Quality Assurance Analyst (UnionWare)

As a Quality Assurance Analyst at UnionWare, your primary responsibilities include creating and executing end-to-end test plans, reviewing functional specifications, and developing manual and automated test cases. You will actively participate in daily stand-ups and sprint meetings, evaluate test results, and report any potential quality issues to management. It's crucial to ensure that deliverables meet all functional and design specifications.

To be considered for the Quality Assurance Analyst role at UnionWare, you should have a university degree in Computer Science or Business Administration, or equivalent work experience. A minimum of 2 years in software testing, both manual and automated, is essential. Experience with TestComplete, basic knowledge of VB.NET/VBScript, and SQL understanding will give you an edge in this position.

UnionWare offers a hybrid work environment for the Quality Assurance Analyst position, where candidates can work remotely while attending in-person meetings in Winnipeg once a month. This model provides flexibility, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments effectively.

Important skills for a Quality Assurance Analyst at UnionWare include strong attention to detail, effective communication abilities, and time management skills. Additionally, having a solid understanding of software testing practices, both manual and automated, as well as technical skills like SQL and familiarity with XML will be beneficial.

At UnionWare, we value the professional growth of our team members, including Quality Assurance Analysts. We offer opportunities for participating in training sessions, workshops, and conferences. Additionally, you'll have the chance to work closely with experienced professionals who can mentor you in enhancing your technical skills and advancing your career.

In prioritizing testing tasks, I evaluate the project requirements, deadlines, and the impact of potential defects on the end users. I typically use a risk-based approach, focusing on high-impact features and functionalities first, ensuring that critical applications are tested adequately without compromising quality.

I have substantial experience in both manual and automated testing. In manual testing, I focus on exploratory testing and usability to identify issues. For automated testing, I have utilized tools like TestComplete to create scripts for regression tests, which significantly reduces testing time and increases coverage.

After identifying a bug, I ensure to document it with clear reproduction steps, the expected outcome, the actual outcome, and any relevant screenshots or logs. I then prioritize the bug based on its severity and impact and escalate it to the development team within our tracking system.

I regularly attend industry conferences, webinars, and read relevant blogs and publications. I also participate in online communities and forums where professionals share new insights, best practices, and tools. Continuous learning is essential in the fast-evolving field of software testing.

My approach to ensuring quality involves making testing an integral part of the software development lifecycle. I advocate for early testing and collaboration with developers from the outset, ensuring clear definitions of done, and incorporating feedback loops throughout the process.

I worked on a complex financial application that required testing within tight deadlines. To handle this, I focused on risk-based testing, identifying the most critical functionalities. I collaborated closely with the development team to ensure quick turnarounds and communicated effectively with stakeholders to manage expectations.

I prefer tools such as JIRA for issue tracking and TestRail for test management due to their user-friendly interfaces and robust reporting capabilities. They allow me to organize test cases effectively, track progress, and gain insights into testing metrics, which is essential for maintaining quality.

To ensure I comprehend functional requirements, I engage in thorough discussions with stakeholders and product owners. Additionally, I review all specifications in detail, taking notes and seeking clarifications on ambiguous areas, which is critical to develop accurate test cases.

I have a basic understanding of SQL, which I use primarily to validate data integrity within the software application. By writing queries, I can check the correctness of data flows and ensure that user inputs and outputs are accurately reflected in the database.

When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize key functionalities and streamline my testing processes by leveraging automation where possible. Effective communication with my team also plays a crucial role in managing time efficiently, ensuring that any blockers are addressed promptly.