The tension between Users and QA

16 Feb 2026

A woman and man on a video call.
In this moment: Simon Tomes Kaarina Mikalson
Kaarina explores how a highly skilled tester’s sense of “this is a problem” often diverges from what real users experience as a problem.

And what is the scarcity mindset?
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Simon Tomes
Community Lead at MoTaverse
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Hello, I'm Simon. Since 2003 I've had various roles in testing, tech leadership and coaching. I believe in the power of collaboration, creativity and community. 🎓 MoT-STEC qualified. I get real joy working with and supporting our wonderful MoTaverse community.

“Thanks for making me feel so confident about myself.” | “I'm so grateful for all you do in the MoTaverse community, I learn so much as a result!” | “A simple chat with Simon in person absolutely changed everything.” | “Simon is one of the best people that I've ever met to have conversations with. He's so grounded in his way of thinking and articulates his thoughts so well and his feelings and his knowledge about community and everything.”

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