The QA Mindset_ Think Like a User

1.

The QA Mindset: Think Like
a User
Kimi AI
2025/08/05

2.

Contents
01
Mindset Shift
02
User-Centric Techniques
03 Build & Apply

3.

01
Mindset Shift

4.

QA Is User Shield
QA Mission
User-Centric Focus
QA's mission is to protect users
QA should anticipate how users
from frustration. It's not just
will interact with the app at odd
about verifying functionality but
hours, with limited patience.
ensuring the user experience is
This mindset helps prevent
smooth and error-free, even in
issues that could break their day
stressful situations.
and erode trust.

5.

Tester vs QA Thinking
Tester Approach
A tester follows predefined steps to check if the app works as written. They focus on pass/fail outcomes based on
specifications.
QA Approach
QA thinks about the user's emotional context. They consider scenarios like late-night typos or accidental taps and
demand safeguards to prevent user frustration.
Example
For a delete account feature, a tester checks if the account is deleted after confirmation. A QA asks what happens if
the user clicks by mistake at 2 AM.

6.

02
User-Centric Techniques

7.

Live Through Personas
Personas in Testing
Replace abstract test data with personas like Sarah, a busy mom who needs large buttons, and Alex, a student who double-clicks
submit. Test flows through their eyes to uncover hidden pain points.

8.

Probe Edge Negatives
Beyond Happy Path
User Experience
Real users rarely follow the happy path. Deliberately
test edge cases like appending spaces to emails,
yanking Wi-Fi mid-upload, or hitting back buttons to
ensure graceful recovery.
Focus on the user experience. Ensure that the app
provides clear feedback and error messages, even in
unexpected situations.
Silent Failures
Example
Look for silent failures and cryptic messages that could
chase users away. For example, check if the app
handles unexpected inputs or interruptions without
breaking.
Test what happens when a user uploads a file larger
than the limit. Does the app provide a clear error
message, or does it silently fail?

9.

Exploratory Quest
Exploratory
Testing
Example
Conduct short, time-boxed
In a 10-minute session, I opened
exploratory sessions where
a registration form, typed an
curiosity drives random
email, clicked Tab, and pressed
interactions. This approach
Enter. The form submitted
uncovers issues that formal test
without validation, revealing a
cases often miss.
critical bug.

10.

Enter Key Bug Tale
Bug Discovery
Impact
Fix
During a quick registration test, I
The bug showed that the form did not
The development team added an
pressed Tab then Enter and watched
validate fields when the Enter key was
onKeyPress check to prevent form
the
fields,
pressed. This could lead users to think
submission without validation. This fix
returning an error 500. This bug was
the site is broken, causing them to
was identified through exploratory
uncovered by thinking like a hurried
leave.
testing, not scripted tests.
user.
form
submit
blank

11.

03
Build & Apply

12.

Daily Mindset Gym
Daily Practice
Start each day with a 10-minute exploratory session on mobile
under slow 3G. Ask what the dumbest yet plausible action is and
log anything that feels unfair to a stressed user.

13.

QA Empathy Rules
Empathy
Trust
User Perspective
Example
Great QA pairs relentless
Champion fixes that
Adopt a relentless user
A bug that causes a user
curiosity with deep user
preserve trust, not just
perspective. Every bug
to lose their progress can
empathy. Recognize that
those that keep the build
report should reflect how
be devastating. QA
one tiny confusion can
green. Quality should
the issue impacts the
should advocate for
lead to permanent churn.
enhance user loyalty.
user's experience.
solutions that prevent
such issues.

14.

Your Next Click Test
01
Immediate Action
Open any public site and perform the least expected sequence within 60
seconds. Note the first moment you feel lost or frustrated.
User Experience
02
That moment of confusion is a goldmine for QA. It highlights areas where the
user experience can be improved to prevent churn.
02

15.

Protect Trust Always
User-Centric QA
Quality as Love
Example
Remember that QA is about
Let empathy drive each bug report.
A simple fix like adding an undo
protecting the user's trust. Adopt a
Quality should enhance user loyalty
option for a delete action can save a
relentless user perspective and
and turn the product into a source of
user's day and build long-term trust.
explore beyond requirements.
love.

16.

THANK YOU
Kimi AI
2025/08/05