A quality tester

Aside from theoretical awareness and practical experience, how can we identify a quality tester?

Some testers have an uncanny ability to find obscure (though important) defects, others have extraordinarily high productivity and some have a highly technical proficiency. Whilst these abilities are important, what are the qualities that determine a well-rounded, high quality testing professional? Such a question may be posed within recruitment drives, personnel development initiatives and general HR discussion for teams that provide testing services.

I use the following list to describe the type of work and general approach that I encourage within the test teams that I manage.

A quality tester:

1. Maintains a positive, flexible, self-motivated and innovative approach to their work
2. Challenges assumptions, improves clarity and provides information of value
3. Considers test activities to be adaptive and evolutionary, designing a test strategy and plan that implements testing activities that suit the testing subject, its operational environment and stakeholder requirements
4. Employs cost-efficient and effective test methods, tools and resources
5. Will report the most severe instance of a defect
6. Takes pride in their work and ownership for defects
7. Is cognisant of (although undeterred by) the negative reactions associated with testing
8. Is able to examine systems in unusual ways and create situations that expose problems
9. Creates clear, concise and high-yield test cases that account for alternate flows and variable test input values
10. Will balance the need for focus and curiosity and maintains sound judgement in pressure situations
11. Participates in test theory evolution through open discussion
12. Able to identify, discuss and promote the benefit of testing activities and communicate effectively with people of varying technical proficiencies
13. Is a veracious learner whose primary skills are those of observation, investigation, analysis and evaluation

What are the important attributes that you seek in quality testing professionals?