Alexander Ganster
Munich Re, GermanyAlex is an experienced software testing professional with a focus on driving excellence in quality assurance. He currently serves as a global software testing lead at Munich Re IT, where he plays a vital role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality software solutions on a global scale. With a strong background in diverse project contexts, Alexander has acquired extensive expertise in test and quality management processes, enabling him to effectively support organizations in their digital transformation journey. His passion lies in helping clients meet the demanding requirements for speed, performance, and security in modern software development lifecycles. As a speaker at the SEETEST conference, Alexander brings valuable insights and practical knowledge to inspire fellow professionals in the field of software testing.
The Human Factor: Enhancing AI-Driven Software Testing with Human Insights
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven software testing, the integration of human insights remains a pivotal factor for achieving the highest standards of software quality. In my talk, "The Human Factor: Elevating AI-Driven Software Testing with Human Insights," I draw on my extensive experience in blending artificial intelligence with human judgment to address the limitations of purely automated systems.
We begin by examining how AI, particularly advanced natural language processing models like Chat GPT, has transformed test case generation and automated testing processes. Despite their efficiency, these AI tools often miss nuances and complex user behaviors that can lead to significant oversights. I will share specific instances from my professional practice where integrating human insights with AI-generated test cases significantly enhanced testing outcomes, uncovering critical issues that AI alone could not detect.
This presentation will guide you through detailed strategies that I have developed and refined for harmoniously integrating human expertise with AI capabilities. This includes setting up effective collaboration protocols, where human intuition plays a crucial role in reviewing and adjusting AI suggestions, thereby enriching the test coverage and accuracy.
Attendees will learn from real-life examples how to establish a dynamic balance between AI’s computational power and human testers' unique ability to interpret context and emotion, ensuring more comprehensive and fail-safe software testing.
We will conclude with actionable recommendations for deploying these integrated approaches in various testing environments, tailored from lessons learned in high-stakes projects. These strategies have not only improved efficiency and reduced costs but also heightened defect detection rates in complex software applications.
Join us to explore how you can leverage this hybrid approach to elevate your software testing processes, combining the best of AI’s speed and scalability with the irreplaceable depth of human insight.
Oleksiy Slavutskyy & Nataliya Bogushevskaya
EPAM Systems, UkraineOleksiy Slavutskyy, with a career spanning over 15 years in the Quality Assurance industry, Oleksiy began as a manual tester, gradually progressing to a Test automation role and eventually becoming a quality architect. This rich journey has equipped him with valuable know-how in diverse QA techniques, including mobile testing, and a specialization in domains like e-commerce and IoT product testing.
Over the years, Oleksiy has made a significant impact as a mentor and trainer at EPAM's Quality Architect School, helping shape the future minds of the industry.
Nataliya Bogushevskaya, PhD. More than 20 years in production projects (as BA, Data Base Architect and Test Lead), 5+ years in production as Test Manager.
Changes in QA Processes and SDLC with AI Testing: Impact and Adaptation for Teams
The article " Changes in QA Processes and SDLC with AI Testing: Impact and Adaptation for Teams" explores the impact of AI testing on QA processes and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It presents the results of three Proof of Concept (POC) projects, showing that AI can enhance efficiency and improve product quality.
However, applying AI testing capabilities doesn't necessarily translate into immediate advancements in the testing process. The value each AI tool brings to the table needs to be considered individually. Not surprisingly, when alterations are made to the testing process, it can expose existing bottlenecks and issues.
To address the challenges detected in our POCs, EPAM has developed a testing approach supplemented with AI accelerators. Our solution offers a centralized access point to AI models and a dedicated platform for managing AI-related assets, making use of AI accelerators smoothly and efficiently.
Milcho Hekimov
Quality House, BulgariaMilcho is a Quality Assurance engineer with more than 7 years of experience. He has experience in various industries including Automotive and E-commerce. The roles he has occupied include Test Consultant and Penetration test consultant. Currently, he is CTO at Quality House and a founding member of Bulgarian Association of Certified Ethical Hackers.
He holds both a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer systems and technologies from the University of Ruse. He also holds a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) v10 and Offensive Security Web Expert certificates.
