PLATO Panel Talks
PLATO Panel Talks is a monthly podcast that brings together a panel of experts from the PLATO team and community to explore and discuss topics related to software testing and quality assurance. Each episode features debates and shared experiences on challenges and trends in the field. The show aims to provide insights from practitioners for those interested in improving testing practices and software quality.
Episodes
Bug Advocacy: More Than Just Finding Bugs
Finding a bug is one thing. Convincing everyone else that it matters is another.In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, Mike Hrycyk sits down with Kevin Morgan (Senior Manager, PLATO) and Jason Soliven (Consultant, Zenith Point Consulting) to talk about bug advocacy, the often-overlooked skill of communicating the impact, risk, and importance of the bugs we find.The panel digs into how to prioritiz
From Tester to Leader: Mentoring, Coaching & Management in Tech
What happens when you move from being an individual contributor to managing and developing others? In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by Heather Stapleton (PLATO, Delivery Leader, Atlantic Region) and Ellery Furlong (PLATO, Manager) for a practical conversation about mentoring, coaching, and management in tech with lessons from their own experiences, including how to
Tools of the Trade: Automation Edition
What's in your automation toolbox?In this special summer episode, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by automation and QA leaders who share the tools they're using to improve software quality, accelerate testing, andnavigate the growing influence of AI.From Postman for API testing and collaboration,to Ruff, Black, and SonarQube for code quality, to Jira Rovo and custom-built AI solutions, the conv
AI Testing, Trust & Indigenous Perspectives: Inside TELUS x PLATO Collaboration
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by Jesslyn Dymond (TELUS) and Jason Kicknosway (PLATO) to explore what it really takes to build trustworthy, responsible AI systems.From first-time AI testing to real-world implementation, Jason shares how PLATO testers learned to work with AI and how quickly they discovered the importance of nuance, prompting, and diverse perspectiv
The Intersection of DevOps, Automation, and AI
This month, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by Arash Taheri (Central One Credit Union) and DJ Sicoli-Khull (PLATO) for a deep dive into the evolving intersection of DevOps, automation, and artificial intelligence. The panel explores how DevOps has shifted from a culture-driven practice to a more integrated, platform-oriented ecosystem in which AI and automation are no longer optional but foundational.
Becoming a Test Lead: Skills for Driving Software Quality
What does it really mean to be a Test Lead? In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, host Mike Hrycyk sits down with experienced testing professionals Sal Bugliarisi (Accenture) and Bhavya Bhatnagar (PLATO) to draw on their real-world experience across projects and teams. The panel discusses how Test Leads influence testing strategy, guide communication across stakeholders, and help teams balance qua
10 Years of PLATO Training: Growing Indigenous Talent in Tech
In this special milestone episode, Mike Hrycyk sits down with Keith McIntosh (PLATO CEO and Co-Founder) and Denis Carignan (PLATO President and Co-Founder) to celebrate 10 years of Indigenous Software Tester Training. Together, they reflect on how the program began in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the vision behind its creation, and how it has grown into a national model for building Indigenous care
AI for the Real World: Business Strategy, Governance, and Getting Started
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere — but how do organizations move beyond the hype and actually create value? This month, Mike Hrycyk is joined by Emma Heo (Lead for Public Service AI and Data at Accenture Canada) and Emily Cowperthwaite (COO at PLATO) for a practical, candid conversation about what AI really means for businesses today. Drawing from real-world experience at both a global enterp
Performance Testing 101: What Managers Need to Know
Performance testing isn’t always required, but knowing when it is can make or break your product. In this episode, Mike Hrycyk and guests Ryan Hobbs (BC Pension Corp.) and Praneeth Eadara (PLATO) explore real criteria for deciding whether to invest in performance testing, what’s at risk if they decide to skip it, how to scope a first project, and what managers should consider before committing tim
Testing Deadline Stories: When Project Schedules Go Off the Rails
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, we dive into real testing deadline stories – from last-minute showstoppers and gruelling manual regressions to automation breakthroughs, production outages, and rapid-fire pandemic response. These tales from PLATO testers reveal how teams adapt under pressure, make tough calls, and turn scheduling chaos into shared resilience and learning. If you’ve lived thro
