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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Benefits of becoming a CSQA

(Source CSQA CBOK)

The CSQA program was developed to provide value to the profession, the individual, the employer, and co-workers. The following information is data collected from CSQAs in the IT industry – a real testimonial to the benefits and reasons to make the effort to become a CSQA.

Value Provided to the Profession
Software quality assurance is often viewed as a software project task, even though many individuals are full-time quality assurance professionals. The CSQA program was designed to recognize software quality assurance professionals by providing:
  • Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK)
    The Certification Board defines the skills upon which the software quality assurance certification is based. The current CBOK has 10 skill categories.
  • Examination Process to Evaluate Competency
    The successful candidate must pass a four-part examination that is based on the CBOK. You must receive a grade of 75%, or greater on each part. Only 31% of the pre-qualified applicants pass the examination the first time, making this a prestigious certification to obtain.
  • 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 the following values:

  • Recognition by Peers of Personal Desire to Improve
    Approximately, eighty percent (80%) of all CSQAs stated that a personal desire for self improvement 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.
  • Increased Confidence in Personal Capabilities
    Eighty-five percent (85%) of the CSQAs stated that passing the examination increased their confidence to perform their job more effectively
  • Recognition by IT Management for Professional Achievement
    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 $2,500.
    - Twelve percent (12%) received an immediate average salary increase of 10%, with a range of 2% to 50%.
    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.

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
    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 an analysis to aid in the decision-making process.
  • Independent Assessment of Quality Assurance Competencies
    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 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
    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 the staff on sources of IT quality related information.
  • Testing Resource to “IT” Staff
    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.

QAI, as CSQA program administrators, will assist you in this effort.
See www.qaiworldwide.org for detailed information.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

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