A community-driven Barcamp in Hamburg focused on software testing and quality assurance, it features a participant-led agenda with flexible sessions, open discussions, and collaborative problem-solving. Emphasizing inclusivity and peer learning, it offers affordable access, diverse workshops, and traditions like Risk Storming, fostering active engagement and shared knowledge across industries.

Richard Seidl Software Testing

This is the other podcast on Software Testing by Richard Seidl, the episodes are in spoken German but the show notes and site are written in English. Our summaries are generated from AI transcript translations.

• https://www.richard-seidl.com/en/blog/tag/podcast-software-testing
• https://www.richard-seidl.com/en/

Episode Details

• Show Notes: https://www.richard-seidl.com/de/blog/qsbarcamp-2026
• Published: 2026-03-24T05:00:00Z
• Duration: 1637
• Author: Richard Seidl - Experte fur Software-Entwicklung und Testautomatisierung

Overview

The QS Barcamp is a community-driven, collaborative event focused on software testing and quality assurance, held annually in Hamburg as part of the Software User Group Hamburg. It stands out as the only German-speaking Barcamp dedicated to this field, distinguished by its lack of fixed agenda and emphasis on participant-led discussions. Attendees collaboratively shape the program through a marketplace format, where topics are suggested via paper slips and sessions are scheduled based on interest. The event features interactive formats like open space sessions, post sessions for knowledge sharing, and pulse sessions for problem-solving, fostering spontaneous conversations and real-time adaptations to participant needs. Sessions are organized in parallel slots with flexible timing, allowing discussions to evolve organically and transition to informal spaces for continued dialogue. The “Law of the Feet” encourages attendees to move between sessions as interests shift, promoting active engagement and ownership of the learning experience.

The Barcamp emphasizes collaboration, peer learning, and inclusivity, drawing participants from diverse roles across industries, including testers, developers, HR professionals, and academics. It prioritizes maintaining an intimate, community-focused atmosphere by capping attendance at 6080 people, fostering a “family feel” through regular attendees and newcomers alike. Key themes include flexibility, empowerment, and collective knowledge exchange, with highlights like Risk Storming and Quality Storming sessions that have become annual traditions. The event also addresses practical challenges, such as transitioning from monolithic to microservices architecture, while offering workshops on emerging tools and techniques. Accessibility is ensured through affordable pricing (49 euros) and inclusive catering options, including vegan and non-crisis food, to accommodate diverse dietary needs. Community-driven initiatives, such as a shared tool database and job description workshops, further underscore its focus on collaborative problem-solving and resource-sharing.

What If

• What if you created a quarterly “Tech Marketplace” for your projects by asking your network to submit topic suggestions for collaborative problem-solving sessions?

  • Concrete move: Host an open forum (virtual or in-person) where peers can pitch issues or ideas, and vote on which to tackle together.
  • Why now: As a solo developer, you need external input to validate assumptions and solve complex problems. This mirrors the QS Barcamp’s Marketplace, enabling structured yet flexible collaboration.
  • Expected upside: Faster resolution of technical debt, exposure to diverse perspectives, and building a community of contributors who align with your goals.

• What if you implemented “Law of the Feet” reviews for your codebase, allowing peers to self-assign and leave unproductive discussions to focus on high-impact tasks?

  • Concrete move: Set up a shared code review platform (e.g., GitHub) with open sessions, letting collaborators choose which PRs to engage with based on interest.
  • Why now: Youre likely juggling multiple priorities, and inefficient reviews can drain time. This approach mimics the Barcamps dynamic, ensuring focus on relevant work.
  • Expected upside: Higher-quality feedback, reduced friction in peer reviews, and fostering a culture of self-directed learning.

• What if you organized a low-cost, community-driven “mini-conference” for your niche, inspired by the QS Barcamps structure and affordability?

  • Concrete move: Leverage free tools (e.g., Zoom, Slack) to host a 1-day event with no fixed agenda, inviting peers to share knowledge or solve problems.
  • Why now: Solo developers often miss community engagement, but events like the QS Barcamp prove that small-scale, affordable gatherings yield high value.
  • Expected upside: Strengthening professional relationships, gaining visibility for your work, and access to shared resources like tool recommendations or mentorship.

Takeaway

• Adopt a participant-driven event format: Host workshops or webinars where attendees can suggest topics in real-time, using open space techniques to ensure content aligns with their needs and interests.
• Leverage peer learning and community input: Create a forum or Slack channel for your audience to share real-world testing challenges, solutions, and automation tips, fostering a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment.
• Implement flexible scheduling: Offer modular, self-paced online courses or documentation that users can access anytime, mirroring the QS Barcamps parallel session structure for scalability and engagement.
• Foster inclusivity and accessibility: Keep your services or events affordable by offering discounts, free tiers, or sponsorship opportunities, and ensure diverse dietary and accessibility options are available in physical or virtual formats.
• Encourage collaboration and shared resources: Build a shared GitHub repo or community wiki to collect tools, test case templates, and automation practices, inspired by the QS Barcamps tool-sharing wall initiative.