The Overlooked Skills: Leadership and Software Testing in Design

In our fast-paced and ever-evolving design industry, some essential skills get neglected, often to the detriment of both the project and the team. This article will explore two such skills: leadership and software testing. While leadership might be a familiar concept, the importance of software testing in the design process is often underestimated.

Leadership: A Necessity for Every Designer

One of the most overlooked qualities in design is leadership. Leadership is not limited to those with titles like Senior Designer or Team Lead. As a designer, you have the responsibility to advocate for your customers and inspire your stakeholders to align with your vision. Effective leadership involves facilitating, motivating, giving constructive feedback, and building a strong team. These skills are not only beneficial in a design context but can also be developed through various means, such as joining organizations like Toastmasters International.

Developing Leadership Skills Through Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization that helps individuals improve their public speaking and leadership skills. By joining a Toastmasters club, you can practice these essential skills in a supportive environment. Regular participation not only enhances your public speaking abilities but also helps you refine your leadership style. Over time, you will gain valuable experience in facilitation, motivation, feedback, and team building. Although the initial investment of joining Toastmasters might seem modest, the returns are substantial when compared to traditional business schools. You can find a club near you by visiting Toastmasters International - Home.

Software Testing: Essential but Often Ignored

Another overlooked skill in the design and software development process is software testing. This discipline is often neglected both during education and in actual software development. While testing might seem like an obvious and universally applied practice, the quality and depth of testing can significantly impact the success of a project.

Challenging Common Assumptions

To illustrate the importance of software testing, let us consider a hypothetical situation involving vampires and zombies. Imagine a scenario where a team of vampires and a team of zombies need to be assigned to design and testing roles. My colleagues suggested that the vampires should be the designers and the zombies should be testers, with zombies being good at repeating tasks and vampires being capable of designing complex systems.

However, this approach would be highly problematic. It is crucial to recognize that even the most experienced designers make mistakes. Just as the most experienced developers might overlook bugs or flaws in their code, vampires in our hypothetical scenario might make errors in their designs. On the other hand, zombies performing repetitive tasks are reliable and tireless, but they may struggle with communication and tact, which are vital aspects of testing.

Understanding the Full Scope of Testing

Software testing goes beyond simply pressing the up and enter keys. It involves a comprehensive process, including setting up the test environment, developing test cases, running tests in a logical order, and comparing expected results with actual outcomes. Effective testing ensures that the software functions as intended, meeting the specified requirements and adhering to programming standards.

As we continue to develop more complex systems and integrate sophisticated technologies such as machine learning, the importance of a well-defined testing process becomes even more critical. Every system, no matter how complex, needs to be thoroughly tested to ensure reliability and functionality.

Conclusion

Leadership and software testing are two essential skills that often go uninvestigated in the design industry. By developing these skills, designers can enhance their ability to advocate for their customers, inspire their teams, and ensure that the software they create is robust and reliable. Whether through Toastmasters or other means, investing in these overlooked skills can be a transformative experience that benefits both the individual and the organization.

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