We recently connected with Kristina Daduryan and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristina, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
When I chose the name of my brand, “The Art of Quality Assurance”, I wanted to capture the essence of testing.
I’ll rephrase a quote from a blog I read years ago: ‘You can’t really say to someone, “Just do this and this, and now you’re an expert tester.” It’s more like, “Start by doing this, and do it again and again for years, and you’ll get good at it.”‘
That resonated with me deeply. I think that’s why people often see testing as a mysterious ‘mindset’ that some have and others can’t learn—similar to how people view art. Many believe art is a talent you’re born with, ignoring the years of hard work behind it.
This belief discourages people from trying. I wanted the name to reflect that testing, like art, is a skill that can be developed and mastered over time with dedication, practice, and passion.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have over 15 years of commercial experience as a software quality assurance engineer. My educational background includes a BSc in Informatics and an MSc in Software Technologies. I’m genuinely passionate about what I do—so much so that it never feels like work. Looking back, I’m most proud of helping others learn new skills, secure jobs, or master software quality assurance as a profession. These experiences have been enriching.
My current project, The Art of Quality Assurance by Kristina Daduryan, emerged naturally as I noticed how prevalent social media is in our lives. The core idea behind this project is to demonstrate that software testing is a profession anyone can master with consistency, passion, and dedication. I aim to make the complex terminology, processes, and techniques of software testing accessible through real-life examples.
My goal is to simplify these concepts for everyone who wants to understand them. There’s a saying that if you can’t explain what you do to a child, you don’t truly understand it yourself. This approach drives my mission to teach others in simple terms, which helps them fill gaps in their knowledge and better understand the subject. This method, inspired by the Feynman Technique, shows that breaking down complex concepts into straightforward explanations not only aids learning but also reveals areas that need further clarity.
I also share popular learning techniques and time management strategies on my website and social media.
Some of my upcoming projects include an online software quality assurance course designed for beginners and those looking to deepen their knowledge or fill gaps. This course features practical exercises simulating real company scenarios, quizzes for each lecture, and common interview questions.
Additionally, I’m working on e-books that will cover essential topics such as creating the perfect portfolio for quality assurance specialists and real interview questions. I also support perfecting CVs and LinkedIn profiles for job applications and consultations on interview preparation and conduct, including examples of actual interviews.
Through these initiatives, I strive to empower individuals in the industry and help them confidently achieve their career goals.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Two resources that have profoundly influenced my management and entrepreneurial thinking are Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp.
From Never Split the Difference, I learned the importance of Active Listening through techniques like “mirroring” and “labelling,” which build trust and gather essential information. The concept of Tactical Empathy taught me how to understand others’ perspectives and address their concerns effectively. The Accusation Audit technique provided insights into proactively addressing potential objections to facilitate smoother negotiations.
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership shaped my approach to leadership. Their focus on Personal Responsibility encouraged me to take ownership of my actions and foster a culture of accountability. The Commitment to Integrity emphasized the importance of aligning actions with core values. Additionally, Generative Thinking inspired me to approach problems with curiosity and openness, while the Commitment to Creating a Culture of Trust enhanced my understanding of building effective team dynamics.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristinadaduryan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofqualityassurance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theartofqualityassurance/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-quality-assurance
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristinadaduryan
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.art.of.qa
Image Credits
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