How to become a Test Architect

One of the fastest-growing areas within the technology universe, software testing, has test architecture as one of its main processes.

With a market increasingly focused on the customer experience, it is essential that companies carry out testing and checking processes on their products not only before their official launch, but throughout their entire development.

This guarantees the highest level of quality in the final product, increasing the chances of offering a positive experience to customers.

However, the testing process of a product in development can be quite complex, and to use the full potential of this process, a specialized professional is required, one who is able to develop strategic plans involving several areas.

That is where the test architect comes in. Check out more details about this area and the prerequisites to get started

What are the functions of the test architect?

There are 3 forms of work within test architecture: those who work exclusively performing the tests; the results analysts; and, finally, the specialists in the architecture itself.

Each of them has different responsibilities. In this post, we will talk more specifically about the test architect, who is responsible for setting up the testing infrastructure and environment.

This includes, among other things, the preparation of the tools that will be used and the training of the team to execute the tests, in addition to the continuous search for improvements in existing processes.

In their daily routine, the test architect will start by working on the creation of testing environments and the structuring of their process together with each of the teams involved. In practical terms, we can mention the following actions in this professional's routine:

• Develop strategic plans for the testing efforts;
• Develop and implement automation frameworks aimed at optimizing the execution of tests;
• Act as a technical leader, supporting the production of complex tests;
• Define and manage test architecture methodologies, processes, and tools;
• Stay up to date, researching methods and techniques of the software testing sector, aiming to continuously improve quality practices;

What knowledge does a Test Architect have?

To become a test architect, knowledge in different areas is required, such as development and project management. This professional is also expected to have experience as a tester, since this will serve as a basis for a deeper understanding of the different types of software tests, such as integration, unit, functional, non-functional, performance tests, among others.

In addition, it is essential that this professional has technical knowledge in different areas. Check out the main ones below:

• Programming languages (JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, etc.);
• Operating systems (Linux, Windows Server, etc.);
• Architecture and databases (including advanced knowledge of SQL);
• Configuration of testing environments;
• Complete software project life cycle;
• Test automation solutions;
• Fluency in English (there is no way around it, practically everything in the IT field is in this language!)

Among the main tools used by the test architect, the following stand out: Maven, JUnit, Soap UI, JMeter, Postman, and Git.

Regarding the behavioral skills, a critical and analytical eye, good leadership, ease of working in a team, the ability to think in a