I’ve been meaning to read Growth Driven Testing by Pradeep Sundararajan ever since it was launched in 2023. But life had other plans.
That was the time I was returning from a career break, trying to find my rhythm again — professionally and personally. My son had just started school, and honestly, everything felt like it needed my attention all at once. Reading, though close to my heart, had to wait.
But this book never left my to-read list. And I’m so glad I finally got the space to sit down with it a month ago. If you’re curious about my testing journey so far, feel free to check out my About page.
From Buddha in Testing to Growth Driven Testing
I had already read Buddha in Testing earlier. That book felt personal. It made me pause and reflect on my journey as a tester; the struggles, the mindset, the human side of it all.
So I had high expectations from Growth Driven Testing. And this book met them, but in a different way. It didn’t just speak to my inner world but it showed me how testing connects with business, with impact, with growth.
The Kind of Tester I Am (Even When It’s Not Always Valued)
One line that stayed with me: “Testing is not a support function; it’s a growth function.”
This book reinforced the kind of tester I already am — one who cares about value and impact. Not every company recognizes or celebrates that. And that’s okay. What matters is knowing the value we bring, even if it’s not always acknowledged.
Reading Growth Driven Testing felt validating. It gave structure to thoughts I’ve had for years, but never really had the words to explain.
Lessons from the Growth Driven Testing Journey
In this book Pradeep has openly shared the journey; not just the wins, but also the failures!
He talks about the mistakes made, the tough decisions, and how those experiences shaped him a leader. He didn’t shy away from sharing how he was able to land impressive clients not by luck, but by standing firm on certain testing practices and values.
I especially appreciated:
- How his team encourages employees to make mistakes and learn from them
- How they embrace mind mapping as a core technique for exploratory testing
- The clarity with which they approach testing; with courage, confidence, and curiosity
It’s rare to see that kind of transparency, and it made the whole book feel more real and relatable.
Key Takeaways
- Testing isn’t just about finding bugs but it’s about uncovering what matters.
- We are capable of leading, not just supporting!
- Asking the right questions is more powerful than having the right answers.
- Growth isn’t just for the product; it’s for tester, too.
Why I’m Writing This (and Who It’s For)
This is not a sponsored post but I’m writing this for every tester who:
- Feels like there’s more to testing than what’s in the sprint board
- Wonders how they can bring more value to their team
- Wants to shift from “checking functionality” to “driving product thinking”
If that sounds like you then this Growth Driven Testing is for you. Let it challenge how you think about testing. Let it show you the bigger picture and let it empower you.
Thank You
A big thank you to Pradeep Sundararajan, thank you for putting Growth Driven Testing out into the world. 🙇♀️
And to all fellow testers; this book made me pause, reflect, and feel a little more hopeful about the kind of testing I believe in. Maybe it’ll do the same for you, in your own way.
Let’s keep growing not just in testing skill, but in thought as well.
PS : If you’ve read Growth Driven Testing too or plan to, let me know. Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.
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