Who really are test architects? In my opinion, it’s just a fancy name generally associated with a skilled tester. In most of the cases he/she might be in charge of several business processes irrespective of their link to the actual software tests. In addition, any role covering a wide range of responsibilities and activities or any senior testing role can also be included. However, the title is not considered the best fitting one, as it doesn’t give an accurate description of any test architect.
So, what should be an accurate description of a good test architect?
If we go by the assumed definition of a test architect, no test architect is involved in the same role as compared to his colleagues across different projects or organizations. Even with so diversified assumption, you cannot list the responsibilities, duties, and tasks of a majority of the test architects. You can find a test architect involved in the testing infrastructure development of a company, whereas one test architect might be responsible for a particular technology in a different company. Moreover, there are companies where the test architect is responsible for managing a group of people or are involved in a series of consulting. In either of the cases they are referred as test architects.
But, do test architects have anything in common?
Irrespective of the role of a test architect, every test architect must provide strategic decisions and technical leadership to the team. An adept test architect must also have the knowledge of the deliverables post its release.
So, who actually can be called a test architect?
A proficient test architect must have the basic and required knowledge of testing. In addition, he/she must also be familiar with the best practices, techniques, and methodologies applied to testing. The role of a test architect is critical to a project, as they work in close association with the manager and acts as a leader and strategy maker for the entire team. Test architects are also responsible for delivering responsibilities; it includes some inherited responsibilities from the manager like implementing changes, adjustments to boost the team growth, and more.
So, a testing architect is a person with multiple talents, most preferably at a senior testing level. The name doesn’t have to be same across different companies, but now you can figure out who exactly can be referred as a right test architect.