Milcho has proven experience in developing and presenting series of courses and trainings for Quality House and different clients of the company. He was a part-time lecturer at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia (Bulgaria) where he was teaching Penetration testing for the students enrolled in the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation MA program. Milcho is also involved in delivering ISTQB courses as a trainer in his field – ISTQB Specialist Level Security Tester.
Authentication Gone Bad - Penetration Testing Techniques for Chaining Vulnerabilities
Let’s talk about common bugs (vulnerabilities) in authentication, focusing on common security issues and how they can be chained together to exploit weaknesses. We will examine penetration testing techniques to identify and combine vulnerabilities such as weak password reset functionality, weak lockout mechanisms, and weak 2FA. During the presentation, we will dive into practical examples and strategies for creating automated (simple) scripts to chain multiple exploits. These advanced techniques, used by penetration testers, will help QAs elevate their testing skills from a security perspective.
Milen Stefanov
Dreamix by Synechron, BulgariaMilen Stefanov is an Automation QA Lead at Dreamix with over 16 years of experience in the tech industry. His career began in software development, where he spent the first three years honing his coding and engineering skills. Recognizing the critical importance of quality assurance, Milen then transitioned to the field of Automation QA - a move that has defined his professional journey for the past 13 years.
Milen has spent the past 2 years at Dreamix, leading efforts to ensure the highest software quality standards. His expertise lies in functional and performance testing, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver high-performance software solutions. Milen’s practical approach to QA is characterized by his ability to identify bottlenecks, design effective testing scenarios, and optimize software performance based on thorough analysis.
Beyond Performance Testing Theory: What Books Don’t Tell You
Performance testing types are a familiar concept - but do we really understand what makes for a successful performance testing strategy?
Milen Stefanov's session on the practical aspects of performance testing will help you cut through the noise, identify bottlenecks, and deliver high-performance software solutions.
Milen will equip you with practical tips and strategies to:
- Define and establish clear performance testing goals
- Design effective performance testing scenarios
- Execute and analyze performance testing results
- Optimize software performance based on testing findings
He’ll share examples from over a decade of experience, and showcase how to integrate software testing into the software lifecycle for improved application performance, user experience, and customer satisfaction.
We'll ditch the textbook. This session is your Performance Testing Playbook for crafting real-world strategies.
Filipe Nuno Carlos
InnoWave, PortugalFilipe lives in Lisbon, Portugal. He is an experienced testing professional with more than 30 years of experience in software development and testing. Currently Filipe leads the Digital QA Offering at InnoWave.
Before he has co-founded WinTrust, a Services Provider Company fully dedicated to software testing (in 2006) and the Portuguese Association for Software Testing (in 2010).
In the universe of ISTQB he is a certified professional, accredited trainer and Working Group chair. His involvement at an international level is also guided by his presence at conferences as a speaker (Test Automation Day in Rottherdam, Expo:QA in Madrid, and Testing Portugal in Lisbon).
In 2024 he launched a new brand: WinTrust.Academy. This brand provides a new service, under the service productization concept, focused in training and helping SMEs to improve their testing process.
The New Era of Time Management
This speech is based on a real experience. In the past, I usually started several tasks during one single day and, at the end of that day, none of them were done!
A lot of interruptions during the day, people asking for urgent responses, and the ultimate feeling of overwhelming and a stressful environment was a constant in my daily work.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to do a training called “Unstoppable Time” in July 2023 and today, I can say that I am a completely different professional. The way you manage your time today cannot be the same as you did 10 years ago. World has changed and you need to adapt.
The takeaway from this speech is just my experience. Could work or could not work to you.
But surely it will touch many attendees in the same way I touched many colleagues inside my company.
ŽAKLINA POLAK MATANOVIĆ
Conet, CroatiaŽaklina is a seasoned tester and Test Manager with additional experience in software development Project Management and Release Management. She holds a Master's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Zagreb. With over two decades of experience working in international teams across a diverse range of industries, from telecommunications and healthcare to credit card processing and government, Žaklina has developed a broad skill set and a deep understanding of her field.
