The Human Touch in Software Testing: A New Era with HIST
April 15, 2025, 9:50 pm
Location: India, Karnataka, Bengaluru
Employees: 201-500
Founded date: 2017
Total raised: $108.5M
In a world where automation reigns supreme, a new philosophy is emerging in software testing. Enter Human Intelligence Software Testing (HIST), a groundbreaking approach that puts human insight back at the forefront of quality assurance. This shift is not just a trend; it’s a necessary evolution in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and automated processes.
Ruslan Desyatnikov, the visionary behind QA Mentor, has unveiled HIST as a response to a glaring issue in the tech landscape. While automation tools proliferate, they often miss the nuances that only human judgment can catch. Think of it as a race car speeding down the track. It may be fast, but without a skilled driver, it risks veering off course. That’s where HIST comes in.
HIST is not merely a framework; it’s a mindset. It emphasizes the importance of human qualities—judgment, ethics, intuition, and emotional awareness—in software testing. Desyatnikov’s experience over nearly three decades has shown him that despite the advancements in automation, critical issues often slip through the cracks. The solution? A new breed of tester: the Human Intelligence Software Tester, or HISTer.
HISTers are not your typical QA professionals. They are strategists, thinkers, and advocates for quality. Their role transcends writing test cases or executing scripts. Instead, they prioritize real business risks and customer impact. They adapt their testing styles based on the project’s needs and choose tools wisely, focusing on what truly matters rather than what’s trendy.
Imagine a detective piecing together clues. A HISTer must think critically, challenge assumptions, and advocate for the end user. They create meaningful test scenarios that reflect real-world conditions, not just scripted flows. This human-centric approach allows them to spot biases in AI algorithms, notice when a chatbot’s tone feels off, and catch small but frustrating UX flaws.
In a landscape where automation can sometimes lead to complacency, HIST is a breath of fresh air. It fills the gaps that tools cannot reach. While automation excels at speed, it often lacks context and empathy. HISTers bring that human touch back into the equation, ensuring that software not only functions but resonates with users.
The implementation of HIST is already underway. QA Mentor has integrated this approach into its consulting and training programs, making it a core part of client delivery across various industries, including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and retail. The results speak for themselves. Clients report that HIST has helped save their roadmaps, proving that it’s not about more tests but smarter, more human ones.
As we navigate this new era of software development, the importance of human intelligence cannot be overstated. Automation may streamline processes, but it cannot replace the critical thinking and emotional intelligence that humans bring to the table. HIST recognizes this and seeks to harness the best of both worlds.
In contrast, the launch of Make AI Agents highlights another facet of the evolving tech landscape. This no-code platform empowers businesses to build workflows that think, decide, and adapt in real time. With over 30,000 available actions, Make AI Agents enable users to automate complex tasks without writing a single line of code. It’s a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
However, while Make AI Agents represent a leap forward in automation, they also underscore the need for a balanced approach. Automation can enhance productivity, but it should not come at the expense of human insight. The challenge lies in integrating these intelligent agents with the human touch that HIST champions.
As businesses adopt these new technologies, they must remember that the human element is irreplaceable. The best outcomes arise from a synergy between human intelligence and automated processes. HIST and Make AI Agents represent two sides of the same coin—one focusing on the irreplaceable qualities of human testers, the other on the efficiency of intelligent automation.
In conclusion, the future of software testing and automation is bright, but it requires a delicate balance. As we embrace new technologies, we must not lose sight of the human qualities that drive innovation and quality. HIST is a reminder that while tools can enhance our capabilities, it is human insight that ultimately ensures success. In this new era, let’s celebrate the blend of human intelligence and automation, creating a landscape where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
Ruslan Desyatnikov, the visionary behind QA Mentor, has unveiled HIST as a response to a glaring issue in the tech landscape. While automation tools proliferate, they often miss the nuances that only human judgment can catch. Think of it as a race car speeding down the track. It may be fast, but without a skilled driver, it risks veering off course. That’s where HIST comes in.
HIST is not merely a framework; it’s a mindset. It emphasizes the importance of human qualities—judgment, ethics, intuition, and emotional awareness—in software testing. Desyatnikov’s experience over nearly three decades has shown him that despite the advancements in automation, critical issues often slip through the cracks. The solution? A new breed of tester: the Human Intelligence Software Tester, or HISTer.
HISTers are not your typical QA professionals. They are strategists, thinkers, and advocates for quality. Their role transcends writing test cases or executing scripts. Instead, they prioritize real business risks and customer impact. They adapt their testing styles based on the project’s needs and choose tools wisely, focusing on what truly matters rather than what’s trendy.
Imagine a detective piecing together clues. A HISTer must think critically, challenge assumptions, and advocate for the end user. They create meaningful test scenarios that reflect real-world conditions, not just scripted flows. This human-centric approach allows them to spot biases in AI algorithms, notice when a chatbot’s tone feels off, and catch small but frustrating UX flaws.
In a landscape where automation can sometimes lead to complacency, HIST is a breath of fresh air. It fills the gaps that tools cannot reach. While automation excels at speed, it often lacks context and empathy. HISTers bring that human touch back into the equation, ensuring that software not only functions but resonates with users.
The implementation of HIST is already underway. QA Mentor has integrated this approach into its consulting and training programs, making it a core part of client delivery across various industries, including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and retail. The results speak for themselves. Clients report that HIST has helped save their roadmaps, proving that it’s not about more tests but smarter, more human ones.
As we navigate this new era of software development, the importance of human intelligence cannot be overstated. Automation may streamline processes, but it cannot replace the critical thinking and emotional intelligence that humans bring to the table. HIST recognizes this and seeks to harness the best of both worlds.
In contrast, the launch of Make AI Agents highlights another facet of the evolving tech landscape. This no-code platform empowers businesses to build workflows that think, decide, and adapt in real time. With over 30,000 available actions, Make AI Agents enable users to automate complex tasks without writing a single line of code. It’s a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
However, while Make AI Agents represent a leap forward in automation, they also underscore the need for a balanced approach. Automation can enhance productivity, but it should not come at the expense of human insight. The challenge lies in integrating these intelligent agents with the human touch that HIST champions.
As businesses adopt these new technologies, they must remember that the human element is irreplaceable. The best outcomes arise from a synergy between human intelligence and automated processes. HIST and Make AI Agents represent two sides of the same coin—one focusing on the irreplaceable qualities of human testers, the other on the efficiency of intelligent automation.
In conclusion, the future of software testing and automation is bright, but it requires a delicate balance. As we embrace new technologies, we must not lose sight of the human qualities that drive innovation and quality. HIST is a reminder that while tools can enhance our capabilities, it is human insight that ultimately ensures success. In this new era, let’s celebrate the blend of human intelligence and automation, creating a landscape where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.