Taking Testing Seriously with James Bach
Tue Dec 09 2025
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I had the privilege of sitting down with James Bach, one of the most influential voices in software testing. With over four decades in the craft, James brings a rare long-view perspective on how testing has evolved from the early days of Apple to today’s AI-driven landscape.
We covered a wide range of topics, including:
🔹 What has and hasn’t changed in testing since the 1980s and why many “new” ideas aren’t new at all.
🔹 Why testers are still misunderstood, and the emotional weight of constantly delivering uncomfortable truths.
🔹 The personal side of testing: boundaries, relationships, and how to switch off the analytical mindset.
🔹 The rising importance of independent evaluation and why testers should inform, not own, release decisions.
🔹 How AI is reshaping the craft from probabilistic testing to the return of the toolsmith, rapid “vibe coding,” and building disposable test utilities at speed.
🔹 A look at industry hype cycles, including a real story of a company that nearly replaced its entire test team with an AI tool that didn’t work.
James also shares reflections from Lessons Learned in Software Testing, Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar, and his latest book, Taking Testing Seriously.
If you care about testing, the future of testing, or the stories behind the people who shaped it, this conversation is packed with insight, history, and plenty of challenge.
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Send us a text I had the privilege of sitting down with James Bach, one of the most influential voices in software testing. With over four decades in the craft, James brings a rare long-view perspective on how testing has evolved from the early days of Apple to today’s AI-driven landscape. We covered a wide range of topics, including: 🔹 What has and hasn’t changed in testing since the 1980s and why many “new” ideas aren’t new at all. 🔹 Why testers are still misunderstood, and the emotional weight of constantly delivering uncomfortable truths. 🔹 The personal side of testing: boundaries, relationships, and how to switch off the analytical mindset. 🔹 The rising importance of independent evaluation and why testers should inform, not own, release decisions. 🔹 How AI is reshaping the craft from probabilistic testing to the return of the toolsmith, rapid “vibe coding,” and building disposable test utilities at speed. 🔹 A look at industry hype cycles, including a real story of a company that nearly replaced its entire test team with an AI tool that didn’t work. James also shares reflections from Lessons Learned in Software Testing, Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar, and his latest book, Taking Testing Seriously. If you care about testing, the future of testing, or the stories behind the people who shaped it, this conversation is packed with insight, history, and plenty of challenge. Support the show