A PAGE TALKS ABOUT (Empowering Mid-Career QA Professionals: Shift from Functional Roles to Automation Excellence)
Tags: testing, qa, selenium, automation
Published: 2024-03-21 05:36:06


_**MY EXPERIENCE WRITING AND SPEAKS**_

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**A PAGE TALKS ABOUT column** features the story titled **_‘Empowering Mid-Career Professionals: Shift from Functional Roles to Automation Excellence’_** within the section **_‘Empowering the Workforce’_** aligning with one of the primary objectives of the **@rewirebyautomation** channel.


![Shift from Functional Roles to Automation Excellence](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lwqve4et0e4hsf2zd5m2.png)

I formulated this story based on my firsthand experience and observations at the ground level within the Workforce area, particularly focusing on the QA Professionals and the gaps that exist or were overlooked in the Automation line. My intention is to present this story to bring attention to these gaps and provide a pathway for professionals who are truly considering the Automation line as their next career move, especially in light of the ongoing technological advancements across all fields.

I have concentrated on two segments within the realm of QA Professionals. The first segment is referred to as the _**‘Dark Zone’**_ comprising professionals with over 5 years of experience in functional roles who aspire to transition to the Automation path but find themselves unable to embark on this journey due to various reasons. One possible barrier is a lack of sufficient information on how to initiate this transition and uncertainty about which tools and technologies to prioritize.

The second segment of QA Professionals is referred to as the _**‘Variable Zone’**_ consisting of individuals who have initiated learning about relevant tools but encountered obstacles in progressing further or sustaining their journey of transformation. This stagnation can be attributed to various factors such as a lack of clarity on the optimal path forward, or difficulty in translating theoretical training into practical experience.


![Dark and Variable Zones](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4c4ikkw9gb615y1pqxjy.png)

Both of these zones of QA Professionals initially undergo an assessment of the _**‘State of Reality’**_ which involves understanding their current position, the expectations of their organization and customers, and the direction in which the market is advancing about specific technologies.


![State of Reality](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/z9dqznevaettfgoz0c6u.png)

_**Furthermore**_ it’s crucial for QA Professionals to comprehend the gaps, scope, and areas of interest, as well as to possess the enthusiasm to embark on a continuous journey of transformation, requiring substantial efforts. They should also be open to engaging in conversations with Automation Domain experts and fully embrace the Automation journey as a means of career advancement.

Taking into account the realities and gaps in both the _** ‘Dark’ **_ and _**‘Variable’**_ zones, I have summarized the following path, aiming to empower professionals to confidently initiate their journey and enhance the Automation path as a means of career advancement, while simultaneously addressing the overall needs of customers and organizations.

In the _**‘Dark’**_ zone, professionals should first assess their _**‘State of Reality’**_ and produce outputs as prerequisites, which will inform the subsequent action plan consisting of _**three phases: Consult, Plan, and Action (CPA)**_. I strongly advocate for professionals to dedicate ample time to the **_‘Consult’ phase, engage with experts_** cultivate an Automation mindset, and select appropriate tools and technologies aligned with their interests and the needs of customers and organizations. This phase should yield a selection of tools and technologies tailored to one’s area of interest, thereby benefiting one’s career progression.

The _**‘Plan’**_ phase is another crucial stage that empowers you to commence your journey with confidence. However, the nature of the plan should follow the Agile Model, incorporating an incremental approach, self-reviews, and adaptability to evolving needs. Most importantly, this phase should include the conclusion of the training, translating theoretical knowledge into practical workouts, and constructing capstone projects. It’s noteworthy that many individuals face challenges at this stage, and a lack of implementation insights often leads to setbacks.

In the _**‘Action’**_ Phase, I observed that a significant portion of the workforce struggled to adhere to the formulated plan, encountering various challenges along the way. Regardless of the circumstances, it is imperative to persist in the journey, employing smart techniques to acquire knowledge within specified timeframes. Continue the journey until you achieve proficiency in at least one tool and technology, transforming it into a case study. This approach will enable you to cultivate a set of multi-talented skills that align with the industry’s expectations.


![Dark Zone](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wiw5uvbjouxxpauw4izx.png)

In the _**‘Variable’**_ zone, it is essential to undergo the _**‘State of Reality’**_ exercise, extracting outputs that serve as inputs for the **_‘CPA’_** strategy. Alignment with the **_Consult, Plan, and Action (CPA) strategy is crucial_**, with a heightened emphasis on addressing gaps, translating training into practical workouts, implementing Capstone Projects, and actively participating in corporate assignments. Quality Consultation significantly boosts confidence in the journey, especially when coupled with the implementation of the _**‘Agile Model’_ ** plan as described earlier. The _‘**Action**’_ Phase involves two specific elements often overlooked by professionals — keeping abreast of the latest updates or advancements in tools & technology and mastering the chosen tool & technology. QA Professionals must prioritize these elements to scale up in their career advancement.


![Vairable Zone](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hmma1sajwa0vtarbaee9.png)

Please refer to the picture below, which summarizes the importance of _**CJOT (Continuous Journey of Transformation)**_. I will emphasize two key elements during the journey of adopting Tools & Technology: cultivating a Process-Oriented Mindset, which facilitates effective progress in the journey and enables the elimination of unforeseen issues at the initial stage; and being capable of delivering and presenting just in time, showcasing an efficient overall journey.


![CJOT](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lie0lfclkzcdmme2wbkd.png)

Another key element that I emphasize as part of **_CJOT_** is the **_‘Accept Change Mindset.’ _**Throughout this journey, we may encounter various dynamic factors in different formats. As travelers on this journey, it is crucial to embrace change, plan for it, absorb the changes, and implement necessary adjustments. This mindset is essential for maintaining stability in the face of any ups and downs during the journey.

In summary, referring to the scaling up of the journey that encompasses continuous transformation as a whole, I’ve structured it into **_three categories: ‘Existing,’ ‘New,’ and ‘Opportunities’ (ENO Model)_** to keep you updated on this journey. My key elements in this approach are encapsulated in **_‘Adopting Automation Soft Skills’ _**(refer to the session on my YouTube channel: [@reWireByAutomation](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sujnWmnjfymbp2TqXr0HQ)) and **_implementing ‘CJOT’ (Continuous Journey of Transformation)._**

Refer to the image below for an overview of the Scale-up strategy


![Scale up Strategy](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gao4cuijgi69jb5n9tg4.png)

In conclusion, I would encourage you to embark on this journey using the _**‘SMART’**_ technique. This approach is designed to meet your needs, address demands, and ensure a smooth and adaptable professional journey that aligns seamlessly with technological advancements as you progress.

Please refer to the image below, which illustrates how to leverage the _**‘SMART’**_ technique to swiftly adopt tools & technology and acquire the multi-skills required for the current needs.


![SMART](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/x4zzxxfa56grrx9hy91h.png)

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**_Please refer to the video below that presents the story on the  [@reWireByAutomation](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sujnWmnjfymbp2TqXr0HQ) YouTube Channel._**

{% embed https://youtu.be/hQ4jBG7gLgo?si=kHe7NX6nyvgAXfB5 %}

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Finally, _**‘A PAGE TALKS ABOUT’**_ column from the @reWireByAutomation channel concludes this story to support QA Professionals. As a pipeline story, I will soon publish **_‘How to Choose Opensource Solution and Commercials Tools’_** which aims to provide valuable insights to QA Professionals in both the **_‘Dark’_** and **_‘Variable’_** zones.

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**_@rewirebyautomation Signing Off !!!_**