MottoCon evolved from a testing-focused conference to a community-driven quality engineering platform, introducing the SWEC certification and emphasizing inclusive collaboration across tech disciplines like AI and security. The event features interactive workshops, cross-disciplinary talks, and tools like “Moments” to foster professional growth, while expanding into engineering management and local chapters to strengthen community engagement.

MOT This Week in Testing

MOT - This week in Testing - Varied hosts, group chat, often with community questions and involvement. Show notes have a full transcript.

• https://www.ministryoftesting.com/podcasts
• https://www.ministryoftesting.com

Episode Details

• Show Notes: https://www.ministryoftesting.com/podcasts/this-week-in-testing?wchannelid=czgwdadw2c&wmediaid=p1st7w8jik
• Published: 2026-04-17T14:56:04Z
• Duration: 58:43
• Author: Unknown

Overview

The podcast discusses the evolution of MottoCon, a rebranded conference that transitioned from a testing-focused initiative to a broader quality engineering platform, emphasizing collaboration across tech disciplines. Key highlights include the launch of the Software Quality Engineering Certificate (SWEC), a practitioner-led certification program offering skill development and community-driven resources. The conference also addresses the communitys shift from quality-centric narratives to a more inclusive tech ecosystem, framing quality as a shared responsibility across product development, AI, security, and accessibility. Workshops and talks by experts like Claire Norman and Lisa Crispin explore themes such as joyful product design, collaborative testing, and AI integration, while the event incorporates interactive elements like quizzes, social activities, and a “stamp sheet” challenge to enhance engagement. Content is made accessible via recordings and the “Mottaverse” platform, encouraging year-round learning and reflection.

The discussion emphasizes community-driven initiatives, including professional membership requirements for event access, which prioritize active contributors and foster reciprocal engagement. Features like “Moments"concise public reflections on learning experiencesare highlighted as tools for professional growth and visibility within the community. The podcast also touches on expanding the conferences scope to include engineering management, AI, and product development, with a focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and mentorship. Local chapters, such as Ministry of Testing Berlin, and initiatives like the “Brighton Walk” aim to strengthen in-person connections and networking. The communitys iterative approach to refining processes, such as MOT Profiles for tracking contributions, reflects a commitment to inclusivity, continuous learning, and sustainable event planning devoid of restrictive quality silos.

What If

• What if you leveraged the “Moments” platform feature to document your learning from every MottoCon session you attend or engage with?
  Concrete move: Create one “Moment” per session you attend, reflecting on both the topic and your personal takeaways, and publish them publicly.
  Why now: The text emphasizes using Moments to solidify knowledge, build visibility, and align with community values. Registration for MottoCon events may be limited to pro members, but even non-attendees can engage with recorded content.
  Expected upside:

• What if you created a local “stamp sheet” challenge to incentivize engagement with your community or project contributors?
  Concrete move: Design a stamp sheet with small, achievable challenges (e.g., meeting new collaborators, sharing a blog post, completing a workshop). Offer non-monetary rewards (e.g., a feature in your newsletter, a virtual badge).
  Why now: The text highlights the success of stamp sheets in earlier MottoCon events, which used gamification to drive participation and networking. This aligns with the community’s emphasis on mutual learning and collaboration.
  Expected upside:

• What if you joined a professional membership to unlock exclusive resources and event access, even if youre not attending an in-person event?
  Concrete move: Subscribe to the professional membership tier of Mottoverse or a similar platform to access year-round content (e.g., recorded talks, Slack community, peer support).
  Why now: The text explicitly ties event access to pro membership, which includes perpetual engagement tools. As a solo operator, this ensures you stay connected to evolving tech trends and community practices beyond conferences.
  **Expected upside:**AI

Takeaway

• Enroll in the Software Quality Engineering Certificate (SWEC): Pursue the practitioner-led certification program to build practical skills, enhance your portfolio, and access community-driven resources that go beyond traditional testing knowledge.
• Leverage “Moments” for Learning Reflections: Create concise, public reflections on your learning experiences (via the MoteVerse platform) to solidify knowledge, demonstrate growth, and strengthen your professional profile for future opportunities.
• Join the MoteVerse Professional Membership: Activate your membership to access exclusive event registration, year-round community engagement (like Slack groups and peer support), and continuous learning opportunities tied to quality engineering and broader tech topics.
• Participate in Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Engage with the MoteVerse community to share quality expertise with engineers, product managers, and AI specialists, while absorbing insights from diverse fields to innovate your software development approach.
• Experiment with AI Tools and Testing Workflows: Explore AI integration (e.g., Googles agnostic models) and automate testing processes using new tools or platforms, while contributing to communal knowledge-sharing initiatives like the MoteVerse observatory.