I was recently given the opportunity to be a judge for the European Software Testing Awards, now in their 9th year. They’re an independent programme recognising excellence across the European testing community, covering 14 categories across teams, projects and innovation, culminating in a ceremony in London.
Having been through the process, I wanted to share some thoughts on what makes a strong submission — and what doesn’t. These won’t save a weak idea, but in a close field they can make the difference.
Use the Right Category
Don’t spread yourself thin by entering everything with the same generic content. Focus on the categories your work genuinely fits, and tailor each submission accordingly. Quality over quantity every time.
Use the Criteria
Every category has listed criteria — use them. Make 100% sure you address each one as fully as possible. These are exactly what judges will score against. One useful approach is to structure your submission with the criteria as headings, so it’s clear you’ve covered everything and judges can find what they need quickly.
Use Sentences
This might sound obvious, but bullet points aren’t a substitute for narrative. Using sentences really helps judges understand the story of what you did and why it mattered. Organise your content into readable paragraphs — it’s much easier to assess.
Use a Name
Company identities are often redacted during judging to reduce bias, which means entries can end up being referred to generically. Give your submission a name. It makes it easier for judges to reference and remember — and it signals that you’ve thought about the entry as a piece of work in its own right.
Use Constraint
An entry that tries to cover everything often ends up covering nothing well. Stay focused on the specific category you’re entering and resist the temptation to pad it out. Diluting your core value proposition helps no one.
Use Words
Don’t assume judges know your internal acronyms or industry shorthand. Spell out abbreviations early in your submission. An unexplained initialism is just a speed bump — and you don’t want judges having to guess what you actually did.
Use Data
Demonstrate your success with measurable evidence. What improved? By how much? Data shows value; assertions don’t. If you can quantify the impact of your work, do it.
None of this is rocket science, but it’s surprising how many entries miss the basics. The ideas are what matter most — but the presentation makes sure those ideas get the credit they deserve.