Testing

At Level 3, testing is a core part of how you design and deliver software. You write tests with intent and clarity, balancing speed, coverage, and maintainability. You consider the risk profile of your code and tailor your tests accordingly. You also help shape the team's overall testing approach. Your tests help others understand the system and prevent regressions.

Key Behaviors

  • Designs tests that document and validate behavior clearly
  • Writes efficient, meaningful tests that run fast and fail informatively
  • Leads by example in test-first or test-guided development
  • Improves test design and structure across the codebase
  • Encourages teammates to test earlier and more effectively

Common Struggles

  • May overinvest in testing low-risk code
  • Might struggle to balance test confidence with developer velocity
  • Can become overly opinionated about tools or frameworks

Success Indicators

You know you're successful when you:

  • Write tests that others trust and rely on
  • Refactor tests with the same care as production code
  • Improve the test suite's coverage, readability, and reliability
  • Provide feedback that helps teammates test more effectively

Mindset Shift

From:

"I write good tests."

To:

"I enable better testing across teams and systems."

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • Where are our test gaps or blind spots?
  • Are our tests helping us move fast—or slowing us down?
  • How can I improve testability across the stack?

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Review and maintain testing infrastructure
  • 2
    Advocate for testability in system and API design
  • 3
    Create documentation, patterns, or training to support quality testing

Seek Feedback

  • "Where does our testing break down under pressure?"
  • "Are we over- or under-testing in key areas?"
  • "Do my tests help you understand the system better?"

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • Other engineers model your testing practices
  • Your tests reduce incidents and speed up debugging
  • You shape the team's culture and standards around testing

Focus Summary

  • Test with intention
  • Test for impact
  • Build trust in every commit

At Level 3, your testing creates leverage—for you, your team, and the business. You bring focus, clarity, and resilience to the development process.