Kosta and the Masters of QA

Kosta is the first QA engineer Web Factory had. He has a bachelor's in computer science and experience of more than 10+ years as a QA engineer. His task was to establish the QA team, create a strategy, and integrate it as a part of all projects. His mission is to educate all QA engineers in the team to be able to create and execute a QA plan. Read all about Kosta’s experience and how he created the team in Web Factory

Master of ping pong :)

What is your role at Web Factory?

My role is QA Team lead, Mentor, and Senior QA engineer. I take care of the whole QA team, follow their careers, introduce new technologies and practices. Also, I am in charge of creating our intern’s program, document templates, best practices.

As a mentor, I have made the program for juniors and interns. I am proud that actually I was a mentor to most of the members of the team either juniors or seniors. Keeping a close eye on their daily tasks and progress, I am trying to make sure to show them as much as possible.

My goal is to show all QA engineers what actually QA is and how to fall in love with it. To show them that QA is not just simple clicks on a website :).

What are the challenges you are facing in your everyday work as a QA engineer?

Hmmm, a lot :) from trying to do the best at my project to keeping a balance between developers and project managers, mentorship, and guidance of junior developers. My biggest challenge these days is time management, I am trying different techniques and slowly getting some results.

I was the first QA engineer in Web Factory, and I can say that was the first challenge for me here. I was assigned to establish the QA operations in the company. I am proud of my team today, what we have built within these years is amazing.

When I first came to Web Factory, the founders just told me: “You are here to tell us what we need to do :)”.

So I did; I am happy I got that challenge and opportunity. My goal is to show everyone in the company that QA is part of the application’s life cycle and a crucial one.

Today at Web Factory, it’s unimaginable not to have a QA engineer from the start of the process including pre-sales. We successfully integrated QA in all projects so far.

My next challenge is to introduce automation and new tools to the QA team as much as possible, to keep track of the latest developments and practices. I am proud that now there are several QA engineers that have the sense to start and execute the whole QA process of an app.

What have you gained from working at Web Factory?

I will just use several words to answer this:

• Respect
• Harmony
• Friendships
• Inspiration for working
• Good chemistry.

Do you have any hobbies, go-to weekend activities, or long-term passion projects you’re working on?

Yes, I love to swim. I come from Ohrid, a beautiful city located on Ohrid lake. It’s from ancient times and some people are calling it the Jerusalem on the Balkans.

It’s well known around Europe and abroad. I have been swimming since I was a child, so that is kind of my everyday activity.

Another thing I love is football, I am so passionate about it. I have played professionally for a short period, but now mainly with friends and colleagues. At least once a week I gather around with them. Well, I can say I love sports in general :).

How do you like remote work and how did that affect your life?

Remote work has changed many things for me, some for good and some for bad. But in general, I like working from home. I miss the office btw, and I hope Web Factory will open an office in Ohrid one day :)

I spent more time with the family which I liked a lot, my daughters and my wife was around me all day long. I started using the time more effectively and the commute time was time for the family in the morning, which was great.

Saved on time and gas :D

How do you spend your weekends?

Mainly I am taking a walk with the family or friends in a park, watching some sports match or just chilling around the city.

Kosta and his family, enjoying the weekend days in the beautiful Ohrid nature

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

To be part of the "Third Servile War" also known as the Gladiator War and the War of Spartacus, to be right next to Spartacus.

If you ask why; let me explain. This rebellion, interpreted by some as an example of oppressed people fighting for their freedom against a slave-owning oligarchy, has provided inspiration for many political thinkers and has been featured in literature, documentaries, and movies.

What's your favorite quote, or motto?

“Less is more” simple as that :)

Tell us something that nobody knows about you in the Web Factory?

I am not sure that there is such a thing, but here it goes :D.

I cried at the finals of the World Football Championship in 1994 when Baggio missed a penalty and Italy didn’t become a world champion.

Which was your favorite cartoon as a child and why?

"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe", The most powerful man in the universe, He-Man, goes against the evil forces of Skeletor to save the planet Eternia and to protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.

Ahhh I miss those days.

Want to hear more about how to change your career and become a QA engineer?

Write to us and we will make sure you get connected with Kosta. He can explain what he did, how he did it, and where he’s at now. He is always happy to tell the story over a call or to consult you about your QA career.