Testing Peers

Happy New Year, Peers!!Welcome to the latest episode of the Testing Peers podcast, this time panel explores how testers and quality professionals can make the most of their training budgets, whether that budget is zero, modest, or stretches into several thousand pounds.Hosts this week: Russell Craxford, David Maynard, Chris Armstrong, and Tara Walton.The discussion is grounded in real experience and looks at how learning choices change depending on constraints, priorities, and organisational context.Starting from Zero: Learning Without a BudgetThe episode begins by challenging the assumption that learning requires money. The hosts highlight the breadth and quality of free resources available, including:Blogs, podcasts, and community-driven contentFree learning platforms such as Test Automation University, freeCodeCamp, and edXVendor-provided learning resources from tooling and platform providersA key recommendation is the free “Learning How to Learn” course by Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski, which helps people understand how they learn best before deciding where to invest time or money.Spending Around £100: Small Budgets, Real ValueWith a budget of around £100, the focus shifts to intentional, value-led choices:Books as a focused, low-distraction way to learn:Subscriptions to learning platforms rather than single coursesPrioritising practical outcomes over certificatesUsing community recommendations to avoid low-quality contentTestSphere and RiskStorming cardsObviously, the Testing Peers Conference, March 12th 2026Books such as Explore It, The Phoenix Project, The Culture Code and other systems thinking titles are highlighted as high-value, low-cost investments.Around £500: Community, Conferences, and ExposureAt the £500 level, learning opportunities expand:Attending local conferences, meetups, or community events Leeds Test Atelier (Free to attend)SIGiSTShipItConCovering travel, accommodation, and tickets for nearby eventsInvesting in leadership, communication, and presentation skillsSubscriptions such as Ministry of Testing Pro (including a ticket to their #MoTaCon event) and similar learning communitiesLeanPubThe hosts discuss the value of human connection, being exposed to new perspectives, and coming away from events with renewed ideas and motivation.Certifications and Career SignalsThe conversation takes a balanced view on certifications, including ISTQB:Not a definition of quality or capabilityPotentially useful for people entering the industryHelpful as a signal when eSupport the show

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Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers podcast. In this episode, Simon, David, Chris and returning host, Dan Ashby explore what makes a high-performing team and how leaders can intentionally create the right environment for teams to thrive. The conversation builds on both shared experience and real-world examples of navigating complex team dynamics.Topics Discussed• Psychological safetyHow teams understand it, how fragile it can be and the different forms it takes, including inclusion, learning, contributor and challenger safety.• Purpose and directionWhy clarity of mission anchors decision making and helps individuals see their contribution to collective outcomes.• Skills, proficiency and growthUnderstanding a team’s starting point, enabling learning opportunities and how building capability strengthens trust and accountability. Dan also introduces his High-Performing Teams Framework, which provides a structured model for these elements:https://evolvingleadership.uk/the-hpt-framework/• Trust and ownershipThe importance of follow-through, transparency and what Chris refers to as decisive humility when leading in uncertain or inherited contexts.• Joy and communityHow internal communities, shared testing sessions, social connection and small rituals can support morale and cohesion, especially in remote environments.• Real-world leadership experiencesChris shares an example of challenging expectations from leadership by gathering context, sense-checking with peers and approaching difficult conversations with evidence and respect.Also in this episodeBurnout, remote working dynamics, and the role of workplace friendships in supporting sustainable performance.#PeersCon26 Tickets for the event are now live too, starting at £15 until December 2025, when they increase to £30.And as always, we are looking for sponsors to make this event the success it has been for the last 2 years, get in touch if interestedTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They’ve been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they’ve now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024 and 2025, really grateful for all they do to support the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and [email protected] for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Welcome to episode 139 of the Testing Peers podcast. This time, the Peers dive into the sequel to episode 39, for Testing Rants part 2. Hosting this episode is Callum Akehurst-Ryan, Tara Walton, Chris Armstrong and David Maynard.After a brief ranter moment (terrible rant banter portmanteau, sorry), the team move onto the main topic.Topics covered in this episode:Documentation IssuesSingle Points of Failure: Documentation saved locally or only in one place.Poor Comments: Insufficient or missing code/system comments.Clarity over Volume: The need for context and value to avoid "death by documentation."The Problem with Assumptions"Termites of Relationships": Assumptions damage team relationships and project outcomes (citing Henry Winkler).Contextual Blind Spots: Discussing unchecked assumptions in daily work.Value and MotivationMissing the WHY: Lack of communication around the ultimate VALUE of the work.Purpose Drives Motivation: Knowing why tasks matter increases engagement.Cognitive Load and FlowSpoon Theory: Managing limited mental energy and cognitive load.Flow Disruptors: Identifying Slack/notifications as excessive noise that breaks focus.Time Off and Workplace SafetyManaging Return: Setting healthy expectations for those returning after time off.Psychological Safety: The foundational requirement for taking necessary breaks."Always On" Pressure: Ranting against the pressure for a digital detox and constant online presence.Community and CelebrationLisa Crispin Shoutout: Acknowledging her commitment to championing the community.Shining a Light: The importance of celebrating and elevating others.#PeersCon26 Tickets for the event are now live too, starting at £15 until December 2025, when they increase to £30.And as always, we are looking for sponsors to make this event the success it has been for the last 2 years, get in touch if interestedTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They’ve been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they’ve now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024 and 2025, really grateful for all they do to support the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and [email protected] for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Welcome to episode 138 of the Testing Peers PodcastIn this episode, Chris, Rachel, David and Russell discuss how people begin their careers in testing and software quality today.After a light-hearted round of “Two Truths and a Lie (But All Lies)”, the conversation turns to the different ways people enter the field, and how those paths have changed over time. The Peers share their own experiences and reflect on what helps new testers succeed.Topics include:Apprenticeships, graduate schemes and internal career changesThe importance of curiosity, communication and collaborationBalancing technical skills with people skillsThe impact of AI and automation on entry routesBuilding inclusive teams and supporting diverse backgroundsThe difference between culture add and culture fitThe group explore what organisations can do to create better entry points into quality roles, and how experienced professionals can help the next generation of testers grow with confidence.#PeersCon26 Tickets for the event are now live too, starting at £15 until December 2025, when they increase to £30.And as always, we are looking for sponsors to make this event the success it has been for the last 2 years, get in touch if interestedTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We’re also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They’ve been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they’ve now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024 and 2025, really grateful for all they do to support the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and [email protected] for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show