Thoughts before MoTaCon: The quality institute

Continuing with an experiment. Let's look at the talk and workshop descriptions of MoTaCon 2026 and share my thoughts and reflections before the talk/workshop has happened. And then, hopefully, share my thoughts after MoTaCon — for those I'm able to attend live or watch back via the recording.

Susanne Abdelrahman plans to close out MoTaCon with a talk: 'Can we actually co-own quality?'

The talk description piques my interest because it describes an ongoing and recurring theme across the MoTaverse. It's one of those super tricky questions with many layers of complexity. I initially think of a Call for Insights conversation with Ash Winter where we dive into where quality engineers can best spend their time. We discuss the importance of identifying high value activities and working out when its the right time to pass on and redistribute various quality related activities to other disciplines.

As I like a rhyme I'm drawn towards the following words: Redistribute, institute and contribute. As in, some form of institution is required to ensure redistribution of quality activities is successful — as Susanne mentions in her talk description, "with enough structure and guidance".  And the contribute part reminds us that it must be clear how different roles can contribute to quality. Much like how in a community folks need to know how they can contribute!

I then start thinking about systems and what Seth Godin likes to describe as the invisible structure that produces the outcomes you see. How could a new kind of quality institute fit in? How can a quality institute respect the existing systems present within an organisation? And how can the quality institute effect change in those existing systems? 

The quality institute might not have all the answers upfront and rightly so, how could it? Yet it's set up in a way where folks can feel out their roles and their relationship with quality supported by those with solid experience of what it means to deliver quality software, products and services.

Susanne has an incredible writing style and has a knack for telling engaging stories. I'm very much looking forward to her talk and the thoughts, reflections and ideas sparked in the audience.