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Slide 1: OVERVIEW CERTIFIED SOFTWARE QUALITY ANALYST (CSQA) PROGRAM The CSQA program was developed in 1986 by leading Quality Assurance Professionals as a means of recognizing quality assurance practitioners who demonstrated a predefined level of IT Quality competency. The CSQA program is directed by an independent Certification Board and administered by the Quality Assurance Institute. The CSQA program was developed to provide value to the profession, the individual, the employer, and co-workers. Note: It is helpful in understanding the role of quality assurance to differentiate "BIG QA" from "little qa." "Little qa" is an organizational unit which is given specific job functions. "BIG QA" is focused on customer satisfaction and is practiced by anyone who has quality responsibilities. The CSQA program is directed toward "BIG QA." VALUE PROVIDED TO THE PROFESSION The role of quality assurance in IT has been, and still is in some organizations, greatly misunderstood. The role recognized by leading IT organizations is that of assuring customer satisfaction, while building an ever improving infrastructure and work processes that support enterprise goals and objectives. The CSQA program was designed to recognize quality assurance practitioners as CSQA professionals by providing: Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) Code of Ethics The successful candidate must agree to abide by a professional Code of Ethics as specified by the Certification Board. VALUE PROVIDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL The individual obtaining the CSQA certification receives these values: Recognition by Peers of Personal Desire to Improve The Certification Board defines the skills upon which quality assurance certification is based. The current CBOK includes these skill categories: 1) Quality Principles; 2) Software Development Processes; 3) Quality Models; 4) Quality Management; 5) Quality Assurance; 6) Quality Control/Testing; 7) Software Engineering (Processes); and 8) Measurement. Examination Process to Evaluate Competency Approximately, eighty percent (80%) of all CSQAs stated that a personal desire for selfimprovement and peer recognition was the main reason for obtaining the CSQA certification. Fifteen percent (15%) were required by their employer to sit for the examination; and 10% were preparing themselves for an improved quality-related position. Many CSQAs indicated that while their employer did not require CSQA certification, it was strongly encouraged. Increased Confidence in Personal Capabilities The successful candidate must pass a four-part examination (based on the CBOK) with a grade of 75%, or greater, on each part. Only 63% of the prequalified applicants pass the examination the first time, making this a prestigious certification to obtain. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the CSQAs stated that passing the examination increased their confidence to perform their job more effectively. Much of that
Slide 2: confidence came from studying for the examination. Recognition by "IT" Management for Professional Achievement Independent Assessment of Quality Assurance Competencies Most CSQAs stated that their management greatly respects those who put forth the personal effort needed for self-improvement. IT organizations recognize and reward individuals in the following ways: • Thirteen percent (13%) received an immediate average one-time bonus of $610, with a range of $250 to $2500. • Twelve percent (12%) received an immediate average salary increase of 10%, with a range of 2% to 50%. Non-monetary recognitions were: 1) thirty-six percent (36%) were recognized in staff meetings; 2) twenty percent (20%) in newsletters or email; and 3) by receiving rewards, management visits or calls, and lunch with the boss. Within the first 18 months after receipt of the CSQA certification, of the successful candidates: • Twenty-seven percent (27%) received an average salary increase of 23%, with a range of 2% to 100%. • Twenty-three percent (23%) were promoted, 25% received a better assignment and 13% a new assignment. The CSQA program is directed by a Certification Board of independent quality assurance experts. Through examination and recertification, they provide an independent assessment of the CSQA's quality assurance competencies, based on a continuously strengthening Common Body of Knowledge for quality assurance practitioners. Quality Assurance Competencies Maintained Through Recertification Yesterday's quality assurance competencies are inadequate for today's challenges. CSQA recertification is a process that helps assure the CSQA's skills remain current. The recertification process requires CSQAs to obtain 40 hours of quality assurance related training per year in topics specified by the Certification Board. From an IT director's perspective, this is employee initiated quality assurance training. Most, if not all CSQAs, do this training during their personal time. IT organizations gain three benefits from CSQA recertification: 1) employees initiate improvement; 2) quality assurance practitioners obtain competencies in quality assurance methods and techniques; and 3) employees train during personal time. VALUE PROVIDED TO THE EMPLOYER With the need for increased software quality and reliability, employing CSQAs provides value in these ways: Increased Confidence by IT Users and Customers IT users and customers expressed confidence in "IT" to effectively build or acquire software when certified quality assurance practitioners were involved. Improved Processes to Build/Acquire/Maintain, Operate and Measure Software VALUE PROVIDED TO CO-WORKERS The drive for self-improvement is a special trait that manifests itself in providing these values to co-workers: Mentoring the Testing Staff CSQAs use their knowledge and skills to continuously improve the IT work processes. CSQAs know what to measure, how to measure it, and then prepare analysis to aid in the decision-making process. Forty-five percent (45%) of the CSQAs mentor their testing colleagues by conducting training classes; encouraging staff to become certified; and acting as a resource to
Slide 3: the staff on sources of IT quality related information. Testing Resource to "IT" Staff • Creating an awareness of the CSQA Program and its benefits to your quality assurance practitioners. Requiring or encouraging your quality assurance practitioners to become certified. CSQAs are recognized as experts in quality assurance and are used heavily for advice, counseling, and for recommendations on software construction and testing. Role Model for Quality Assurance Practitioners • CSQAs are the IT role models for individuals with quality responsibilities to become more effective in performing their job responsibilities. • Recognizing and rewarding successful candidates. • Supporting recertification as a means of maintaining quality assurance competency. HOW TO IMPROVE "IT" EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH CSQA CERTIFICATION A "driver" for improved IT effectiveness is the integration of the CSQA certification program in your "IT" career development plan. This can be accomplished by: For information on the CSQA program, contact: Certification Administrator c/o Quality Assurance Institute 7575 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 350 Orlando, Florida 32819 407-472-8100 or fax 407-363-1112 E-mail: certcsqa@softwarecertifications.com How to apply to become a CSQA: Information and applications are available on Software Certifications Web Site www.softwarecertifications.com