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In the serene embrace of Lake Bohinj, surrounded by misty mountain peaks and the calm of late spring, our Engineering Insights team came together once again.

But this wasn’t just another team-building event. This one reminded us what it truly means to be in sync – not just with each other, but with our shared purpose.

A Morning with an Olympian

The day began with an unforgettable talk by Jani Klemenčič, Slovenian Olympic medalist and four-time Olympian in rowing.

With a blend of honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Jani didn’t just talk about sport — he talked about life, high-performing teams, and the mindset it takes to show up for each other every day.

What stayed with us wasn’t just his story, but the way he told it: with energy, vulnerability, and deep respect for what true teamwork looks like.

Key takeaways from his powerful message:

• “Are you in the same boat?” – It’s one thing to sit side by side, but another to row in sync, toward the same goal. True alignment isn’t assumed, it’s chosen, checked, and constantly adjusted.

• Hard work isn’t optional – There are no shortcuts to excellence. What separates good teams from great ones is consistent effort, day after day.

• “We” becomes more important than “me” – Once you’re part of a team, ego gets left on the dock. From that point on, success is about how the group moves as one.

• Trust is earned and essential – In rowing, there’s no room for doubt. That kind of trust only comes from shared struggle and mutual respect.

• Excellence is a process – Champions aren’t made in a single race. They’re built stroke by stroke, over years of showing up, failing, adapting, and trying again.

“You can’t fake your way to a high-performing team,” Jani told us. “But if you’re willing to put in the work and if you can trust the people around you – you might just fly.”

Connecting Through Nature and Challenge

After the talk, we took that energy outdoors.

Some of us kayaked across the still, glassy lake, surrounded by mountains and forest, soaking in the silence and scenery. Others hiked the steep path to Savica waterfall, a tough but rewarding climb, while a few cycled around the lake, taking in Bohinj from every angle.

The late afternoon brought well-earned rest, hearty mountain food, and slow moments shared with teammates.

Evenings That Stay With You

As night fell, the mood shifted from activity to connection. There were quiet conversations by the bar, bursts of laughter echoing into the trees, and the kind of moments you can’t plan — but which shape a team the most.

And yes, some new legends were born  Bohinj had its own version of Room 121… but we’ll save that story for another time (what happens in Room 121, stays in Room 121 ).

The Takeaway

Bohinj wasn’t just a getaway — it sharpened our focus as a team.

Jani reminded us that it’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, staying aligned, and pulling together with purpose.

On the lake or in our work, that’s how real progress happens.

One boat. One team. One direction.

Check out the gallery from our time in Bohinj.
[Click here to view the full photo gallery] and step into a few of the moments that brought us closer.

It started with a winding road through the hills of Fruška Gora, but this wasn’t just a scenic escape. In September 2024, our Team from across the Adriatic came together to pause the deadlines, close our laptops, and reconnect as people first, teammates second, and engineers third.

We didn’t know it at the time, but those few days would leave us with more than memories. They reminded us why we build together in the first place.

A Golden Start: Zorana Arunović’s Inspiring Speech

The event kicked off with a motivational talk from Zorana Arunović, Serbia’s Olympic gold medalist and a contender for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She shared her incredible journey, filled with discipline, grit, and moments of self-doubt—and offered stories that struck a chord with every one of us in the room.

Her story wasn’t just inspiring, it created a shared language of values that carried us into the rest of the weekend.

Here’s what we took away from her powerful message:

• Discipline is key. Talent alone isn’t enough; it's the daily decisions and consistency that truly lead to success. “Success is built on the choices we make every day,” she said, encouraging us to show up with commitment, even when it’s hard.
• Maintaining focus under pressure. Whether in a high-stakes competition or a demanding sprint, staying centered when the pressure builds is a skill worth cultivating.
• The power of teamwork. Even as an individual athlete, Zorana credited her coaches, family, and supporters. She emphasized that, just like at Engineering Insights, behind every individual performance stands a strong, aligned team.
• Resilience through setbacks. Her reflections on failure were deeply relatable. “What defines us is how we rise after falling,” she shared, leaving us with a renewed perspective on growth and perseverance.

From Water to Wheels: Teamwork in Motion

After Zorana’s speech, we took that energy straight into the outdoors. Kayaking tested our balance (and occasionally our dry clothes), while cycling along the winding trails rewarded our efforts with local food, laughter, and incredible views.

Later, we slowed the pace with a forest hike - no laptops, no deadlines, just space to breathe, talk, and enjoy each other's company in a different light.

The Legend of Room 121

Evenings were filled with music, spontaneous dancing, and the kinds of conversations that don’t happen in standups. Then came Room 121: our unofficial after-hours hangout. What happened there? Let’s just say it involved a Bluetooth speaker, a lot of laughter, and stories that are still being whispered across teams.