As a true believer in education and continuous learning, Žaklina is eager to share her rich experience and contribute to the field of Software Testing as a first-time conference speaker.
In her free time, Žaklina enjoys traveling, photography, dancing salsa, and much more.
Managing Defects
Defects are an inevitable aspect of software development and testing. However, effective management of defects is crucial for ensuring the reliability, performance, and usability of software systems to mitigate risks and improve overall software quality. This paper explores various aspects important for managing defects in the context of software testing. It examines the importance of processes and communication throughout the software development lifecycle and even touches on the psychology of testing. This paper provides valuable guidance for testers and software professionals seeking to enhance their defect management capabilities.
Valentina Biankini & Tihana Horvat
CROZ, CroatiaValentina Biankini as a tester and business analyst at CROZ possesses skills in understanding business requirements and translating them into functional specifications. Her ability to meticulously analyze processes enables her to identify key areas for improvement and propose innovative solutions. Throughout her time in the IT industry, she has focused on understanding user needs and business processes and testing applications using an agile approach. Her ability to establish effective communication with the project team enables her to successfully collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to the successful delivery of projects. Until now, she has worked on projects for the banking industry, financial industry, governance, regulated and agriculture industries. She is ISTQB certified and actively applies industry best practices to deliver high-quality results although she first studied finance and economics, she successfully found her place in the IT industry.
Tihana Horvat, is a business analyst and test team lead at CROZ with experience in financial/banking, telecommunication, and agricultural machinery industries. With a keen eye for detail, her mission is to ensure the functionality and reliability of software through an agile approach to testing. Dedicated to continuously improving testing processes to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, she proactively tracks progress and closely collaborates with the team to address their evolving needs.
Passionate about designing workshops and facilitating them, Tihana thrives on creating collaborative environments where ideas flourish and solutions emerge. Her dedication to education is evident through her work with students at Croatian colleges and on student internships at CROZ, where she shares her knowledge and helps shape the next generation of professionals. Beyond her professional endeavors, Tihana is a nature lover who finds peace in mountain hiking.
I did it my [AGILE] way
Let's talk about the notion that testing is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather an art of finding the perfect fit for each unique team.
We will explore our unique approach to agile testing. Inspired by the wise words of Frankie, who said:
"Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my [AGILE] way".
In this session, we will share our experiences, successes, and lessons learned as we navigated the testing landscape in our own distinctive manner. We will reveal how we carefully planned each step, ensuring quality and achieving success in exploratory and formal testing. Along the way, we gained valuable insights into agile testing, where adaptability and flexibility play crucial roles.
Join us on our journey and discover the power of tailoring your testing approach to meet the specific needs of your team.
How did you tailor your testing journey to suit your team's needs?
Kari Kakkonen & Marko Rytkönen
Dragons Out Oy, FinlandMr. Kari Kakkonen has worked in software testing for almost 30 years. He is the co-author of ACT 2 LEAD Software Testing Leadership Handbook.
Kari is the 2021 EuroSTAR Testing Excellence Award winner, Tester of the Year in Finland Award 2021 winner, and DASA Exemplary DevOps Instructor Award 2023 winner. He is the author and CEO of Dragons Out Oy, which created a fantasy book to teach software testing to children and provides software testing, agile, DevOps, and AI training services in Europe. He has M.Sc. from Aalto University (aalto.fi). He works mostly with agile testing, lean, test automation, DevOps, and AI.
Kari has 25 years of testing experience, 15 years of agile experience, 10 years of DevOps experience and 5 years of AI experience. He's been working in ICT consulting, training, finance, insurance, pension insurance, public sector, embedded software, telecom, gaming, and industry domains.
Kari was on the Executive Committee of ISTQB (istqb.org) 2015-2021. He is on the Board of Directors of TMMi (tmmi.org). He is the Treasurer of FiSTB (fistb.fi). He is the co-founder of FiSTB Testing Assembly, the biggest testing seminar in Finland, for which he has been a co-organiser for 10 years.
Kari is a singer, snowboarder, kayaker, husband and dad.
Kari has given public talks and is a passionate advocate for software testing and QA. He is active on LinkedIn and welcomes you to network.
