We are delighted to welcome Renaud Bournonville to the Q-Leap team, as an ISTQB-certified Consultant-Trainer specializing in software testing .
With a background as varied as his passion for mind games, Renaud has juggled development, integration, coaching and training.
He’s ready to share his expertise while adding a touch of humor to our sessions.
His goal?
To train the next generation of testers while supporting our teams and customers in their quest for key skills.
In this interview, Renaud talks about his career path, his daily challenges, and the advice he has to offer those dreaming of entering the fascinating world of testing.
Renaud, tell us about your career path: from the beginning to the present day?
I started my career as a developer for 8 years, before progressing to tester responsibilities, both in manual and automated testing.
I then moved into an integrator role.
I’ve always liked combining these different roles to get a global view of the IT professions.
I’ve also been a certified life coach and professional in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) since 2010.
I’ve always had a passion for training and coaching, which has enabled me to coach and supervise future test managers.
I appreciate my versatility, a bit like a “Swiss Army knife”.
Today, I’m a consultant-trainer at Q-Leap.
I work both internally and externally, in particular with the Digital Learning Hub (DLH), where I train jobseekers in the basics of testing.
My trainees have varying levels of experience, from 0 to several years in manual testing and automation.
The complete course consists of 10 20-hour training sessions, 7 of which I run myself, while a colleague provides 3.
Finally, I offer in-house training, both for my experienced colleagues and for the Q-Leap Academy, which was recently set up to recruit and train young testers just starting out in the business.
What challenges do you encounter most often in your work, and how do you overcome them?
My role at Q-Leap is twofold: trainer and consultant.
In addition to training, I work on assignments for our customers.
Training needs, whether internal or external, are often similar.
External training is generally shorter and more focused, while internal training is longer and more in-depth.
We have a wide range of content ready to go, and we can also tailor-make training courses to suit customer requirements.
Working with our customers on testing assignments also enriches my experience.
To meet these challenges of adaptability, I use different teaching methods and like to mix my practices.
I draw on my skills in NLP, which I’ve been developing for over 10 years, and I favor interaction to involve each participant, taking into account their situations and motivations.
I use tricks like explaining technical terms in layman’s terms to make it easier to get used to the world of testing.
I also emphasize repetition of key elements to ensure proper integration.
On average, I have around 10 participants per group, but I prefer to limit the number to guarantee quality, especially in technical training where individual coaching is more important.
Finally, I alternate between various exercises, incorporating anecdotes and humor, while remaining attentive to non-verbal signals to better adapt to the learners.
What advice would you give to someone wishing to launch a career as a software tester or training consultant?
For test consultants, I strongly recommend starting with the ISTQB training.
It familiarizes you with a common vocabulary and a lexicon essential to a good understanding of the business.
Although this training is fairly theoretical, it provides a valuable overview of the business, the tools and methods used.
It’s a good starting point for building a solid foundation.
Then, it’s through practice that you become a good tester: by applying this knowledge in the field, you learn from your mistakes, improve and develop real expertise.
Is there one aspect of your work that you enjoy the most?
I’m particularly happy to be working at Q-Leap.
It’s a human-sized company that’s growing organically, offering flexibility and autonomy.
Here, my ideas and initiatives are always welcome.
If I propose a project or a new approach, I’m supported and helped in its development, which encourages me to be creative and proactive.
Working conditions are also very flexible, which allows me to be more efficient and involved.
To be honest, I had already tried to join Q-Leap in 2014, but other circumstances led me elsewhere.
I’m also proud to be part of a company recognized for the quality of its software testing training.
What I appreciate most is the diversity of my assignments.
I enjoy interacting with people from different backgrounds and on a variety of subjects.
Supporting others in their development and seeing them progress is also rewarding.
The multicultural environment at Q-Leap is very pleasant, and it’s a pleasure to work with friendly colleagues.
We’re delighted to welcome Renaud Bournonville to the Q-Leap team!
With his fascinating career path and his real passion for training, he’ll really add some pep to our missions.
Whether it’s in his training courses or when he works with our customers, Renaud is there to share his knowledge and support future testers in their profession and career path.
If you have any questions about his training courses or his method, don’t hesitate to ask him. He loves to chat: renaud.bournonville@q-leap.eu.