You had to be there. But maybe next time, you will be.

Why It All Matters

If you're thinking about joining Engineering Insights, this story is about more than one weekend. It reflects how we work, lead, and grow together every day.

We believe that strong teams aren’t just built around code, they’re built on trust, shared values, and human connection. That’s why we invest in these moments, and why they matter just as much as our most successful project launches.

👀 Want to see what it looked like?

Click here to view the full photo gallery and take a glimpse into life at Engineering Insights.

Aleš Manfreda, QA Architect

In today's hyper-competitive software landscape, Quality Assurance (QA) is not just a department but a philosophy that permeates every layer of organizational strategy. Here at Engineering Insights, we take pride in nurturing a culture of expertise and knowledge sharing. One key player in upholding this culture is Aleš Manfreda, a highly skilled QA Architect on our team.

Through an exhaustive interview, Aleš peeled back the layers of complexity surrounding QA, enlightening us on the intricate framework, testing types, KPIs, team collaboration, and the future vision of QA at our company.

Unpacking the Testing Framework

The Choice of Framework: Why Cypress?

Aleš Manfreda (AM): We've chosen to work with an extended and custom-modified version of the Cypress framework, integrated with TypeScript. This isn't a decision we made lightly. After rigorous analysis, we found Cypress to be incredibly fast and reliable. Most importantly, it adapts effortlessly to our specific requirements across all tiers of testing—whether it's unit, integration, or system tests.

The Three Tiers of Testing: An All-encompassing Approach

AM: One of the biggest advantages of Cypress is its adaptability. We deploy it for a wide range of testing scenarios—be it user interface testing that involves both static and interactive web elements, or REST API and Database testing. We're also utilizing it for end-to-end testing to ensure system integrity from start to finish. This adaptability makes it invaluable for multiple phases, such as system integration testing, in-sprint testing, user acceptance testing, and pre-production testing.

Striking a Balance: Manual vs. Automated Testing

AM: At present, our testing approach is approximately 80% manual and 20% automated. The rationale behind this split is not resistance to change but a calculated strategy. Manual testing still offers us the human intuition and creativity that machines can't replicate. However, to enhance efficiency, we are in the process of automating existing manual test cases.

Keeping Score: The Metrics that Matter

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

AM: In terms of performance metrics, our team focuses on a number of KPIs that go beyond mere 'pass' or 'fail' statuses. We look at Test Coverage to ensure all functional areas of a project are tested, Efficiency to gauge the speed and effectiveness of the tests, and Quality Ratio to analyze the number of passed tests against the total tests run. Additionally, we monitor Execution Time and Reliability to guarantee the tests are both fast and dependable.

Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

AM: While we have not yet fully transitioned to a CI/CD model, we're making strides by incorporating automated tests into our development pipeline. These tests serve as the first line of defense against any breaking changes, offering a safety net that accelerates the development cycle.

Team Dynamics: Structure and Collaboration

AM: We operate under a hierarchical model consisting of a QA Lead and four test engineers. The QA Lead primarily oversees planning, coordination, and implementation of quality assurance practices within the team. Each test engineer brings a unique set of skills and expertise, contributing to a well-rounded, effective unit.

Bug Reporting and Handling

AM: For bug tracking and reporting, we use Microsoft’s Azure Boards. Once a bug is documented, it’s routed to the project manager. This centralized approach enables us to prioritize issues effectively and ensures seamless communication between departments.

Synchronized Excellence: Collaborating with Other Departments

AM: We believe that quality is everyone's responsibility. Hence, our QA team works closely with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders from the earliest stages of the development cycle—starting from user story refinement through to the production release. This collaborative environment fosters a mutual understanding and creates a holistic view of the project.

Agile Methodologies: The Agile QA Team

AM: Yes, Agile is more than just a buzzword for us. The QA team is actively involved in all Agile ceremonies, including planning, daily stand-up meetings, retrospectives, and demos. This Agile-centric approach ensures that QA considerations are embedded into every stage of the development process.

Skill Development: A Future-Oriented Approach

AM: We invest in the continuous skill development of our QA engineers. The main focus is on automation, but we provide ample opportunities to learn new technologies and tools. While prior programming knowledge is desired, it's not a prerequisite. We help our engineers ramp up through structured training and mentorship programs.

Charting the Future

AM: The QA department is looking to expand and evolve into a more automation-centric role. We recognize the need to stay ahead of the curve, and automation is clearly a key part of that future vision.

Aleš Manfreda's insights offer a comprehensive picture of QA as a deeply strategic, highly collaborative, and ever-evolving discipline. As we continue to stay aligned with industry standards, it's the dedication and expertise of professionals like Aleš that keep us at the forefront of technological excellence.