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/karikakkonen/
Marko Rytkönen Oy, Finland
Marko Rytkönen has worked in software testing for 30 years. He is the co-author of the ACT 2 LEAD Software Testing Leadership Handbook. Currently, he works as a QA Coach for Hidden Trail.
He has worked for over 20 years in global product companies with known brands and over 5 years in consulting companies. He has led subcontracted Chinese, Indian, Slovakian and Finnish testing teams. He has been responsible for improving testing practices at the IT department level. He has worked as a line manager for testing teams of up to 55 people and led a multi-million Euro global testing consultancy business. His speciality is to help his clients lead and improve testing practices at company and department levels.
Marko has done voluntary work for the Finnish Software Testing Board (FiSTB) as its board member. He is the co-founder of FiSTB Testing Assembly, the biggest testing seminar in Finland, for which he was a co-organiser for 10 years.
Marko has given public talks and is a passionate advocate for software testing and QA. He is active on LinkedIn and welcomes you to network.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markorytkonen/
Taking action to lead software testing
The talk will teach which things leadership really (and only) needs to do to lead software testing efficiently.
All too often the testers feel that they don’t get enough time for testing, there’s not enough budget, their reports are not understood, and they are not appreciated. At the same time, their employer may be suffering from complaints from customers, showstopper defects in production, or overcharging from its subcontractors. There should be more testing, right?
The situation is of course not always as black and white, but all too often some of these elements are in play. The reason for these challenges is often a lack of understanding about what software testing really is within the management of the company. Testers and developers may be very fluent in their testing, but they don’t get enough time or support from the company to do their work well.
The management needs to learn what testing is and use that knowledge to empower their organization to make software testing a serious team effort. There are several key things that you have to take into account if you are leading software testing. This leadership comes from the board of the company, the CEO, the CIO, department heads, heads of testing, project managers, product owners, test managers or anyone who needs software development for their company. They need testing, too.
Filip Ambruš
Infinum, CroatiaWith over 5 years of industry experience, Filip is currently a QA Lead at Infinum, a leading Croatian software design and development agency. His professional responsibilities encompass learning the intricacies of developing an IoT mobile app and working within a SAFe framework. In this capacity, he spearheads quality processes within the project team and drives numerous initiatives within Infinum’s QA team, which consists of over 40 professionals.
Although this will be his first experience speaking at a conference, Filip is well-versed in hosting and speaking at various QA talks and meetups in the region. He is also a dedicated mentor and a true advocate for questioning and improving QA practices.
How to be a QA Lead in the age of AI
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, where AI continues to reshape the boundaries of what's possible, the role of a QA Lead transcends traditional testing practices. By leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot, and similar, QA Leads not only enhance their operational efficiency but also carve out more space for high-impact activities that foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement. It is the nuanced, interpersonal engagements - whether it's navigating complex discussions with stakeholders, instilling a proactive quality mindset among developers, or strategizing risk management - that a QA Lead truly makes their mark. As we navigate the age of AI, the role of the QA Lead is pivotal in ensuring that technology serves the human element of software development, leading teams not just to technical excellence but toward creating more intuitive, user-centered products. In embracing both the possibilities of AI and the irreplaceable value of human insight, QA Leads are at the forefront of defining quality in the digital era, making them indispensable architects of the future. Envisioning the synergy of AI and human expertise, this article seeks to illuminate the pathways through which QA Leads can not only adapt but thrive, ensuring that the fusion of these forces yield unprecedented quality and innovation in software development.
Calvin Schröder
Deutsche Telekom IT, GermanyCalvin Schröder has been a Software Engineer at Deutsche Telekom for over 7 years. His most notable contribution includes leading the redevelopment of key software platforms in the landline diagnostics and repair sector, where his expertise in software engineering, architecture, and DevOps has made a significant impact.
Always emphasizing the importance of Quality Assurance and Testing, Calvin continuously integrates innovation while keeping pace with emerging trends and research areas. For the past year, he has been part of internal initiatives to introduce AI technologies to testers throughout the organization, further enhancing operational efficiencies and technological advancements.
