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3.7Setting Expectations and Tracking Growth
Skills Matrix
Create a simple skills matrix and review it monthly:
| Skill | Month 1 | Month 3 | Month 6 | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bug report quality | Learning | Competent | Proficient | Proficient |
| Exploratory testing | Learning | Learning | Competent | Proficient |
| Test case design | Learning | Competent | Competent | Proficient |
| Automation (basic) | Not started | Learning | Competent | Competent |
| CI/CD understanding | Not started | Learning | Competent | Competent |
| Product domain knowledge | Learning | Competent | Proficient | Expert |
| Communication in ceremonies | Learning | Competent | Competent | Proficient |
Regular Check-ins
- Weekly 1:1 (30 min): What went well? What is challenging? Any blockers? Feedback in both directions.
- Monthly skills review (45 min): Update the skills matrix. Celebrate progress. Set goals for the next month.
- Quarterly career conversation (60 min): Where do they want to be in 1 year? What skills do they want to develop? What experiences do they need?