Quality assurance is not about confirming that software works — it is about discovering how it fails. This talk explores ten concrete ways to break an application on purpose, based on real-world testing patterns and common failure modes seen in modern software systems.
The focus is on practical thinking, not theory. While Python is used as the primary example language for test automation and experimentation, the concepts apply to any technology stack. The session is relevant for QAs, test engineers, and developers who want to build more resilient systems and improve cross-discipline collaboration.
Goals of the Talk
- Improve destructive testing and exploratory thinking for QAs
- Help developers understand common blind spots in application design
- Demonstrate how Python can be used effectively to probe system weaknesses
- Encourage a shared quality mindset across roles
Pascal Puchtler
An experienced QA engineer and software developer with a strong focus on Python-based testing and test automation. Specialized in breaking applications through exploratory, risk-driven, and destructive testing approaches. With several years of experience working on complex software systems, the focus is on uncovering hidden failure modes, improving test strategies, and helping teams build more resilient applications. Passionate about bridging the gap between QA and development by sharing practical insights into how and why software fails in real-world scenarios.
