Switch from Helpdesk to QA in 8 Weeks

A step-by-step plan to move into Quality Assurance with hands-on skills.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

QA Foundations

You will learn what QA (Quality Assurance) is and what QA roles do. This phase covers basic concepts, types of testing, and QA tools.

2 weeks

Understand QA job tasks
Identify types of software testing
Set up a basic testing environment
Learn bug reporting steps

Explain manual testing (for simple login page)
Recognize bug life cycle stages
Write clear bug reports (broken password reset link)
Use test management tools (TestRail or similar)

Beginner QA guides
QA training videos
Sample bug reports
Test case templates

Write one full bug report (real or demo app)
List five types of software tests
Complete walkthrough of one QA tool

Manual Testing Practice

You will practice test case writing and manual testing. Focus on exploring a sample web project and documenting results.

2 weeks

Write test scenarios
Perform tests on a simple app
Log defects with details
Review and update test cases

Create step-by-step test cases (user registration form)
Perform exploratory testing (to find missing field checks)
Log bugs with screenshots
Update tests based on feedback

Free web demo apps
Test case managers
Sample test case sheets
Bug tracking tools

Draft and run at least 8 test cases
Submit three bug reports with screenshots
Review test results with a checklist

Automation Basics

You will learn the basics of automation testing. Write simple automated test scripts and understand automation tools.

2 weeks

Understand what automation testing is
Set up basic automation tools
Write and run simple test scripts
Compare manual and automated tests

Install automation environment (Selenium or Playwright)
Write basic test script (check login form works)
Analyze test output logs
Schedule auto test runs

Beginner automation tutorials
Sample automation scripts
Free automation tool downloads
Automation cheat sheets

Run at least two automated test scripts
Submit automation script that tests a form
Compare time spent: manual vs automation

Showcase Project: Test a Demo App

You will test a simple web demo app using both manual and automated tests. Share your work with clear documents and proof of testing.

2 weeks

Set up all testing documents
Complete manual and automated tests
Showcase clear bug and test reports
Practice writing test summaries

Plan project test coverage (login, signup, edge cases)
Organize bug and test reports
Share test scripts (as GitHub link)
Document findings in clear report

Public demo apps (like todomvc.com)
GitHub project repo
Report templates
Simple CI/CD guides

Finish test suite with 12 cases (manual, automated mix)
Demo script runs via online repo (with CI badge)
Write and submit a test summary report

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Learn QA basics and concepts	Understanding QA fundamentals builds your foundation.	Read beginner QA guides, Write bug report draft (simple website), Explore types of testing (functional, smoke, regression), Sign up for QA tool (TestRail or similar)	One sample bug report, List of five test types
2	Practice bug reporting and test tool setup	Hands-on will make tools and process less intimidating.	Use a demo bug tracker (e.g., Jira demo projects), Walk through basic bug lifecycle steps, Submit two new bug reports (demo app), Test entering and updating bug fields	Two bug reports with screenshots, Bug lifecycle notes
3	Write and review manual test cases	Manual test cases are core QA tasks.	Write manual test cases for login page, Test different input types (valid, invalid, empty fields), Review test scenarios with checklist, Update test cases after review	Complete test case sheet, Checklist of tested scenarios
4	Explore exploratory testing	Unscripted testing helps find hidden bugs.	Perform exploratory testing on a fake signup form, Log at least two new defects, Add screenshots to defect logs, Share findings for feedback	Exploratory test notes, Two logged defects
5	Set up automation basics	Automation increases your testing efficiency.	Install Selenium or Playwright locally, Watch core automation tutorials, Run first automated test (open website), Document setup steps	Automation environment setup, First “pass/fail” script result
6	Write basic automated tests	Scripted tests are required by many QA jobs.	Write a script to test login form, Check results for success and error cases, Store and comment your test script, Share script with a mentor or peer	Working login automation script, Shared script link
7	Plan and start showcase project	Hands-on projects prove your skills to employers.	Choose and set up a demo app (todomvc.com or similar), Plan test coverage (main flows, errors, edge cases), Write at least 6 manual test cases, Start running and logging tests	Showcase app test plan, Early test case set
8	Finalise, test, and share your showcase project	Sharing a finished project builds your QA portfolio.	Complete full test suite (manual and automation), Upload code and test docs to GitHub, Set up basic CI to run automation script, Write summary report of findings	GitHub project with tests, docs, and CI badge, Summary test report

Daily Plan

Monday

Review last week’s notes and list today’s main goal
Read a new QA concept or process

Tuesday

Practice on demo site (test or report bugs)
Update your test document

Wednesday

Watch a short tutorial (manual or automation)
Try hands-on exercise from video

Thursday

Write or revise test cases/scripts
Add screenshots and comments for clarity

Friday

Share your week’s work (peer or mentor feedback)
Summarize what was learned and set next week’s focus