Testing, more than programming, is filled with specialists. Performance, Data Quality, Automation, Process, I18N, Risk, etc., etc., etc.. Having people who can do many different roles effectively though makes for a stronger team in a sum is stronger than the whole kinda way.

Baseball is very similar. Player X is a left fielder, player Y is a short-stop. And most teams are structured in this way. But there is also the idea of a Utility player who can play a couple positions depending on the circumstance. Here is a blurb by Dan Shulman from the radio today which sparks this link of thought.

You know, versatility is a very useful thing. Tony La Russa uses it to a tremendous amount with the St. Louis Cardinals. And the Boston Red Sox have discovered the value of versatility this year. Victor Martinez can catch or play first, Kevin Youkilis can play 1st or play 3rd. There is something to be said for having 11 guys and having 3 or 4 who can play multiple positions because then you’ve got some insurance.

Dan also touches on an important part of built in a team like this. You don’t want to have all people on the team being utility players. There are some roles you really want to have an expert. Security and Automation pop out immediately as roles that I would much rather have a specialist than generalist in.