Black Friday Testing: How to Keep Retail Sites Running Under Pressure
The holiday rush isn’t just stressful for shoppers – it’s make-or-break for retailers. In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, Mike Hrycyk sits down with QA experts Susan Finley and Samta Kaura (PLATO) to unpack how teams prepare for holiday and Black Friday testing. They dive into the real risks of downtime, the importance of performance and functional testing, and why code freezes never quite hold
Too Small to Hack? Security Testing from Startups to Enterprises
Think your company’s too small to be hacked? Think again. Hackers don’t care how big you are, and our experts, Joel Vautour (PLATO) and Roberto Salgado (Websec), join Mike Hrycyk to break down how to get started with security testing. From PCI compliance to phishing scams, they share real-world insights on spotting vulnerabilities, choosing the right testing approach, and how AI is reshaping the c
Test Management Tools: The Hidden Backbone of Quality Assurance
This month, host Mike Hrycyk sits down with QA experts Snehal Lohar (Slalom) and Richard Bird (PLATO) to talk all things test management tools Whether you're still using spreadsheets or navigating your way through ADO, qTest, TestRail, or Jira add-ons, this conversation covers why having the right tool matters – and how to make it work for your team. If you're evaluating tools or just want
Trust Issues: QA’s Role in Securing the iGaming Experience
In today’s digital world, customer trust is everything, especially when money, data, and emotion are all on the line. In this episode, Mike Hrycyk is joined by Neha Batta (Director of Delivery Services at BCLC) and James Hurst (QA Manager at PLATO) to explore what it takes to build and maintain trust in the online gaming space. From the complexities of gaming compliance in Canada to the real-life
WCAG, Tools & Testing: Scoping Your Accessibility Project
Not sure how to kick off an accessibility testing project? Host Mike Hrycyk talks with Abhishek Gupta (Director of Service Delivery, PLATO) and Juan Olarte (CEO and co-founder, Digita11y Accessible) about where to begin, how to scope your efforts, what tools you’ll need, and how accessibility fits into your dev lifecycle. Whether you're just getting started or refining your process, this episode o
Testing Software for the Federal Government: Big Teams, Big Impact
What’s it really like to test software on massive federal projects? In this episode, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by Scott Dillon (Associate Manager, PLATO) and Paul Schenk (Accenture) for a deep dive into the unique challenges and worthwhile wins of working on Federal Government projects. From navigating massive team structures and governance requirements to prioritizing accessibility and user cons
Next-Gen Automation Tools: Testing Smarter, Faster, Better
Automation is evolving—are you keeping up? In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, host Mike Hrycyk is joined by Matt Heusser (Author & Lead Consultant, Excelon Development) and John McLaughlin (Test Automation Specialist, PLATO) to explore the future of next-generation automation testing tools. Together, they discuss what testing tools tell us about everything from the role of AI and machine le
Leveraging Consultants for Real Results
Are you maximizing your organization's potential use of consulting services? Join host Mike Hrycyk as he delves into the realities of effective consulting with industry experts Jamie Weber (National Director of IT and Business Consulting at PLATO) and Deidre Donaldson Meyer (Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at SGI). Together, they debunk misconceptions and reveal how consultants pro
Growing Indigenous Tech pt 2
Join us for the exciting second part of our Growing Indigenous Tech series on PLATO Panel Talks. In this episode, we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of Indigenous tech founders with guest host Ryan St. Germaine (CEO and Founder of Indigenous Tech Circle). The panel is a dynamic discussion with guests Bobbie Racette (CEO & Founder of Virtual Gurus) and Jayde Pelly (Founder of JDP Softwar
3 Generations of Software Testers
This month, our host, Mike Hrycyk, explores the diverse perspectives and experiences of different generations of testers in the tech world. Joined by a panel of experts from the PLATO Team Nicole LeBlanc, Shawnee Polchis, and Brennan Nadeau, representing Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, we delve into the unique interactions and communication styles that arise from generational differences. From nost
The Evolution of Test Cases for the Modern Tester
In today’s fast-paced software development world, writing test cases is more important than ever. But what does writing test cases look like for the modern tester? How will AI and automation impact the way we write and execute test cases? Mike Hrycyk is joined by Kevin Morgan (Senior Manager, PLATO) and Ryan Hobbs (QA & Test Manager, BC Ferries) to bring together their extensive experience to
