Every group needs a leader, and every big group needs a team of leaders. Here at United Virtualities, our QA Lead of Digital is Damian Carrizo, who joined us the same year that “alternative facts” became the quote of the year for the Yale Book of Quotations.
Damian doesn’t accept “alternative” facts. He deals with stone cold facts; he faces reality with an iron-clad capability to question everything and get to the core of how things work. Who else would you have in charge of your QA?
We set down with Damian recently, and we caught up with each other during these contactless days. Here are the highlights.
What role did you start in at UV?
I started working at UV as a freelancer. At the time we didn’t have a big QA team. After a while the higher-ups liked how I worked and offered me a full-time position. I became a proper member of the UV crew and continued to work in QA. I’m aware that it’s a big role that I have and I love it.
Can you tell me a bit about your nickname?
Yea sure! My nickname is Tutorrizo, which comes from the fact that, back in the day, I used to make a ton of tutorials. In Spanish it is the same word, tutorial, which merges with my last name, Carrizo, to create Tuto-rizo. Clever, hey?
Can you share a little tip or trick that you use to make clients love working with you?
What I have noticed is that clients respond incredibly well to my proactivity. As an example, I constantly suggest changes to clients which I think would work well and make things perform better. I do see it as part of my job, but I think it mostly comes from my passion for the work. If you’ve got intrinsic motivation, your work is easier. I don’t care whether the client is niche and small or huge, I put in the same effort. I always go deep.
Besides work, what do you have a passion for?
Piano. It’s an instrument that I found when I was 26 or 27 years old. I may have been a late starter but I love finding new things and learning them. Back in the day I played the guitar. But once I fell in love with the sound of the piano, it’s the only instrument for me. And I’m as detailed focused when I play as I am when I’m testing. When I learn a song, I learn it pixel perfect.
And the artist that inspires me the most? Of course it’s the legendary Charly Garcia. He’s my muse. I love playing Bienvenidos el Tren.
Do you have a favorite UV client?
The client I loved most working with — so far — was Epee Learning. They’re great! Every suggestion we had for them fit ideally with them. They were very open to our suggestions and really into our specific work, which of course we were super happy about.
What’s your best “aha” moment?
There was a time when we worked with TMS, who in turn works with McDonalds. We were testing a contest in which the core part of it was that you had to scan a happy meal to earn points. We managed to get all of this done in less than 24 hours. The results? 500,000 people used it — and there were no issues! That put a smile on my face for a while, I can’t lie.
And what about your most challenging moment?
The most challenging moment for me since I started was when I was asked to “build” the QA area. Before I arrived there wasn’t anyone doing QA. So building it from the ground up was a big challenge, and one that I enjoyed overcoming. We now have standardized documentation, proper processes, tools etc.
An added challenge that stemmed from the first was training people down to the technical details as well as the projects that we have. But I embrace challenges when they arrive to me. The easy life is not for me.
Do you have any advice for future UVers?
I do! If you’re ready to get the most out of your abilities, and want to get involved with modern tech and modern ways of working, they should come aboard!
