Kaizen & Jeopardy

(Image courtesy of rachmansyah.web.id)

A few years ago, I was introduced to the concept of "Kaizen". The  Japanese phrase is translated literally as "change for good". The Americanized concept has come to mean "Continual Improvement". I latched onto this idea with my whole being. I instantly recognized this to be my raison d'être. I see my purpose as a human to continually strive to be better than I am. I believe that regardless of your religious inclination, this is a universal truth. It is beneficial for everyone to be better than they are. I recognize this as important for me, and I'd love to help others in any way I can.

Another concept that I believe in is humility. I know that probably sounds contradictory coming from this post, but the idea that you must recognize the need for improvement before you improve is the foundation of any learning. In life, like the game show 'Jeopardy", finding the question is much more difficult than finding the answer. That said, I recognize that while I am the Professor of this "class", I must also be a student. I encourage thoughtful response and critique. I'd love to discover my ignorance and "learn how big the world is". Hopefully, I'll soon look back on this blog and chuckle in a way only wisdom can evoke.

Just What the Heck is QA Anyway?

Michelangelo's Blockhead Slave (9 feet
1-1/2 inches tall) stands in the Galleria
dell'Accademia in Florence. 
(Image courtesy of HowStuffWorks)

Over the years, I've learned the truth that while many have heard of "QA", not much is really understood about this profession, or the professionals in it. I would like to shed some light on the business of Quality Assurance. More specifically, the Quality Assurance that goes on in Software development.

I realize that entering this sphere, I may stomp on some toes and offend some opinionated individuals, but I'd like to use this as a forum to present my ideas, and receive thoughtful feedback as I endeavor to improve my understanding and practice.

The photo on the right seems to symbolize the aim of Quality Assurance. I believe that we, as QA professionals, aim to finish and refine our work. We understand that this may never fully conclude at the end of the project, but higher quality is what we aim for.