Magda HARMSE
QA Manager and Project Lead
LexisNexis
Magda Harmse, Experienced QA Manager and Project Lead at LexisNexis with a demonstrated history of working in the information services industry. She has won the SASTQB National Tester Excellence Award 2018. Apart from this, she has done a few specialized courses in Change Management, Testing Techniques and Project Leader training.
Magda is an active participant in our community and has received the Golden Feedback of the Week Award. In order to know more about her background and gain some insight into her passion for the work she does in Quality Assurance, we decided to ask her a few questions about her experiences, personal development, and advice for those looking to advance their QA careers.
How did you get into QA and can you share insights on your early days in your career?
Initially, I was hired as a developer at Korbitec as part of Graduate recruitment. During upskilling phase worked with test cases and found a couple of serious defects. My manager has asked me why you don’t move to QA space? I’ve moved to QA and started working in QA and never looked back.
Can you brief about LexisNexis?
LexisNexis South Africa is a leading provider of content and technology solutions, and part of RELX Group plc, a global provider of information solutions for professional customers in more than 175 countries. South Africa LexisNexis® has been assisting companies and professionals to remain abreast of changing legislation and shifts in the regulatory environment for over 80 years, using leading-edge technology, tools, and online solutions. LexisNexis South Africa’s divisions include LexisNexis Academic, LexisNexis Legal Information and Compliance, LexisNexis Data Services and LexisNexis Business Software Solutions.
You have won the SASTQB National Tester Excellence Award 2018. Can you brief about it?
It has qualifying criteria for this award like designing automation framework, building awareness in the software testing space. My focus is working on improving the IST modules. In general, my passion is to move from the traditional Waterfall model to Agile, where testing is agile rather than adapting waterfall practices in an agile environment.
What does your typical day look like as a Quality Assurance Leader?
Meet with development managers, to discuss progress regarding the team structure and development. Adapting and explore new technology and tools, methodologies to ensure my team works efficiently.
We present all our investigations to the management committee. Collaboration with my team as well as the other team’s HR and other parts of the organization. I work with quite a few divisions and departments in the company to ensure my team runs efficiently.
You are handling multiple teams. How do you empower them?
I value each and every one of my team members. They are free to explore the different testing tools and present those to the team. We are recognizing the testers by giving away the “SQA Recognition awards monthly. We also have LN Spots U and Values awards for all employees. I am hoping to build a team that strives to be the best at what they do to deliver the best to our clients.
Things are changing rapidly in Quality Assurance. Who are some people you follow/look up to?
Following the latest testing topics and content not confined to a specific person. My view is a generic one. I like to view topics from different angles to ensure I get the full picture.
Can you share your wisdom of thoughts to the aspiring quality assurance professionals?
You should make time to improve your skills. Open your mind to explore and broader view of QA Systems.
What products/apps/services do you use on a regular basis?
Using a variety of tools
- Migrated from Test Link To QA Touch for Test Management
- Jira
- SoapUI
- Bugnet
- SVN
- VMware
- Docker
- Selenium
- ZAP
- Qualis
What can the fellow QA Touch community do to win recognitions like you?
QA’s are undervalued. Attend the conferences and grow your network. Keep up the hard work in the QA space and keep the passion.
Thanks very much for this opportunity to present myself as a member of a community that has always embraced its members with a genuine desire to spread prosperity and positive work acclaim!!
Thank you, Magda! You inspire us to do better.