Approaching unit testing with generative AI: A tool and impact evaluation
Explore the transformative role of Generative AI in revolutionizing software development and testing!
This Talk dives deep into the world of cutting-edge AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, showcasing how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of unit test creation.
I will provide an extensive evaluation of the top commercially available generative AI tools, analyzing their performance across various parameters including context usage, IDE support, interaction methods, user experience, language support, and overall generation quality.
Discover why GitHub Copilot has emerged as the tool of choice at Deutsche Telekom, and learn about our pioneering efforts to integrate Azure OpenAI Service for unit test generation into CI/CD pipelines or batch scripts.
I this talk I will share a lot of valuable insights for Deutsche Telekom, arguably a leading adopter of AI Technology.
Get ready to explore how generative AI is boosting productivity and efficiency in software testing, offering exciting insights and new possibilities.
Dimitar Todorov & Kostadin Chakarov
Alcatraz AI, BulgariaDimitar has been testing software solutions for more than 12 years now, leading quality in various projects and products. He is currently working at Alcatraz AI as Engineering Manager leading a high octane team of QA and Support engineers. He has knowledge and experience in most of the aspects of software testing, delivery and customer support. He is an advanced level ISTQB certified professional and working on biometric AI solutions is his latest adventure. For him, working in a fast growing community in the field of AI and ML technologies is really exciting, challenging and last but not least - a lot of fun. Dimitar shares that he is a ski lover and a hobby traveler - he likes crossing borders and visiting different seas, as well as tasting local food and drinks
Kostadin holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Leeds, UK, graduating among the top 5 students. During his academic journey, he gained practical industry experience in Germany, working for a top innovative start-up as a test engineer, developing the first fully automated test bed for their sensor technologies. He is currently working as an Embedded Software Test Engineer at Alcatraz AI, where he is driving the development efforts in the automated test solutions that bridge the gap between AI-powered software functionality and physical security in the real-world. He is an adventurous traveller, who enjoys driving sports cars across borders.
Automation in the AI powered Physical Security World
The human need to protect assets has always existed. Whether it be classified information or personal property, the concept of limiting access to these resources based on identity has been around since the start of modern civilization. Throughout history, we’ve seen examples of the various lengths people will go to conceal their valuables from the wrong people. In 100 BC, Julius Cesar was known to transmit messages to generals using codes and ciphers, an early form of encryption.
We have evolved. Now identity verification is not conducted by people or people-driven applications but by artificial intelligence. You’ve likely already interacted with an AI-driven application today if you’ve conducted a Google search, had a song recommended to you by Spotify, or simply unlocked your phone.
AlcatrazAI is a physical security tech company that leverages AI, edge-computing, and real-time analytics to bring autonomous access control products to the market.
In this session you’ll discover how we managed to automate human interaction and real world behaviour in order to boost the quality and confidence in our AI-powered physical security solution.
Anton Angelov
Automate the Planet,BulgariaCTO and Co-founder of Automate The Planet Ltd, inventor of BELLATRIX Test Automation Framework. He is also the author of 8 bestselling books, including 'Design Patterns for High-Quality Automated Tests' in C#/Java and the 'Automated Testing Unleashed' series, which present innovative approaches to test automation. A multiple recipient of the 'QA of the Year' award, he is listed among the top 100 most influential IT people in Bulgaria and has been honored with the 'Overall Contribution to the QA Community' award. Anton leads teams of passionate engineers helping companies worldwide succeed with their test automation, consults firms, conducts training series on automated testing, and delivers lectures at major QA conferences globally. He has spoken at more than 50 conferences across the world.
Navigating Modern Authentication in Automated Testing
In the realm of software development, authentication plays a pivotal role. The talk delves into the essential scenarios required for the effective testing and automation of authentication processes. Participants will explore strategies for automating contemporary authentication methods, including passwordless entry via email and SMS, as well as Single Sign-On (SSO) with services like Facebook and Google. The session will also cover approaches for managing more complex cases such as secured forms with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHAs in the development of automated tests. Furthermore, we will examine various techniques to optimize the speed of tests, including methods to bypass authentication forms and the use of web APIs. This comprehensive exploration is aimed at equipping QA professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge to efficiently handle modern authentication challenges in automated testing.