Beyond the Bug Hunt: The Tester's Guide to Cybersecurity
Are you a software tester looking to level up your skills and protect your organization from cyber threats? In this beginner's guide to cybersecurity, host Mike Hrycyk sits down with experts David Shipley (CEO, Beauceron Security) and Joel Vautour (CSO, PLATO) to demystify the world of cybersecurity. Learn about the latest threats, discover how to stay ahead of the curve, and understand the critic
Growing Indigenous Tech
Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion as we explore the intersection of technology and Indigenous leadership. Our guest host, Ryan St. Germaine (Founder, Indigenous Tech Circle; Executive in Residence, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners), leads a conversation with Jeff Ward (Founder & CEO of Animikii), and Denis Carignan (President & C-Founder of PLATO), to discuss the role of m
Harnessing Junior Talent for Testing Success
Juniors are a critical part of building a high-performing software testing team, and this month's PLATO Panel Talks is here to explore how to leverage the potential of your whole team and create a thriving environment for growth! Our expert panel, featuring Nicole LeBlanc (Apprentice Manager, PLATO), and Jeff Peters (Chief Delivery Officer, PLATO), discuss the challenges, opportunities, and st
The 5Ws of Automation Testing
QA teams new to automation: Get started on the right foot! Automation experts Millan Kaul (Engineering Manager(QA), Kablamo Canada) and John McLaughlin (Senior Automation Architect, PLATO) join our host, Mike Hrycyk, this month and explain the 5 Ws (and an H!) of automation testing, helping you decide when, where, and how to automate for maximum impact. Learn how to free up your team and improve s
Talking the How-To's of Data Testing
This month on PLATO Panel Talks get ready to dive deep into the world of data testing! Our host, Mike Hrycyk, chats with our data testing experts Chris Wagner (Director of Data Solutions, Baker Tilly) and Deepak Ankarath (QA Manager, PLATO), who share their insights on crucial skills for data tester, specific data testing challenges like big data and ETL transformations, and strategies for ensurin
Managed Services as an Engagement Model
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, Mike Hrycyk delves into Managed Services as an engagement model with our experts Craig Fisk (Chief Growth Officer, PLATO) and Paul Holland (Principal Consultant, PLATO). With his background in selling and delivering managed services, Craig explains why a wide range of reasons, from risk mitigation to access to a wider range of expertise, might drive companies
AI and the Future of Software Testing
PLATO Panel Talks is taking on Software Testing, AI and Machine Learning with our host, Mike Hrycyk, sitting down with Sean Wilson (Senior Director, Engineering, WindRiver) and Nathaniel Couture (VP Quality Engineering at Xtract One Technologies Inc.). How does AI impact the future of the testing profession? The panellists discuss the pressing question by exploring the benefits and challenges of i
Women in Tech and the Impacts of Allyship
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, guest host Heather Stapleton (Director of the Apprenticeship Program) is taking over to dive into the crucial topic of allyship within the tech industry. We're also joined by panellists Raena Steeves, Keisha Nguyen, and Joel Vautour, as they chat about what it means to be an ally, why it's so crucial for women in tech, and navigating the complexities o
Learning and Growth in Software Testing
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, our host, Mike Hrycyk is diving into the importance of learning and growth in IT, particularly in software testing. He is joined by two panellists driving learning opportunities at PLATO Kevin Swaine, (Director - Delivery, Atlantic) and Amrit Bhattacharya, (Director - Delivery, Prairies). Together, they discuss the role of individuals and organizations in fost
Indigenous Ownership and PLATO's Mission in Tech
In this PLATO Panel Talks, our host Mike Hrycyk brings together PLATO's Founder and CEO, Keith McIntosh, and Ron Hyggen, CEO of Kitsaki Management LLP and board member of PLATO. Keith and Ron share with us how PLATO came to be and how, together with partners like Kitsaki, PLATO has been able to achieve its goal of Indigenous ownership. Keith and Ron talk to Mike about how Indigenous ownershi
Taking on Enterprise Testing
This month, PLATO Panel Talks is bringing together its panel of experts to help us better understand Enterprise Testing. Our host, Mike Hrycyk, and guest panellists, Jason Lee (Lead of Quality Engineering Practice for Deloitte Canada) and Kamal Ahuja (VP of Service Delivery, AB for PLATO) share their experiences to help answer, "what makes Enterprise Testing different from other testing proje
Is Test Automation a Silver Bullet?
