We've been doing a big refresh at Ministry of Testing and I thought it would be worth sharing what we are up to and where we are heading.
Our goal is to become the most useful resource place for software testing and quality engineering professionals. We are niche and that shows in the fact that we talk about testing, quality, testing and then quality again! There is nowhere else that does what we do. Sometimes this comes with the depth of coverage. Other times it is with the frequency, every week we are shipping multiple pieces of useful insights. Our network is a key part of this too, community has always been at the heart of what we do.
We are independent and care deeply about our industry and our goal is to support the people and the advancement of our craft with positivity, care, action and professionalism. And perhaps most importantly we are striving to be a modern place for testing. Together we can create an software testing industry that inspires us and is fit for the future.
This is how and why we are doing what we are doing:
Professional Membership
Our Professional Membership is designed to provide software testing professionals a supportive and learning focused space to grow. It wants to help you go places. You can choose between Professional or Unlimited (Professional + all certifications + TestBash) Membership.
So what? Our goal with Professional Membership is variety. We offer the most comprehensive range of resources available for software testing professionals.
Why it matters: Finding and learning from a whole bunch of people facing similar challenges that you face is crucial for any profession.
What's more: We hope to save you time by doing the research for you. We find people. We find stories. We find news. We gather data. We do this to enable you to make better decisions in your software testing job.
Testing Trends
Testing Trends is a new and core part of our Professional Membership offering. It is where we bring the news to you. It is where we do research and gather data. Stay on top of Testing Trends is an essential need for every software testers professional development.
So what? Professional development comes in many forms, staying on top of trends is a key part for any software testing professional. It's also an overwhelming minefield out there. Testing Trends is something every software tester should have at their finger tips.
Why it matters: The world moves fast. Knowledge and understanding is power. As software testers we must stay in the loop and be inspired to take action based on the world around us.
What's more: Ministry of Testing is an independent company, and our outputs are never influenced by sponsors.
OnDemand Courses
We host a variety of OnDemand courses created by practicing software testing professionals. These are designed to be short and topic focused.
So what? Build up your career knowledge ondemand with access to any of our ondemand courses.
Why it matters: Learning from other practicing professionals matters. And from the other perspective, it is also important for professionals to develop teaching skills to help advance our software testing industry.
What's more: We're always working on new ondemand software testing courses. There are currently 3 in the pipeline.
Certifications
We currently have 3 Test Automation Certifications and we are soon to launch our Software Testing Essentials Certification.
So what? Software testers are always looking for ways to add credibility and qualifications to their portfolio. At Ministry of Testing we aim to be that modern provider of software testing education certification. Our focus is to bring in learning insights to what matters to modern day testers.
Why it matters: Our industry suffers from antiquated education and perspectives on what quality means. We have our fingers on the pulse and our goal is to bring the modern focus to software tester's education.
What's more: We build our certifications with multiple and practicing software testing professionals, diversity is key to everything we do!
TestBash
TestBash is our now annual software testing conference that we are hosting in Brighton. We use to do multiple per year, across the world, but as we know COVID happened, so we've gone back to basics. TestBash is an opportunity to gather, learn and build those very important relationships you'll rely on for the rest of your career.
So what? TestBash is a conference built upon the work we do all year around. This is what makes it special. It's not just a conference, it's an opportunity to build upon what we already have.
Why it matters: We understand that conferences are a commitment that come with barriers to entry, mostly with time and the cost involved. However they strengthen our industry through relationships are great for career advancement in addition to ongoing knowledge sharing.
What's more: TestBash has been going since 2012, we've recorded all our talks and make them available to Professional Members.
The Testing Planet & Other Testing Talks
We've evolved over the years with the content we've produced. What has stayed consistent is our willingness to adapt and innovate. We currently host a mostly monthly virtual gathering of talks and sessions under the brand of The Testing Planet. Previously we've done similar activities and called them Masterclasses, AMAs, etc.
So what? Our community is alive all year around. We're not just a conference. We are here for you 24/7/365.
Why it matters? Opportunities to learn and teach should exist all year around. We are here to bring them to you.
What's more: We keep an archive of all our content. Use our search or browse our Collections to find what you are looking for.
Badges
Badges are now available as part of your Professional Membership. They exist to recognise that learning and contribution to our community is valuable and can happen in a whole variety of ways.
So what? Badges is another way to prove professional credibility. Show them to your boss as you achieve them, or use them to prove to future employers that you actively participating in your education.
Why it matters: We build Ministry of Testing with the people. Badges is one way to recognise the support and contributions that people give to our network.
What's more: Badges are in their early stages of release, contribute to our community to surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
Radar
Our Radar is where we find news, podcasts, blogs and YouTube channels for you to follow.
So what? It's hard to keep up with what everyone is sharing and writing about. We are here save you time by bringing it to you.
Why it matters: Other voices matter and help us to connect and open our minds to opportunities to think differently.
What's more: Our Radar is updated daily, come back often!
The Club & Slack
The Club is free for all to contribute. Our Slack is a quieter space made for Professional Members and anyone who has purchased or contributed something from Minisitry of Testing.
So what? Contributions happen in many different forms. The Club is great for getting help and having a history of discussions. Our Slack is more focused on collaboration and supporting each other in a more active way.
Why it matters: Variety of communication is the spice of life, we are here to help!
What's more: We use the Slack as a place to gather and network for our TestBash conference too.\
Upgrade to Professional Membership
🪐 Let's go places, upgrade to Professional Membership
