WeTest.SKG

When I stepped into the role of a quality coach after working as a Test Lead, I was energized and confident. I had a solid foundation in testing, strong facilitation skills, and a passion for mentoring. I thought I was ready. But the reality turned out to be far more complex than I had anticipated.

Supporting multiple teams as a quality coach introduced me to a whole new level of challenges. I wasn’t just solving testing problems anymore. I was navigating agile dynamics, DevOps hurdles, and organizational expectations that weren’t always clear or aligned. One of the biggest challenges I faced was understanding and clarifying what “better test coverage” actually meant to leadership, and then translating that into meaningful goals for the teams I was coaching.

I quickly realized that coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, setting the right context, and helping teams prioritize quality in a way that fits their reality. And doing all of that while trying to show visible impact in a short time frame is no small feat.

In this talk, I’ll take you through my journey what worked, what didn’t, and what I wish I had known from the start. I’ll share the tools and techniques I now rely on to guide teams toward building a stronger quality mindset and making meaningful progress. You'll hear how I help teams take ownership of their quality practices in a way that aligns with their goals and context.

As we wrap up, I’ll open the floor to a conversation we all need to have. What does quality coaching look like in the age of AI? The challenges are evolving, and so must we.


Key Takeaways

1) Understand what a quality coach contributes to teams and the broader organization.
2) Uncover the unknown unknowns of quality coaching and learn how to navigate potential pitfalls.
3) Discover tools that can support your quality coaching journey