Building quality, together – a perspective from the Tester of the Year 2024
Szilard Szell has been chosen as the Tester of the Year 2024 in a public vote organized by Tieturi and TestausOSY. The award, now in its 18th year, recognizes long-term contributions to the field of testing and quality – and the person behind those contributions. Voters praised Szilard for his positivity, drive, and ability to bring people together around a shared goal: better software through better collaboration.
“I always say I am a person who runs on positive feedback and energy,” Szilard says. “So this recognition means a lot for me, as it comes from the testing community – my Testing Fellows – and it shows that what I am doing is the right thing. I am honored to be recognised.”
Choosing testing – and sticking with it
Szilard’s journey in tech began in 2000 after earning an MSc in Programming. At Nokia in Budapest, he was asked whether he wanted to focus deeply on programming or take a broader role in testing.
“The latter looked more interesting – learning the Telco world, and the magic of testing complex systems and standardised protocols,” he recalls. “Luckily Nokia had a great testing process in place already, and amazing people to learn from – some of whom I am still meeting today.”
It was also at Nokia that Szilard’s interest in building communities first began – and it grew after he connected with the Hungarian Testing Board and the ISTQB network in 2009. “From there on, the international testing world opened for me.”
From structured testing to organisational quality
Szilard describes his early years as being shaped by a strong, structured approach to testing. “I started learning a very structured test approach, well fitted into a larger Quality Management process, a well working V-model. Additionally, our testing was always automated, as repeatability of regression testing was an important aspect.”
Since then, Agile and DevOps have transformed the field – faster cycles, shifting roles, and increasing demand for automation. “The biggest changes came with Agile development, and later with DevOps approaches, highlighting the importance of continuous testing, but also fading the line between developer and tester.”
These shifts pushed Szilard to think beyond test execution and towards quality at the organisational level. “This also helped me to widen my focus to approach Quality on organisational level, looking into processes and applying system and lean thinking.”
As a DevOps Transformation Lead and Quality Coach at Eficode, Szilard helps organisations embed quality into every part of the value stream – from tools and processes to culture and mindset. “When I teach Product Owners, slicing a backlog item to testable user stories is part of quality. When we develop a QA Strategy using the PipelineGame to design a CI/CD pipeline, it is all about Quality. When we are designing AI Agents to be part of the Value Stream and contribute in different roles, it must be done with focus on Quality. So I can’t even see how these could be separated.”
Creating space for community
One of Szilard’s most visible contributions to the Finnish testing scene is the Finnish Testing Meetup – a growing monthly event with over 700 registered members.
The idea was sparked at the Testing Assembly conference in 2022. “I asked Maaret Pyhäjärvi during the Q&A session of her Keynote talk if there is a testing meetup happening in Helsinki. She said no, and ‘gave me’ the action point to start organising one.”
Support came quickly. “She also asked from the stage who would help me. Nina Perta and Jani Grönman stood up and volunteered.” A few weeks later, while returning from the HUSTEF conference, the three drafted the first plan. “It took some time, but the first event came to life in April 2023. So, it might have started as a joke but became a serious passion.”
In 2025, Mikko Paloheimo joined the organiser team. “Now the meetups are a monthly event with sessions in Helsinki and Tampere, with 732 registered participants, and full house in an hour after any event is opened on Meetup.”
For Szilard, the meetup is about more than events – it’s about belonging. “Meeting new people (and old friends), belonging to the community and driving the profession forward. Being useful, and learning new things every day.”
Finnish Testing Meetup also started a new annual tradition by presenting an “Tester of the Year, FTMG Recognition Award” to Szilard Szell, Tester of the Year 2024. From left: Nina Perta, Jani Grönman, Szilard Szell & Mikko Paloheimo.
Quality leadership: more than just metrics
When asked about quality leadership, Szilard points to mindset and consistency.
“This is a giant topic, which has amazing books written by Finnish authors as well – ACT2Lead by Kari Kakkonen and Marko Rytkönen as an example. I do believe Leadership has the biggest role in driving a Quality culture and nurturing it, by making sure that quality aspects are taken care of at every decision, and the tyranny of urgency is not taking over pushing for cutting corners.”
Leadership, he says, must ensure that quality goals are clear, shared, and respected across the organisation. “They also need to make sure there are balanced quality goals known to and respected by the whole organisation, and quality champions are respected, motivated and grown.”
Staying motivated and continuously learning
Szilard says his motivation comes from the joy of learning, solving problems, and connecting with others. “Motivation comes from happiness, and that comes from meeting new people, learning new things, or solving new challenges.”
He draws ideas from podcasts, conferences, articles, and client work. “Ideas come from everyday projects, conference presentations, podcasts, and articles, connecting the dots and seeing how these could solve existing problems.”
Whenever he is on stage, in a workshop, or simply talking to people, their feedback drives him forward. “Their reaction helps me go on to the next stage, making the next move, and keeping up the work.”
Advice to newcomers: get involved
For anyone starting out in testing, Szilard is enthusiastic. “This is an amazing path, full of learning, opportunity, fun and happiness.”
He encourages new testers to join communities early and embrace lifelong learning. “Join our Meetup, listen to testing podcasts, join a crowd testing platform, and be prepared for life-long learning. Welcome to the community!”