Testing is a deeply challenging intellectual activity that requires skill, dedication and experience to master. It involves exploring a product or process to understand enough about how it works so that I can give the people that have to make decisions about it the information they need in a way that is meaningful to them. I do this using the rapid testing approach advocated by James Bach and Michael Bolton.I have a track record of giving feedback to stakeholders within short timescales using whatever suits the context (e.g. Mantis, Excel, Word documents, Rapid Reporter, quick notes on a flipchart etc). Where metrics are required I use Session-Based Test Management to help me honestly tell the quality story.I use tools such as SQL Server, MySQL, soapUI, JMeter and test harnesses that have been developed as part of the test process (using C#.NET, VB.NET, Python and Ruby) to help me explore and this has resulted in high quality software being shipped on a regular basis.Early involvement in the development process is critical to a tester adding maximum value to the project and has been facilitated by excellent oral and written communication skills, very high levels of domain knowledge and an ability to foresee high risk areas. These skills also help with internal audit.I volunteer as a Community Manager at the Software Testing Club and regularly attend conferences and less formal meet-ups where I can learn more about my craft. I particularly enjoy peer conferences like the London Exploratory Workshop in Testing (LEWT) and the Dutch equivalent for the accountability element there.I am currently learning about coaching and participate in Weekend Testing sessions with testers in India and the United States when time permits. This has given me exposure to the challenges of other cultures. I regularly correspond with testers from around Europe, Asia, Australia and North America helping them with their testing challenges and learning myself in the process.