IJle Feenstra & Ghislain Gabriëlse
Squerist, NetherlandsIJle Feenstra is Business Unit Manager and Principal Test Management Consultant at Squerist. Specializing in service development and the evolution of software testing, he has extensive experience across the financial, telecommunications, logistics, and industrial sectors. IJle excels in aligning business and IT requirements, with notable roles including improving test processes and developing test (automation) strategies. In his primary role, IJle manages a team of specialists in the Southwest region of the Netherlands, covering cities like Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Gouda, and Vlissingen.
DeTesters, Netherlands
Ghislain Gabriëlse is a Test Automation Consultant at deTesters, specializing in Automation Strategy and Rollout for clients across diverse industries. He excels in designing and implementing test automation solutions that empower teams to create a variety of tests, enabling them to effectively and efficiently validate their products. Ghislain is also a seasoned workshop tutor, with his most popular offering being a 1-day Playwright workshop.
Warp-speed your Automation
Desperate for warp-speed acceleration of your test automation runs? Eager to improve test data management but uncertain how? The tools at your disposal are burning a hole in your budget, or they simply don't align with your organizational needs. And, critically, can you guarantee your test data complies with GDPR regulations?
In this session, Ghislain & IJle will walk you through a proven, next-generation approach—a revolutionary method of managing test data that yields unexpected benefits, all while using Star Trek – Next Generation as a metaphor. The Star Trek theme aligns perfectly with the creation and implementation of a next-generation TDM tool, as the process follows the same innovative and forward-thinking spirit portrayed in the tv series.
This session navigates through the challenges in the Test Data Universe, covering:
• The dilemma: 17 feature teams hindered in delivering features to main.
• Root cause: test data used by Automated Tests.
• Investigation: of current Test Data Management approaches and why these all fell short; Too expensive, Not part of or supporting our SDLC, No support for process orchestration (Camunda), Extensive lead time to implement
• The solution: to build our own Test Data Service —an innovation that broke free from traditional TDM tooling.
• How this service works; built into our test environment, it seamlessly integrates with existing data creation of our Test Automation suite, the service delivers precise datasets for each automated test.
• Benefits, to name a few; a warp-speed acceleration of our test executions (30-50% faster), 99% stability (up from 20%), GDPR complaint
• Quick to implement (10 weeks)
Brace yourself to be inspired by this out-of-the-box solution!
Grzegorz Holak & Konrad Gomulski
PTB/Sii Poland, PolandGrzegorz Holak is ISTQB Certified Expert Level Tester. Tester who likes automation and technical considerations. Fan of Lego, mountains, German highways, and more recently a fan of home automation with Home Assistant. On a daily basis he fights for better software quality at Sii Poland and tries to support QA within SJSI (Polish Testing Board).
Konrad Gomulski is Test Automation Engineer at Sii Poland and Certified Tester Expert Level (ITP). Member of Polish Testing Board. Day by day goofing around with automation, mostly in Python. Technical Dude at a few conferences, sometimes technical trainer and speaker. In free time roller/ice skater and a fantasy books reader.
Behind the scenes of test automation - stories from the lives of testers
We want to take you on a journey through the world of problems and challenges that we have faced over the years in our daily work as a Test Automation Engineer.
Relaxing Presentation with some humour on Our Challenges in the Daily Life of a Test Automation Engineer: This presentation offers a lighthearted look into the daily challenges faced by us in test automation. We will briefly introduce the technologies we work with and then focus on challenges—not the big, technical ones, but rather those more grounded in our everyday routines. We will discuss five common challenges, each of which we aim to address by suggesting possible and practical solutions that we ourselves strive to implement. The key message of this presentation is to acknowledge our humanity. Whether occasionally or frequently, we all face challenges, often more common among our peers than we might think. It's important to embrace the idea that it's okay to be imperfect and to not shy away from admitting our imperfections.
