Being a specialist in a team

We Not Me

To bring specialists into teams with different skill sets takes good communication and a knowledge of the history of the team you’re integrating. Doing this well means everyone can point their skills at solving problems.

Ash Winter is an experienced software tester who has a particular interest in how teams and organisations work. Ash has been a software tester for over 15 years, and has experience as a consultant, helping organisations improve their testing processes.

In his role he’s seen a wide range of team structures and sizes, and he’s particularly focused on the challenges and opportunities of being a specialist within a team.

Three reasons to listen

• Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of being a specialist in a cross-functional team
• Explore the impact of team history and dynamics on integrating new specialists
• Learn about the evolving role of software testers and their influence in modern development teams

Episode highlights

• [00:09:14] Testing teams
• [00:14:29] The problem with "embedding" into a team
• [00:16:30] The Spotify model
• [00:19:48] Communities of practice
• [00:22:57] Agile methodologies with multidisciplinary teams
• [00:28:05] The benefits of a coaching qualification
• [00:30:19] Ash's book recommendation
• [00:31:42] Takeaways from Dan and Pia

Links

• Connect with Ash via LinkedIn
• Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow, by Matthew Skelton & Pais Manuel
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni
• The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement, by Eliyahu Goldratt
• The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win, by Gene Kim
• Leave us a voice note