Myths, cognitive biases and mental sets in QA

In Quality Assurance, we’re often surrounded by myths, mental sets, and cognitive biases that shape how we think and work — sometimes without us even realizing it. In this talk, I'll focus on some common myths in QA, like the belief that quality is only the tester’s responsibility or that more testing automatically leads to better quality. I will also explore how mental sets — such as the idea that everything should be automated or sticking to familiar ways of working — can hold us back in terms of quality improvement.

I believe the only way to break free from these constraints is by diving into solid theories (because there’s nothing more practical than a good theory) and applying rational decision-making. I'll show how frameworks like ISO standards and concepts like Goodhart’s Law can guide us. By using the scientific method, we can overcome these myths and biases, leading to better decisions and, ultimately, better quality.
 

Learning outcomes

• Understand and question some of the prevalent myths in QA that might be limiting your team’s effectiveness
• Identify how mental sets can reduce innovation and adaptability in your QA processes.
• Learn about biases like authority bias and groupthink, and how they influence your decisions.
• Discover the practical value of theoretical frameworks and how they can improve your QA practices