AMA about System Testing
17 Mar 2026
System testing is often seen as just the top of the Automation Pyramid, which can lead it to being minimized to a dangerous point.
This has been my focus during my career, and I am always happy to advocate for when to, and when to not, test at the system level (automation and exploratory, but I'll mostly focus on automation here. Simon Tomes has an excellent AMA for Exploratory Testing)
So...
AMA about System Testing
Just reply with a question in the comments and I'll reply with a new moment per question – and will tag the person who asked it.
Answers available in this collection.
This has been my focus during my career, and I am always happy to advocate for when to, and when to not, test at the system level (automation and exploratory, but I'll mostly focus on automation here. Simon Tomes has an excellent AMA for Exploratory Testing)
So...
AMA about System Testing
Just reply with a question in the comments and I'll reply with a new moment per question – and will tag the person who asked it.
Answers available in this collection.
Charles Penn
Senior Test Engineer
He/Him/His
Software tester in the Midwest of the US.
Typically happy to discuss testing of any sort, geeky things, and parenting.
Rosie Sherry
Where is systems testing heading in the age of AI?
Ady Stokes
How do you define 'system' in system testing? Also, you should write a glossary entry for it.
Simon Tomes
If you could create a new system testing model to debunk the automation pyramid, what would it look like?
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