From QA Tester to Confident Developer in 8 Weeks

A step-by-step roadmap to help QA professionals switch to a developer role by building core skills and a real, working project.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Foundations of Programming

Learn the basics of programming using JavaScript. Get comfortable with coding tools, simple data types, and control flows. Start your journey with small coding exercises.

2 weeks

Understand core programming concepts
Write and run basic scripts
Use key development tools
Solve simple code problems

Variables and data types (numbers, strings, arrays)
Control structures (if/else, loops)
Functions (writing a sum function)
Using code editor (VS Code)
Debugging basics

Beginner JavaScript Tutorials
Interactive Coding Website
VS Code Docs
Debugging Basics Guides

Complete 10 basic coding challenges (FizzBuzz, sum array)
Submit working basic script with comments

Core Web Development

Dive into making web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Learn how websites are structured and styled. Create dynamic pages with user input.

2 weeks

Build simple web pages
Style with CSS
Interact with users through forms
Understand basic web layouts

HTML Structure (building a contact form)
CSS Styling (color, layout, responsive design)
Event handling in JavaScript
Simple DOM manipulation

HTML Crash Course
CSS Basics Course
JavaScript DOM Tutorials
Responsive Web Design Guide

Publish a simple page with HTML and CSS
Demo a working form that uses JavaScript validation

Project Building and State Management

Start creating a full web app: a basic task tracker. Learn about routing (moving between pages), handling data and building reusable components.

2 weeks

Set up a small project using a web framework
Handle navigation in app
Manage user tasks in app state
Break app into components

Using a web framework (React, Vue, or Svelte)
Single-page routing (React Router, Vue Router)
State management (add/remove tasks in app)
Reusable components (TaskList, TaskForm)

Framework Getting Started Guide
Routing Basics Docs
Component Patterns Article

Publish basic task tracker app with at least 3 routes (task list, add task, about)
Show task creation and deletion working (demo video or screenshots)

Testing and Deployment

Learn to write tests and deploy your project online. Gain confidence in code quality and make your project public to share with employers.

1 weeks

Write simple tests for your app
Automate basic checks
Deploy project online
Share finished project and tests

Testing components (using Jest, Vitest, or similar)
Setting up basic CI/CD (GitHub Actions badge)
Deploying to a cloud service (Netlify, Vercel)

Testing Beginners Tutorial
Continuous Integration Guide
Deployment Guide

Add at least 5 passing tests (show code and test output)
Project live at public URL with CI badge

Showcase, Documentation, and Job Prep

Polish your project, write clear instructions, and build your developer resume. Get ready to talk about your work and apply for jobs.

1 weeks

Write a project readme
Summarize your skills
Prepare for developer interviews
Apply for jobs

Documentation writing (step-by-step guide for your task tracker)
Basic resume writing (highlighting developer skills)
Explaining code choices (in plain language)

Sample Project Readmes
Junior Developer Resume Templates
Interview Prep Questions

Publish project readme describing features, install, and tests
Apply to 3 developer jobs with updated resume and project link

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Programming Basics	Strong basics help you learn faster and solve real problems.	Complete JavaScript basics tutorial (Codecademy or FreeCodeCamp), Try daily coding challenge (LeetCode easy problems), Practice variables and loops in VS Code	Submit 5 small scripts (sum, reverse string, filter numbers), List of solved challenges
2	Problem Solving and Tools	Problem solving skills and tool setup are key for developers.	Try debugging with breakpoints (VS Code), Write 3 functions using arrays and loops, Join online study group or forum	Upload scripts with code comments, Write a summary of main learnings
3	Build and Style Web Pages	Web apps need good looks and structure.	Follow HTML/CSS tutorial to build personal homepage, Style a form using CSS, Experiment with color and layout (Flexbox, Grid)	Share link to styled homepage, Screenshots of CSS work
4	Make Pages Interactive	Interactivity is the first step to real app work.	Learn JavaScript event handling (button clicks), Validate form data (JavaScript), Add interactive elements (toggle buttons, hide/show items)	Demo video of interactive form, Code of event handling
5	Start Task Tracker Project	A showcase project shows your new skills in action.	Set up project using React (create-react-app) or Vue (Vite), Add page routing (React Router or Vue Router), Plan app structure (components list)	Project repo with routes (home, add, about), Simple navigation working
6	Build Features and Manage Data	Handling data and components is a core developer skill.	Create TaskList and TaskForm components, Store tasks in app state, Add ability to add and delete tasks	App with working add/delete tasks, Screenshots of task management
7	Testing and Deployment Prep	Testing and deployment make your work real and reliable.	Write 5 simple tests (Jest or Vitest), Set up CI/CD workflow (GitHub Actions), Deploy app to Netlify or Vercel	Screenshot of test results, Live project link with CI badge
8	Project Showcase and Job Prep	Good documentation and applications show your readiness.	Write project readme (features, install, test instructions), Update resume with project and skills, Send 3 job applications	Public GitHub repo with readme, Applications submitted report