Engineering Quality

In this episode of Engineering Quality, Veronika, Ale, and Royalee are joined by renowned agile testing expert Janet Gregory to explore what it really takes to build a strong quality culture in modern engineering teams.
Together, they unpack the realities of consulting in different organizations, how to assess quality culture, and why testing is often misunderstood as the problem instead of a symptom. The conversation dives into holistic testing, the role of communication, and how small behavior changes can drive big cultural shifts.

We discuss:
Why “fixing testers” is often the wrong approach

How to assess quality culture through observation, questions, and patterns

The impact of silos and “silence” on team effectiveness

What holistic testing really means in practice

How to create shared ownership of quality across teams

The role of leadership in enabling strong quality practices

The episode also explores what testing leadership looks like in today’s world, especially as teams move away from traditional roles toward shared responsibility. From empowering testers to use their voice to helping leaders advocate for quality, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to improve how their team builds and delivers software.

Connect with Janet: 
🌐 Websites: https://janetgregory.ca/ and https://agiletestingfellow.com/ 
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetgregory 
🦋 BlueSky: @janetgregoryca.bsky.social

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💼LinkedIn: Engineering Quality
🎥 YouTube: @EngineeringQuality
🌐 Website: https://www.engineeringqualitypodcast.com
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Engineering Quality, Veronika, Ale, and Royalee explore what productivity really means in engineering and why being busy doesn’t always mean being effective.
Together, they unpack the myths around multitasking, discuss the impact of constant context switching, and share practical strategies for protecting focus in a world full of meetings, notifications, and competing priorities. The conversation dives into personal productivity systems, from calendar blocking and weekly planning to time audits and task management tools.
We discuss:
Why productivity is about doing the right work, not just more work

How context switching and multitasking reduce real output

Time-blocking and protecting deep focus time

Practical tools for managing tasks, calendars, and priorities

Setting boundaries and learning to pause before saying yes

The episode also explores how productivity connects to clarity of goals, team alignment, and organizational culture. From personal systems that reduce cognitive load to leadership practices that enable focus, the discussion offers practical insights for engineers, testers, and leaders trying to stay effective without burning out.
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💼LinkedIn: Engineering Quality
🎥 YouTube: @EngineeringQuality
🌐 Website: https://www.engineeringqualitypodcast.com
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Engineering Quality, we’re joined by two influential voices in the quality community: Anne-Marie Charrett, author of The Quality Coach’s Handbook, and Fiona Charles, founder of Quality Intelligence.
Anne-Marie shares insights from her experience as a quality coach, explaining how the role differs from traditional testing and why quality is ultimately a leadership responsibility.
Fiona dives into the realities of influencing change, facilitating workshops, and navigating resistance in organizations of all sizes.
We discuss:
The difference between a tester and a quality coach

How to influence without authority

Why roadmaps alone don’t drive transformation

The importance of allies, networks, and facilitation

Balancing impact with visibility in large organizations

The conversation also touches on career growth, community, the evolution of quality roles, and the human side of transformation. Whether you’re working in a startup or a large enterprise, this episode offers practical insights for anyone expected to lead quality with title or without.

Connect with our guests:
Anne-Marie Charrett: https://www.annemariecharrett.com/ Fiona Charles: @fionaccharles.bsky.social‬

Follow us on social:
💼LinkedIn: Engineering Quality
🎥 YouTube: @EngineeringQuality
🌐 Website: https://www.engineeringqualitypodcast.com
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Engineering Quality, we sit down with Ali Feldman, a seasoned tech recruiter with experience across engineering, product, and leadership roles. Ali shares her insights on the evolving tech job market, how candidates can stand out, and practical strategies for navigating recruiting challenges in today’s competitive landscape.
We discuss:
Current trends shaping tech recruiting, including AI in applications and interviews

What makes a resume or LinkedIn profile stand out and what raises red flags

Strategies for reaching out to recruiters without overdoing it

How to navigate layoffs and pivot thoughtfully to your next role

The value of video screens, in-person interviews, and understanding company culture

Whether you’re actively looking for a job, considering a career change, or just curious about how tech recruiting works today, this episode is packed with actionable advice from someone who’s seen it all.

Connect with Ali:
🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-feldman/ 

Follow us on social:
💼LinkedIn: Engineering Quality
🎥 YouTube: @EngineeringQuality
🌐 Website: https://www.engineeringqualitypodcast.com
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Engineering Quality, we’re joined by Shaquanna Brown, an experienced Agile coach and BizOps leader, to explore the connection between Agile maturity, team alignment, and software quality. Shaquanna shares her insights from leading Agile transformations and helping organizations embed quality as a shared responsibility.
We discuss:
How Agile maturity correlates with sustainable, high-quality software

The importance of fully integrating testers and quality engineers into cross-functional teams

Common misconceptions about Agile, including “Agile means fast” and “Agile doesn’t require planning”

The value of a strong Definition of Done and Definition of Ready

How leaders’ actions impact Agile adoption and team effectiveness

Whether you’re a tester, developer, product manager, or engineering leader, this episode offers actionable strategies to improve collaboration, reduce rework, and ensure quality is baked into every stage of delivery.

Connect with Shaquanna: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaquanna/ 

Follow us on social:
💼LinkedIn: Engineering Quality
🎥 YouTube: @EngineeringQuality
🌐 Website: https://www.engineeringqualitypodcast.com
Email: [email protected]