Bogdan Rakočević
Mozzart, SerbiaBogdan Rakočević is a Test Consultant, Test Manager, and Test Process Improver with almost a decade of experience across a spectrum of industries, some highly regulated, such as banking, gambling, and voting systems industries.
As a holder of the ISTQB Expert Level certification in Improving the Test Process, Bogdan has consistently leveraged his knowledge to elevate his clients' test processes to the highest standards, helping them to deliver software that meets or exceeds their quality expectations.
He is recognised as the first and only TMMi Accredited Assessor in Southeast Europe, highlighting his expertise in test process maturity assessments.
Bogdan holds an MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Belgrade.
Enhancing Resilience in Economic Crises and Inflation Through TMMi Implementation
In times of economic crises and rising inflation, businesses face the challenge of maintaining competitive edges while sustaining or enhancing product quality and optimising cost efficiencies. The Test Maturity Model integration (TMMi), recognised as the world's leading model for test process improvement, provides a structured path to help organisations navigate these challenges.
Drawing on insights from personal experience and providing real-world examples, this session explores how implementing TMMi Maturity Levels 2 and 3 can be a strategic approach to enhancing business resilience during economic downturns.
Greta Petkova
PSInteractive, BulgariaWith nine years of experience in software testing and development, Greta has worked across diverse industries such as finance, human resources, media, marketing, hospitality, and automotive. She specializes in mobile, web, and performance testing, and is passionate about helping teams build thorough testing processes and strategies from scratch.
Her expertise has significantly impacted quality assurance in different projects, cutting regression testing time and enhancing overall product quality and performance. Greta is passionate about designing and implementing stable and scalable test automation frameworks, particularly for mobile and web applications.
In her daily work, she aims to implement best QA practices and keep the testing frameworks up-to-date with the latest technologies.
Greta tries to involve all team members in software testing, seeing product quality as a shared objective rather than solely the responsibility of QAs. She believes that mentoring less experienced team members and guiding them to apply the best QA practices in their daily work is essential for building high-quality products.
Greta is not just a QA engineer; she's also a passionate traveler who believes the best bugs are found in both code and exotic destinations!
Quality assurance as a critical partner for business success
In this presentation, I will share how we developed a testing strategy from the ground up, selected the right automation tool, and built and integrated a framework tailored to our needs. Discover how we reduced the regression time significantly and effectively combined manual and automated efforts to achieve outstanding business results.
Irja Straus
CroatiaIrja Straus is an experienced quality engineering lead helping organizations as a contractor and consultant. She started her career as a software tester and business analyst, after which she took over the product manager role in the first Croatian unicorn. After a multi-year product adventure, Irja accepted the challenge of establishing testing practices and integrating quality from early on. For the past few years, she has focused on modern exploratory testing, developed quality engineering practices and processes, and established collaboration between teams in multiple companies and various industries. In addition, she is an active member of several communities focused on testing and quality, and can often be found as a guest at international conferences.
Lead Your Way Into the Future by Managing Up
"Congratulations! The company is going through a major reorganization, and you will lead a new test team." I said, "Finally! Challenge accepted!". Everything was fine until one fine spring day I received a message from my boss: "Can't we just automate all the tests and make them green?".
I thought years of experience in different roles would make me ready for the challenge, but things weren't quite as evident as they seemed at first because I understood the priorities differently. I thought my priority was leading a team. But after that message, it became clear - my job is not just to "lead the team" but to "lead the people above me" first.
The above becomes more critical considering the trends of reducing company management positions, where we often see test managers being let go. That is why we must become our own test managers and master the invisible skills of managing up.
In this talk, I'll share my experience and how I learned (the hard way) that managing up is a crucial skill for a tester but somehow invisible because no one teaches it to us. I want to tell you the story and elevate the visibility of those skills so that tomorrow, you can use them to have agency over your work and successfully move your career forward.
Angela Shalievska
Qinshift, North MacedoniaQuality/Test Engineer at Qinshift with over 3 years of experience. Worked on diverse projects with broad experience in telecommunications and various aspects of software testing. Specialized in streamlined testing processes, ensuring software quality bring efficiency, precision. ISQTB certificated, passionate for enhancing software reliability and dedicated to align strategies with unique project goals. Angela shares that she has been passionate about abstract painting and has had a strong interest in medicine since childhood.
