Quality Assurance Institute (QAI): The Four W’s of Software Certification

By Harmony Brenner

Agenda

• The Four W’s:– Who?– What?– Where?– Why?

• Additional Questions

History

• Who is QAI?– The Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) was

founded in the USA in 1980.– They now offer membership in a worldwide

organization and have affiliated chapters all over the world.

– Corporate website location: http://www.qaiglobalinstitute.com/

Purpose

• What is their purpose?– Objective: provide leadership in improving

quality, productivity, and effective solutions for process management.

– Offerings consist of training, seminars, conferences, and assessments.

– QA certifications are also available.

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

• Professional Certifications – Divided into subgroups:

• Software Quality• Software Testing• Project Management• Process Engineering• Business Analyst

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

Software Quality Certifications – Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ)

– Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)

– Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ)

• This is an Advanced certification level.

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

Software Testing Certifications – Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)

– Certified Software Tester (CSTE)

– Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)

• This is an Advanced certification level.

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

Project Management Certification– Certified Software Project Manager (CSPM)

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

Process Engineering Certifications

– Certified Software Process Engineer (CSPE)

– Certified Quantitative Software Process Engineer (CQSPE)

QAI Certifications

• See http://www.softwarecertifications.org/

Business Analyst Certification

– Certified Software Business Analyst (CSBA)

Quick Certification Path

• Satisfy all applicant Prerequisites.

• Subscribe to the Code of Ethics.

• Pass a comprehensive written examination.

• Complete prerequisite certifications (if applicable, for Advanced certifications).

CASQ Prerequisites

• Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet

one of these three prerequisites: • A 3-year degree or 4-year degree from an accredited

college-level institution;• A 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 1 year experience in the information services field; or• Three years experience in the information services field.

• Key difference – work requirement optional

CSQA Prerequisites

• Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must be

currently working in the field,

or

have worked at any time within the prior 18 months, in the field within covered by the certification designation.

CSQA Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) Prerequisites:– In addition, one of these four prerequisites must

be met: • 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 2 years experience in the information services field; • 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 3 years experience in the information services field; • 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 4 years experience in the information services field; or• Six years experience in the information services field.

CMSQ Prerequisites

• Certified Manager in Software Quality (CMSQ) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet

these prerequisites: • Currently hold an active CSQA Certification. • Be working in the field covered by the certification designation. • Have the experience to demonstrate mastery of the skills

identified in the current Software Testing Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK).

• Be prepared to submit documentation that supports described real-world experience in the software quality field.

• Be prepared to take the required manager’s level examination.

CMSQ Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Manager in Software Quality (CMSQ) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must also

meet one of these additional prerequisites: • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college-level

institution plus a minimum of four years experience in the software quality assurance field;

• An associate degree plus a minimum of six years of experience in the software quality assurance field; or

• Eight years of experience in the software quality assurance field.

CAST Prerequisites

• Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) Prerequisites:

– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of three prerequisites: • 3-year degree or 4-year degree from an accredited

college-level institution; • 2-year degree from an accredited college-level

institution and 1 year experience in the information services field; or

• Three years experience in the information services field.

• Key difference – work requirement optional

CSTE Prerequisites

• Certified Software Tester (CSTE) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must be

currently working in the field,

or

have worked at any time within the prior 18 months, in the field within covered by the certification designation.

CSTE Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Software Tester (CSTE) Prerequisites:

– In addition, one of these four prerequisites must be met:

• 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 2 years experience in the information services field;

• 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field;

• 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field; or

• Six years experience in the information services field.

CMST Prerequisites

• Certified Manager in Software Testing (CMST) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must

meet these prerequisites: • Currently hold an active CSTE Certification. • Be working in the field covered by the certification designation. • Have the experience to demonstrate mastery of the skills

identified in the current Software Testing Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK).

• Be prepared to submit documentation that supports described real-world experience in the software testing field.

• Be prepared to take the required manager’s level examination.

CMST Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Manager in Software Testing (CMST) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must

also meet one of these additional prerequisites: • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college-level

institution plus a minimum of four years experience in the software testing field;

• An associate degree plus a minimum of six years of experience in the software testing field; or

• Eight years of experience in the software testing field.

CSPM Prerequisites

• Certified Software Project Manager (CSPM) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must be

currently working in the field,

or

have worked at any time within the prior 18 months, in the field within covered by the certification designation.

CSPM Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Software Project Manager (CSPM) Prerequisites:– In addition, one of these four prerequisites must be

met: • 4-year degree from an accredited college-level

institution and 2 years experience in the information services field;

• 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field;

• 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field; or

• Six years experience in the information services field.

CSPE Prerequisites

• Certified Software Process Engineer (CSPE) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet

one of four prerequisites: • 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution; • 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 1 year experience in the information services field;• 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 2 years experience in the information services field; or • Three years experience in the information services field.

• Key difference – work requirement optional

CQSPE Prerequisites

• Certified Quantitative Software Process Engineer (CQSPE) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet

one of five prerequisites: • 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution;• 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 1 years experience in the information services field; • 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 2 years experience in the information services field; • Three years experience in the information services field; or • Has a current CSPE certification.

• Key difference – work requirement optional

CSBA Prerequisites

• Certified Business Analyst (CSBA) Prerequisites:– To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must be

currently working in the field,

or

have worked at any time within the prior 18 months, in the field within covered by the certification designation.

CSBA Prerequisites (cont.)

• Certified Business Analyst (CSBA) Prerequisites:– In addition, one of these four prerequisites must

be met: • 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution

and 2 years experience in the information services field;

• 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field;

• 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field; or

• Six years experience in the information services field.

Track Comparisons

Comparisons of certification prerequisites:

Software Quality Track

Track Comparisons

Comparisons of certification prerequisites:

Software Testing Track

Track Comparisons

Comparisons of certification prerequisites:

Process Engineering Track

How to Prepare

• Where can I obtain certification?– Software QA certification preparation can

be done in a variety of ways:• Home study / Work (OJT)• Online tutorials• Classroom study• Combination of many efforts

– Examinations are scheduled worldwide.

Staying Active

Certification requires ongoing involvement.• Certified professionals are generally expected to:

– Attend professional conferences to stay aware of activities and professional trends;

– Take education and training courses to continually update skills and competencies;

– Develop and offer training to share knowledge and skills with other professionals and the public;

– Publish information in order to disseminate personal, project, and research experiences; and

– Participate in the profession through active committee memberships and formal special interest groups.

Certification Benefits

• Why should I consider certification?– Value Provided to the Profession– Value Provided to the Individual– Value Provided to the Employer– Value Provided to Co-Workers

Value to Profession

• Certified professionals bring value to their profession by providing:– Increased recognition for the standards in

their chosen field;– Standardized measurements of

demonstrated abilities; and– Opportunities to solidify skills by

publishing, teaching or leading others as required to maintain certification eligibility.

Value to Individual

• Certified professionals bring value to themselves by providing:– Self-direction in their chosen career path;– Motivation for further study; and– An environment that encourages pursuit of

continuous improvement in their field.

Value to Employer

• Certified professionals bring value to their employer by providing:– Verifiable and quantitative credentials to

use when recruiting new staff;– Demonstrated dedication in pursuing

additional professional development, usually on personal time; and

– A basis for leadership opportunities.

Value to Co-Workers

• Certified professionals bring value to other employees by providing:– Mentoring opportunities;– Sharing the training and professional

development they pursue; and,– Bringing standardized processes and tools

learned through certification into the workplace.

Questions?

• Contact the author, Harmony Brennerthrough LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/harmonybrenner