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In the software world, two roles are key to making sure products work well: testers and quality engineers (QEs). These roles might sound similar, but they’re quite different. If you’re part of a team or planning a career in tech, it’s helpful to know what sets these jobs apart.
This article breaks down what testers and quality engineers do and how they work together to create great software.
Roles and responsibilities
Testers are hands-on with the product. They focus on running tests to find issues. Here’s what they usually do:
Create and run manual or automated tests.
Find and report bugs with clear steps for developers to follow.
Test fixes to make sure they didn’t break other parts of the software.
Work with developers to understand how features are supposed to work.
Testers are like detectives for software — they’re looking for anything that’s not working right.
Quality Engineers take things a step further. They work on making sure the whole process of building software is solid. Here’s what they do:
Build systems to automate testing.
Add tests to tools that run automatically during development.
Test how the software handles heavy use, security risks, or big data.
Teach teams better ways to code, test, and release software.
QEs usually have strong technical skills, like coding, and focus on preventing problems before they start.
The big difference is their focus:
Testers look for problems in the software that already exists.
Quality engineers build systems and processes to avoid problems in the first place.
Tester or quality engineer: what’s your role?
Does it matter if you’re called a tester or a quality engineer? It does — because your job title often shows what your main goal is.
A tester’s work is task-focused, while quality engineers take a more mission-driven approach. The goal of a tester is to ensure the quality of the product (and log bugs when necessary). In contrast, the goal of a quality engineer is to design and develop the process or approach.
How ReportPortal supports the QA process
ReportPortal supports not only testers and quality engineers but also professionals across various roles in the quality assurance and development process. It’s equally valuable for management roles (Test Manager, Project Manager, Development Manager, Portfolio Manager), technical roles (Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Software Engineer in Test), and strategy roles (Quality Assurance Lead, Quality Assurance Architect).
By providing real-time insights, widgets for tracking QA and test automation metrics, and seamless integration with test frameworks and CI/CD tools, ReportPortal empowers teams to collaborate effectively, streamline processes, and deliver high-quality software – no matter the role or responsibility.
Additionally, ReportPortal offers the following services to elevate software quality:
Whether you see yourself as a tester or a quality engineer, remember that both roles share the same ultimate mission: to ensure the best possible experience for users. What matters most is not the title, but the impact you make.