PLATO Panel Talks is back for 2023, and our host Mike Hrycyk is sitting down with two returning panellists and experts in Test Automation, Jonathan Duncan, Chief Delivery Officer at PLATO Tech and Sean Wilson, Senior Director of Engineering at Wind River, to ask “is Test Automation a silver bullet?” While the panel may debate whether Automation is a silver bullet for your testing needs, they also
Introducing The PLATO Training Program pt.2
We are excited to be back this week with part 2 of PLATO Panel Talks: Introducing the PLATO Training Program. In this episode, our host Mike is chatting with two of our PLATO graduates – Michael Jamieson (Sault Ste. Marie) and Nicholas Grant (Vancouver). The graduates are now full-time members of the PLATO team and are joining us for a conversation about their experience throughout the software te
Introducing The PLATO Training Program pt.1
The PLATO Training program, which started in 2015 and has now taught and employed more than 250 Indigenous software testers, will be the topic of today's special two-part panel talk. Open to members of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, the program provides participants with the education and expertise necessary to begin a career in tech and become full-time software testers.
John
Getting Certified in Accessibility Testing
In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, our host, Mike Hrycyk, is sitting down for a one-on-one conversation with our Director of Service Delivery in Ontario, Abhishek Gupta. In the last year, Abhishek has put together a training certification for PLATO on the fundamentals of accessibility testing. Since then all PLATO employees working on accessibility testing projects have taken the certification
The Creative Art of Locators
PQA Panel is back, and our host Mike Hrycyk is sitting down with two PQA's Automation Testing Team members, Shobana Muhilan and Jordan Coughlan, to dive into using locators in automation testing. Together all three panellists share how through time and experience, they have come to find real satisfaction in the challenge and creativity of making and finding locators in automation testing.
Find
Software Testing in Lottery & Gaming
For this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, we’re excited to bring you the intro episode of a special series on software testing in the lottery and gaming industry. Our VP of Lottery and Gaming, Jennifer Rushton, is taking over as guest host to bring you panel discussions with interesting guests from across the industry to share their insights.We’re kicking things off with two of our testing experts, R
Sharing our Testing Stories
While we learn a lot from discussions of tools, concepts, and processes at PLATO Panel Talks, we think some of the best lessons come from being out in the wilds of testing and sharing the stories of our experiences with each other. So, our host Mike Hrycyk is calling in with a few of his software testing friends and asking them to share their stories from being out in the field of software testing
Making Metrics Work for Everyone
The more information we have, the better decisions we can make. That's as true in testing as it is in life, and on this episode, we are talking how teams capture that information: metrics. Join host Mike Hrycyk, along with Sean Wilson of Ubisoft and PLATO's Jonathan Duncan, as they break down which metrics really matter for the team and which ones your stakeholders will be looking at to ma
Levelling up on Accessibility Testing
We're passionate about accessibility testing and helping to create an accessible web for all. To mark both National Accessibility Week in Canada and Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Mark Pope, a Partner and Web Accessibility Specialist at Pope Tech, and Abhishek Gupta, the lead of our accessibility practice at PLATO sit down with host Mike Hrycyk to dive into how developers, designers, and
Opening the Black Box of Microservices
This month we're talking all things microservices. While they're certainly not new to the world of testing, microservices have changed the way we ensure quality for applications. Our host Mike Hrycyk sits down with Suhaim Abdussamad, host of "That's A Bug Podcast!", and PQA Senior QA Manager Matt Villeneuve to discuss how microservices impact the way we test and can make it e
