A few observations on graduates of Rapid Software Testing course

I was into studying of heuristic-based exploratory testing approach and methodologies for at least 2 years prior to taking of the course. I took the course in 2011. Blogged about my experiences.
I’ve kept broadening and sharpening my skills since then. Blogged about my path as well.

With time, I also gathered a number of observations on people who took or received Rapid Software Testing training. The results are different. Yet I think there’s a pattern, and it points to a problem.
Without names and places, I’m sharing my observations below.
I ask everyone to contribute their observations. I’d be happy to know that it breaks the pattern I observed.

2 kinds of people

There are two kinds of people: those who deliberately paid to take the RST training and those who were given that at work. First kind includes those who paid their own money or those who worked on getting it paid by employer – so still had it earned. Second kind just received it as a corporate training or was sent to attend the public class that their employer paid for.

Those who paid for it

1. Who they were

• Proactive employees and testers
• Recognized many problems with poor testing practices
• Wanted to do better
• Were already studying their craft online and with books

2. What they did

• Took the course very seriously and worked on getting value, as they paid their own money
• Have been consciously practicing new techniques
• Have been actively looking for ways to apply new knowledge and skills at work
• Looked for like-minded professionals to learn collaborately

3. How they’ve changed

• Kept further expanding their skillset
• If weren’t before, joined Context-Driven communities online and locally
• Their value at work has significantly increased, so has their job confidence
• Experienced progressing of their career; moved up in the companies or got new, higher level jobs

Those who received it

1. Who they were

• Intermediate or senior level permanent employees
• Some good folks who deserved the benefit just like the others

2. What they did

• Happily took time off regular work and had fun at the training
• Proudly added RST attendance to their resume, right next to ISTQB certification

3. How they’ve changed

• Picked up “safety language” tips that go well along with CYA habits
• Liked mindmapping, blink testing, and couple of other tricks
• Complained that it’s all fun but there’s nothing to apply “in the real job”
• Completely forgot about the training in 6 months

Ain’t that a sad pattern?

And I don’t mean a first part of it. It’s the second part I’m worried about.

Again, as I already wrote above: I’ll be happy to learn of the examples that contradict my observations. Please post in comments, your own blogs, or on Twitter.

More than that, I want to discuss the ways to change it. Please share your experiences.