When Change Exposes the Myth of “QA Will Catch It”
by: Paul DavidsonPublished on: 30/01/2026Periods of change have a way of revealing uncomfortable truths about how quality really works day to day. When roles shift or people move on, assumptions that once felt safe are suddenly tested. In this article, we reflect on a recent transition and a question many QA professionals quietly ask themselves when stepping away from a role: will the system hold, or have I unknowingly been propping it up? Drawing on lived experience from within the Headway team, we explore how responsibility for quality can gradually drift towards QA, or even towards one individual, without anyone consciously deciding that this should happen. We look at the early signs this drift is underway, why it matters even when no change is planned, and how moments of transition can be used to reset ownership rather than scramble to contain risk after the fact. If you have ever felt like the person who notices, fixes, or absorbs more than their share “because someone has to”, this piece is likely to feel familiar.
