In this second episode with Rob Wade, host Mike delves deep into the world of QA and its crucial role in tech growth. Rob shares his wealth of experience and unique insights on measuring quality, the importance of dialogue, and the challenges of remote work. Filled with thought-provoking discussions and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to master the art of tech growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

QAs can act as blueprinters, shaping projects before development begins, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Bouncing back and forth between states in a workflow indicates a breakdown in interpretation and process.
The worst and most expensive place to find a bug is in production, as it leads to context switching and delays.
Documenting time spent in each status can help identify bottlenecks and improve throughput.
Hybrid work models offer flexibility but require discipline to maintain productivity and avoid burnout.
Communication is the most important factor for tech venture growth, as it drives action and alignment.
Constructive conflict is necessary for decision-making and avoiding hidden issues that can hinder progress.
As projects progress, discussions about changes should become increasingly trivial, with major decisions made early on.

BEST MOMENTS

"The best compliment you can pay me is that I'm a pedant. Because that is why I'm here." (02:29) Rob discussing the importance of QA's role in finding problems and being meticulous in their work.

"If you get buy-in for that mindset in a team, that production's a bad place to find it, then you have an easier life because they don't want it to happen that way." (03:31) Rob emphasises the importance of catching bugs before production and getting the team to understand that mindset.

"If you've got people who work on a kind of standard day in their territory, you lose the kind of point - you have to a minimal point of synchronisation where they can actually touch base and compare notes." (10:57) Rob discusses the challenges of working with distributed teams across different time zones and the need for synchronisation.

"I think the opportunity of being able to kind of shape stuff before you start building it is the bit that, you know, QAs can act as kind of blueprinters to help everybody get on the same page in terms of what we're trying to achieve." (08:07) Rob highlights the value QA can bring by being involved early in the process and helping to define the project's goals.

"Businesses talk about productivity in terms of we're paying you for your time. We expect you to work for us during your time, not an unreasonable position. Employees are thinking about productivity in the sense of what can I get done in a day." (21:48) Rob discusses the different ways businesses and employees define productivity, particularly in the context of remote work.

"You should always have everybody in the team moving towards the same goal for the business, which is continued growth and success. But you need everybody to kind of be aligned on what that looks like, what the definition of that is." (46:21) Rob stresses the importance of having the entire team aligned and working towards the same business goals for growth and success.

"I want the discussions around what needs to change to become increasingly trivial as you get closer to the end. So the big, you know, significant shifts in functionality and look and feel in kind of overall working are decided earlier and at the end, it's about do we make that button red or yellow?" (51:36) Rob explains his philosophy on project management, where major decisions should be made early on, and discussions should become more trivial as the project nears completion.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Defining Productivity in Tech: Insights from Rob Wade Part Two

Mastering Tech Growth