Category Archives: Freelance - Page 2

If you want to be a millionaire – phone a friend

Posted by on August 16, 2008 2 comments

 

I was asked to quote for a job recently on some testing in an area that I had little experience in. After confidently replying to the customer “no problem, I’ll have a quote to you by the end of the day…”, I started googling furiously, trying to gain some understanding of at least what I was meant to be quoting on.

By the end of the day I was in a complete sweat. I was going round in circles trying to figure out what I ought to charge for this piece of work.
As the sun set, so did my desperation and I decided it was time to “phone a friend”.

Recently I had entered into some loose agreements with fellow consultants. Perhaps “partnering” is the correct word. Basically the idea is that, if I have too much work, or work I don’t typically perform comes my way, I pass it onto fellow consultants, and they vice versa.
So, in my hour of need, I rang on of them and I tell you what, it was like a miracle. As it turned out, my ‘partner’ happened to be an expert in this area and was quite happy…nay excited to quote and do the work if necessary.

What a fantastic result! Not only did I get to keep the professional relationship with my client I also get to help out another consultant.
I really learnt something from this experience and that was not be afraid to ask for help. In hindsight, I had been hesitant to ask for help because I thought it reflected poorly on me, I didn’t want to appear to be inadequate in front of either my client or a colleague.

 

Now I know, if I want to become a millionaire.. I need to be able to “phone a friend”………

 

How I setup a software testing consultancy

Posted by on February 10, 2008 12 comments

One question that keeps popping up into my inbox is …..I want to setup a software testing consultancy…any advice?

Ohhh yes. Heaps of advice. I don’t know if it will do anyone any good, but I have heaps of advice. However before I start down that path, I thought a far better and honest approach would be to share with whoever is  interested  how I started my consultancy business.

So, a bit of history.

Setting up a Test Consultancy in Australia

By 1998 I had worked on some great testing areas such as European Compliance Testing, R&D for some companies who really  knew about testing… Nortel and IBM to name drop a few. But to be honest, the corporate path never interested me. So with a decision I took totally lightly I setup a company. Easy Peasy. It cost me $600 Australian dollars and there it was, AMH Solutions Pty Ltd.

I got loads of work, mostly through contracting and though I would have preferred to work directly with a customer, I never gave the issue much thought.

Then I had kids.

Determine your Test Consultancy Success

I still really wanted to work, but I decided that considering my new found responsibilities, part time or freelance would be preferable. I figured that running a consultancy was ideal, if I could just find the work.

The first thing I did was go back to my old companies I had worked for. I explained I wanted freelance or part-time work and what do you know, within three weeks I was employed running a test management role for three days a week.

So things ticked along. I got additional work through word of mouth. I also contacted a few agencies and they kept me on the books for short term work only. I got some great jobs through that.

The Best thing about a Test Consultancy

For most of the time, I have really enjoyed it. One thing I have never regretted is working for myself. I love it. I enjoy the challenge and the freedom that it provides me. I get to set my own goals, where I want to be and what direction I want my company to take. I define my own success.

I am happy.

Freelance Testers – a smarter, cost effective way for startups

Posted by on October 28, 2007 49 comments

ITnews had an article recently on startups. It examines what to look for in a startup, and also how to minimise the risks. Here’s an excerpt:

‘A startup’s immaturity will be reflected in the quality and capabilities of its product. As you would when considering an established vendor, a CIO must conduct technical due diligence….You can minimize these risks in several ways. First, do extensive pilot testing, and start with a small deployment’

A good freelance software tester can provide real benefit to startups by verifying and/or validating software at a reasonable price. This builds confidence in a product and is useful for promotional purposes. Its also useful to demonstrate third party verification of technical claims when seeking additional funding.
This is how a freelance software tester can reduce cost yet still provide a quality service.

Freelance software testers are ‘on-demand’

The nature of software testing demands flexibility as the testing effort often fluctuates throughout a software development life cycle.

At the beginning of an SDLC, test planning, scheduling and scoping of tests takes place. It can be a very busy time for testers, scoping out whats to be tested, prioritising tests, planning and creating test cases, organising the test environment, the list can go on..

However, there’s often a lull after the initial frantic test planning. This is where all test cases are written, the test environments is ready, and testing is ready to start. The trouble is, often the software to be tested is not.

Even when the software testing starts, it can be a start, stop, start affair as major problems are found and require fixing. These are not necessarily related to code, but can be in installation, configuration etc. A tester isn’t always needed but should be on call for when testing does begin.

It goes without saying that a software tester is available during the test execution phase, and perhaps due to time demands, needs to test beyond normal work hours.

A freelance software tester works only when its needed, this is a big saving in cost. This way you can still afford a quality software tester at a lesser price.

Freelance software testers listen to the customer

A good freelance tester, will be a good listener. By understanding the demands on a business, a freelance software tester is able to adapt the testing to meet the needs. This can be a great cost saving, as needs are met first and foremost. See my post on http://www.blog.testingtimes.com.au/?p=25 for the types of questions a freelance software tester should ask.

Freelance software testers are flexible in approach

A good freelance software tester understands the three key demands placed on any software project, namely, cost, time and quality. They have the liberty to be flexible in approach to testing in order to balance quality against its natural enemies; time and cost. If time is an issue, a freelance tester is able to prioritise the testing to ensure key functionality is tested. Budgets can be effectively managed by using ‘on-demand’ testing and fast-tracking planning where possible.

Freelance software testers need to you succeed

Like any other freelancer, reputation is paramount. A freelance software tester’s reputation is built on getting excellent customer referrals. They don’t rely on big marketing budgets or a platoon of sales people for their next job. They need their client to succeed and be profitable. That way, not only does word spread, but they get repeat business. It’s in our interest to ensure that you have the best quality product to sell.

Of course many of the attributes I have described in this article can be found in software testers everywhere. However, a freelancer has the added advantage of passing these cost savings on directly to the client, without the commitment of long term contracts.

The full ITnews article can be found at http://www.itnews.com.au/News/59326,opinion-startup-fundamentals.aspx

Anne-Marie Charrett runs a software testing company that specialises in testing software for high-tech companies and startups.