Testing in 2021
To help PLATO Panel Talks kick off the new year, our host Mike Hrycyk sat down with friends of the pod Director of Quality Engineering at Slalom Build, Dr. Christin Wiedemann and Nathaniel Couture, QA Manager at Patriot One, to take a look at the future of testing in 2021. Together our panellists share their thoughts on which testing topics will be on everyone's minds this year, from AI and ma
Performance Testing in The Age of Cloud
In recent years, the process and tools used for performance testing have evolved as organizations moved to the cloud. Our host Mike Hrycyk is joined by PLATO VP of Customer Success, Jonathan Duncan and PLATO Senior Performance Tester Lakshmi Narasimhan. Together they discuss how the cloud has changed the way we test for performance, from making it faster to how automation has changed the game.
Fin
Quality in DevOps
Where does QA fit in DevOps? This month, our host, Mike Hrycyk talks with experienced DevOps experts Jonathan Duncan and Terri McAllister about what quality and testing mean in DevOps and where it fits in. The three also have a short-lived debate about how to rename the concept of DevOps to make it inclusive of developers, testers, and everyone involved in a successful software development life cy
Testing from Home
This month we’re talking about testing from home! Our host Mike Hrycyk called up Patriot One Technologies Director of Platform Quality Nathaniel Couture and PLATO's VP Customer Success Jonathan Duncan for a brainstorming session on the potential impacts to quality assurance while your teams are working from home.
The panel dives into how to manage and mitigate the quality challenges that come
Learning About Accessibility Testing
This month, our host Mike Hrycyk is joined by PLATO Delivery Manager Abhishek Gupta and two members of our accessibility testing team, PLATO's Annamalai Nachiappan and Mirjam Sharpe, to chat about accessibility testing. Together, they explore what the world of accessibility testing looks like and their clients' experiences working on it. Most importantly, they discuss the critical role acc
Automation War Stories
For our fourth episode of PLATO Panel Talks, we asked test automation experts Jim Peers, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer at OXD, and PLATO's QA Manager, John McLaughlin to join our host Mike Hrycyk. Together they reflect on their experiences working in test automation, revisit some of their automation war stories, and provide insight on the pitfalls projects can hit and how to avoid them.
Pl
Women in Testing in 2020
In honour of International Women’s Day, we want to discuss what it means to be a woman in software testing in 2020. We asked Dr. Christin Wiedemann, President of Radical I/O and passionate diversity advocate, to join us as a guest moderator and lead a discussion about the software testing experiences of individuals who identify as women. We spoke about the state of testing for women now, and where
When software testers may be the best team for the job
PQA Panel Talks is back with our second episode! This month we are bringing together PLATO Testing's Keisha Nguyen, Keith Joe, and Chris Wagner, to talk with Mike Hrycyk about their experiences working on their first content migration project. The panel also has an excellent discussion on the keys to success in content migration, and the software tester skills that made them the right team for
Discussing Shift Left, Shift Right
For the first PLATO Panel talks, we're talking with PLATO's testing experts, Mike Hrykcyk, Allyson White, Nat Couture, and Brian Doyle. In this conversation, our experts will explain how we define Shift Left and Shift Right and how they can improve your testing practices.
Please Rate & Review!
Find us at: http://platotech.com/
X: https://twitter.com/PLATOTest
Recommended
پلی لیست | PlayList
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Bad Friends
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Dateline NBC
Back to the 80s Radio
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Bible Tea
این نقطه
TED Business
Dark Night Tales with Brian King