Unveiling the Power Behind Ensuring Safety and Efficacy in Healthcare Testing
Universally acknowledged that medical device and healthcare industries are experiencing a significant boom, driven by groundbreaking innovations that are fundamentally improving both the quality and longevity of human life. Testing Medical Devices plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of medical devices in the healthcare industry. There are many innovative devices and systems now under development by engineers and clinicians that have the potential to be cost-effective solutions for delivering improved patient outcomes. But how do we ensure these solutions meet the rigorous standards necessary for patient safety? Despite technological advancements, medical device testing faces challenges, including ensuring reproducibility, addressing variability in patient populations, and adapting to rapidly evolving regulatory requirements. Harmonization of testing standards across different regulatory jurisdictions is crucial to facilitate global market access while maintaining high standards of safety and efficacy.
This paper provides a comprehensive exploration, explaining why it is important, and gives examples from real-world case studies, applications, benefits, and challenges. The importance lies in its ability to reduce risks associated with medical devices, safeguard patient health, and enhance overall healthcare quality.
Wim Demey
CTG, BelgiumWim has amassed more than 26 years of experience in software testing, during which he evolved into a versatile generalist, proficient in various aspects such as people and operational management, technical implementation, service delivery, and presales.
Driven by versatility, a down-to-earth, and pragmatic attitude, Wim always explores opportunities to stretch his comfort zone and take on new challenges.
In his spare time, Wim is a passionate AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) and enjoys running and gravel biking.
How LEGO building techniques make me a better tester
Yes, finally a story where Wim could combine two of his biggest passions: software testing and LEGO. In the world of software testing, creativity and problem-solving skills are essential. One effective way to develop these skills is by practicing with LEGO building techniques.
To avoid any misunderstanding, this talk is not about LEGO Mindstorms, often used as a gamification method for training. It begins by explaining specific LEGO building techniques such as SNOT (Studs Not On Top), gear ratio & torque, GBC (Great Ball Contraption), and greebling (enhancing LEGO creations by adding visual interest).
If you don't yet see the link to testing, don't panic. Each LEGO building technique comes with insights, viewpoints, and concrete examples that are perfectly applicable to a wide range of testing activities.
By applying these techniques to software testing, testers can enhance their ability to identify potential problems and bugs in software, developing their creativity and problem-solving skills. LEGO building techniques can help testers become more proficient at their jobs and more effective at identifying and solving problems in software development.
Hans Börjesson
Test scouts Sweden AB, SwedenHans Börjesson is a meticulous man fascinated by the field of software testing. He is currently working with MedTech but has a background in air and train traffic control. The complex ways of working in a large organization offer endless opportunities for improvement – challenge accepted.
The unique holistic perspective of the software tester
Who am I? I am a thorough, lateral thinking man that has a holistic view when analyzing what the next step should be. I call myself a renaissance man since I always search for new knowledge within different fields. I have a background as an environmental officer that I traded for a surprisingly similar career in software testing. As a tester I have mostly worked with large projects in large companies.
As a small part of a large project it is very easy to get stuck in details, be blinded by numbers and key figures. Figures that may look good on paper, but risk being irrelevant to the end goal. How relevant is it that your tests cover all requirements if the tests or even the requirements are sub par to start with? Do we test the right things? Do our test results add the value that they should? Does your organization capture your input in a good way? All of this is questions that we constantly should ask ourselves in order to keep our work and by extension our product relevant, but this can be difficult. To question accustomed working methods often face opposition from other stakeholders since change is difficult and might be experienced as unpleasant.
However. As testers we have a unique position within software development as we often are the first, and sometimes the only, people within the organization that see and experience the whole and complete product. We communicate with many different stakeholders and try to visualize what the end user will think of what we have built. We must therefore not lack the courage to make our voices heard and to bring suggestions for improvement.
My talk will focus on the importance of lifting one's gaze and looking at the whole picture of a project instead of getting swamped by the little things. As testers we are used to questioning and scrutinizing things, this is why we are very well suited for this role.
