a shared responsibility among all team members.
Feedback loops are more effective than rigid quality gates.
Personal experiences shape how we interpret language.
Difficult conversations are necessary for growth and understanding.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Energy Boost
01:13 The Importance of Language in Quality
03:07 Navigating Misunderstandings in Quality Terminology
10:44 Understanding Different Perspectives in Quality Conversations
14:35 Influencing Change Through Effective Communication
19:13 Reframing Language to Reduce Triggers
25:38 The Role of Context in Quality Discussions
30:08 Feedback Loops vs. Quality Gates
36:05 Navigating Difficult Conversations
39:08 Understanding Triggers in Communication
43:53 The Complexity of Language and Intent
49:10 Identifying Triggering Words
55:54 Mindfulness in Language Use